FEI Pony Measuring

Last reviewed: 10/07/2024

From January 2020, all ponies competing in FEI competitions must have an FEI measured certificate in their national passports.

A pony's regulatory height at the withers must not exceed:  

• 148cm without shoes (any measurement between 148.1cm and 148.9cm will be rounded down to 148cm);
• 149cm with shoes (any measurement between 149.1cm and 149.9cm will be rounded down to 149cm).

When a new pony is registered on the FEI database, they must be measured at an official FEI measuring session. Measured in ponies will receive a FEI measuring certificate according to their age – ponies eight years or older will receive a lifetime certificate, while ponies younger than eight years will receive a 15 months interim certificate and they must be remeasured once it expires to optain the lifetime certificate. 

Ponies can attend a measuring session in any country, but they are not be allowed to be measured by an FEI measuring vet from the national federation under which the pony is registered. This is taken into account at all UK measuring sessions.

Pony measuring is administered by the FEI Veterinary Department, which determines and maintains a calendar of FEI Measuring Sessions in conjunction with National Federations, appoints the Measuring Veterinarians and provides FEI approved measuring equipment. All measuring sessions are carried out at a measuring station, which is run in accordance with FEI regulations and requirements. British Showjumping run the administration side of the session on behalf of British Equestrian.

Pony Measuring is carried out using FEI-approved measuring sticks, which are calibrated and certified by the designated weights and measures approving body every three years, or using any other FEI approved measuring equipment. 

For the purpose of the application of the EADCM Regulations to a Horse attending a Pony Measurement, a Horse shall be considered as being “In-Competition” from the time of its arrival at the Pony Measurement Station until its departure from the Pony Measurement Station following completion of the Pony Measurement process (including all related paperwork) and EADCMP testing (where applicable) (the “Pony Measurement Period”). Ponies may therefore get tested by a FEI Testing Veterinarian. In addition to the consequences foreseen for violation of the EAD Rules and/or the ECM Rules under the EADCM Regulations, a violation of the EAD Rules and/or ECM Rules in connection with a test taken at a Pony Measurement may, at the discretion of the FEI, lead to the invalidation of the results of the relevant Pony Measurement.

FEI official vets may take DNA samples of any or all ponies – such samples will not be used for purposes other than identification of the pony.

Further information regarding FEI Pony Measuring can be found in Chapter IX of the 2024 Veterinary Regulations. Rules are subject to change but the latest copy can be found here: 

2024 Veterinary Regulations

WHAT DO I NEED FOR MY PONY TO BE MEASURED?

Your pony must hold a current FEI registration at the time of pony measuring. You must bring your national passport – your pony will not be measured unless you present your national passport, which will be used to check your pony’s identification.

What do I need to know prior to a pony measuring session?

HOW IS MEASURING CARRIED OUT?

Pony measuring is carried out using FEI-approved measuring sticks that are calibrated and certified by the designated weights and measures approving body on an annual basis, or using any other FEI approved measuring equipment.  Two FEI measuring veterinarians will undertake the process.

WILL I BE ABLE TO WALK MY PONY BEFORE MY SESSION?

Ponies may be walked in hand prior to your session in the designated area.

CAN I BRING ANOTHER PONY AS A COMPANION?

Ponies may be accompanied by a companion horse or pony during measuring. There will be no stabling available for your companion.

WHAT ARE THE VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PONIES ARRIVING TO BE MEASURED AT THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE?

All ponies attending the National Training Centre must have completed their primary equine influenza vaccination course in line with the FEI. A booster vaccination must have been administered in the six months prior to attending.

WILL THERE BE AN AREA TO TROT UP/LUNGE MY PONY BEFORE THE SESSION COMMENCES?

Yes. When you have your booking confirmed, you will be provided with a site map plan for the lunging area.  All ponies will be trotted up before the measuring takes place on a hardstanding surface.

WHO SHOULD PRESENT MY PONY?

Ponies should normally be presented by the person responsible (PR), or their representative. FEI General Regulations Article 118.3. state that no more than two people will be able to accompany the pony during measuring –this must be the PR and/or their representative and one other person. The individual presenting must be at least 16 years of age.

WILL I BE ABLE TO TAKE A PHOTO/VIDEO OF MY PONY BEING MEASURED?

Any person obstructing or interfering with the pony measuring procedure, which may include but is not restricted to photography or videography, will be instructed to leave the measuring area.

HOW LONG WILL THE MEASURING TAKE?

The maximum presentation time for the measurement is 10 minutes per pony. In the event of a pony failing to relax sufficiently to be measured, the PR may request a 20-minute presentation time at the next measurement session, subject to approval by the FEI Veterinary Department.

You will be asked that you leave the venue as soon as you can once your measurement session has taken place.

WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS IF MY PONY MEASURES OUT?

If a pony measures out, it's blocked from entering in any FEI pony competition and registered as a horse if required. It can be re-measured once during the same year at another measuring session, and once a year in the two following consecutive years. In total, it may be measured four times in three consecutive years. If the pony measures out, there will be no further measuring at that session. The pony will have to be presented at another measuring session during the same year or later on.         

WILL THERE BE A FEI REPRESENTATIVE ATTENDING?

