Code of Conduct

The FEI Code of Conduct for the welfare of the horses

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) expects all those involved in
international equestrian sport to adhere to the FEI’s Code of Conduct and to
acknowledge and accept that at all times the welfare of the horse must be paramount
and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

1.

At all stages during the preparation and training of competition horses,
welfare must take precedence over all other demands.
a) Good horse management
Stabling, feeding and training must be compatible with good horse management
and must not compromise welfare. Any practices which could cause physical or
mental suffering, in or out of competition, will not be tolerated.
b) Training methods
Horses must only undergo training that matches their physical capabilities and
level of maturity for their respective disciplines. They must not be subjected to
any training methods which are abusive or cause fear or for which they have not
been properly prepared.
c) Farriery and tack
Foot care and shoeing must be of a high standard. Tack must be designed and
fitted to avoid the risk of pain or injury.
d) Transport
During transportation, horses must be fully protected against injuries and other
health risks. Vehicles must be safe, well ventilated, maintained to a high
standard, disinfected regularly and driven by competent staff. Competent
handlers must always be available to manage the horses.
e) Transit
All journeys must be planned carefully, and horses allowed regular rest periods
with access to food and water in line with current FEI guidelines.

2.

Horses and competitors must be fit, competent and in good health before
they are allowed to compete.
a) Fitness and competence
Participation in competition must be restricted to fit horses and competitors of
proven competence.
b) Health status
No horse showing symptoms of disease, lameness or other significant ailments
or pre-existing clinical conditions should compete or continue to compete when to do so would compromise its welfare. Veterinary advice must be sought
whenever there is any doubt.
c) Medication
Abuse of medication is a serious welfare issue and will not be tolerated. After
any veterinary treatment, sufficient time must be allowed for full recovery before
competition.
d) Surgical procedures
Any surgical procedures that threaten a competing horse’s welfare or the safety
of other horses and/or competitors must not be allowed.
e) Pregnant/recently foaled mares
Mares must not compete after their fourth month of pregnancy or with foal at
foot.
f) Misuse of aids
Abuse of a horse using natural riding aids or artificial aids (e.g. whips, spurs
etc.) will not be tolerated.

3.

Events must not prejudice horse welfare.
a) Competition areas
Horses must only be trained and compete on suitable and safe surfaces. All
obstacles must be designed with the safety of the horse in mind.
b) Ground surfaces
All ground surfaces on which horses walk, train or compete must be designed
and maintained to reduce factors that could lead to injuries. Particular attention
must be paid to the preparation, composition and upkeep of surfaces.
c) Extreme weather
Competitions must not take place in extreme weather conditions if the welfare
or safety of the horse may be compromised. Provision must be made for cooling
horses quickly after competing in hot or humid conditions.
d) Stabling at events
Stables must be safe, hygienic, comfortable, well ventilated and of sufficient
size for the type and disposition of the horse. Clean, good quality and
appropriate feed and bedding, fresh drinking water, and washing-down water
must always be available.
e) Fitness to travel
After competition, a horse must be fit to travel in accordance with the FEI’s
guidelines.

4.

Every effort must be made to ensure that horses receive proper attention
after they have competed and that they are treated humanely when their
competition careers are over.
a) Veterinary treatment
Veterinary expertise must always be available at an event. If a horse is injured
or exhausted during a competition, the competitor must dismount and a
veterinarian must check the horse.
b) Referral centres
Wherever necessary, the horse should be collected by ambulance and
transported to the nearest relevant treatment centre for further assessment and
therapy. Injured horses must be given full supportive treatment before transport.
c) Competition injuries
The incidence of injuries sustained in competition should be monitored. Ground
surface conditions, frequency of competitions and any other risk factors should
be examined carefully to indicate ways to minimise injuries.
d) Euthanasia
If injuries are sufficiently severe the horse may need to be euthanased by a
veterinarian as soon as possible on humane grounds and with the sole aim of
minimising suffering.
e) Retirement
Every effort should be made to ensure that horses are treated sympathetically
and humanely when they retire from competition.
f) The FEI urges all those involved in equestrian sport to attain the
highest possible levels of education in their areas of expertise relevant to
the care and management of the competition horse.
This Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse may be modified from time to time
and the views of all are welcomed. Particular attention will be paid to new research
findings and the FEI encourages further funding and support for welfare studies.
Rev04/041002/ajh