Where possible, an FEI representative will attend the entire pony measuring session. However, the non-attendance of an FEI representative for the entire pony measuring session will not invalidate the measurements taken. A minimum of three stewards will be appointed to facilitate the measuring and safety of all participants.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT A PONY MEASURING SESSION?

HOW SHOULD MY PONY BE PRESENTED?

• The pony must be in a good physical condition (e.g. appropriate length of hooves and not foot sore), as determined by the measuring vets.
• The pony must be free of any substances included on the equine prohibited substances list.
• In the event of the pony not being in good physical condition, or if any of the provisions listed in the section below, the measuring veterinarians can refuse to measure the pony.
• All rugs bandages and tack (excluding bridle or headcollar) must be removed.
• The pony must be presented in a controlled and safe manner, which normally requires a bridle or headcollar.
• The pony must stand for measuring on a loose rein.
• Any equipment used for a pony’s presentation must be in accordance with the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse and is at the discretion of the measuring vets.
• The pony must be allowed to hold their head and body in a natural position, with their cannon bones vertical and in a normal stance.
• The pony must be standing squarely, weightbearing on all four limbs and be allowed to relax before measuring is attempted.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PONY MEASURING SESSION?

1. The measuring vets will verify your pony’s identification against their passport and microchip number where possible.
2. The measuring vets will assess the appearance of your pony's withers for abnormalities. Ponies with abnormal withers will not be accepted for measuring.
3. Each measuring vet successively measures your pony at the highest point of the withers, which is immediately above the spinous process (usually) of the fifth thoracic vertebra – this should be identified by palpation if necessary before any measurements are taken.
4. Should the two measurements differ, the lower height is used.
5. Following measuring, the pony is declared as either having:
   a) “measured in” and is therefore permitted to compete; or
   b) “measured out”.

CAN A MEASURING VETERINARIAN REFUSE TO MEASURE MY PONY?

Yes, a measuring veterinarian can refuse to measure your pony for the following reasons:

• The PR or other representative or additional handler interferes with or obstructs the measuring vets’ work (e.g. by influencing the natural stance and posture of the pony).
• The PR or other representative exerts unnecessary force or uses a method perceived to affect the pony’s measurement, impact its welfare or be injurious.
• The pony is deemed not measurable (e.g. unrestful or trained to lower its natural height).
• There is doubt or evidence that the pony’s withers, or any part in that anatomical region, may have been interfered with so as to artificially lower the pony’s height.
• The pony is sweating or breathing abnormally due to intense exercise.
• The pony has sore feet.
• The pony is lame.
• The pony is in poor condition.
• The pony shows signs of being sedated – in such cases the pony should always be sampled for EADCM.

The measuring veterinarians will mark and sign the pony’s passport, on the identification page, stating the date, and the words “Refusal to Measure” and reason for the refusal in red pen.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF THE MEASURING VETERINARIANS SUSPECT ABNORMALITIES TO MY PONY'S WITHER? 

The Measuring Veterinarians assess the appearance of the withers for abnormalities.  If the Measuring Veterinarians have a doubt about the shape of the withers:

a) The pony will be measured;
b) A steward and/or a Measuring Veterinarian will accompany the pony in order to have its withers radiographed on site during the measuring session;
c) The Measuring Veterinarian will state “Refusal to measure” in the pony’s passport;
d) The radiographs will be sent to a panel of expert veterinarians appointed by the FEI;
e) In case the panel concludes that the withers shape is normal and the pony had measured in during the measuring session, a measuring certificate will be stuck on top of the statement “Refusal to measure”;
f) In case the panel concludes that the withers shape is abnormal, the pony will be definitely changed to “horse” in the FEI database and not allowed to represent to a measuring session.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PONY MEASURES OUT?

You will be notified if your pony measures out. The pony will not be allowed to be re-measured on the day. Your national federation will be notified, and your pony will be blocked from entering in any FEI pony competition; and registered as a horse.

CAN MY PONY BE RE-MEASURED IF IT IS MEASURED OUT?

Your pony can be re-measured once during the same year at another measuring session. It can be measured once a year in the two following consecutive years. In total it may be measured four times in three consecutive years.

WHERE WILL THE CONFIRMED HEIGHT BE NOTED?

The measuring veterinarians will put a remark in the passport: with shoes /without shoes, on the identification page of your national passport.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IF MY PONY MEASURES IN?

Once your pony measures in, a sticker will need to be stuck to the identity pages of your pony’s national passport. Once it is measured in, you will be eligible to compete at FEI competitions.

HOW LONG WILL THE CERTIFICATE LAST?

Measured in ponies will receive a FEI Measuring Certificate according to their age. Ponies eight years or older will receive a lifetime certificate, ponies younger than eight years will receive a 15 month interim certificate.

CAN I BE EADCM-TESTED AT THE PONY MEASURING SESSION?

Yes. Horses attending pony measurements are subject to testing under the EADCM Regulations.

For the purpose of the application of the EADCM Regulations to a horse attending a pony measurement session, a horse shall be considered as being “in-competition” from the time of its arrival at the pony measurement station until its departure from the pony measurement station following completion of the measurement process (including all related paperwork) and EADCMP testing (where applicable) (the “pony measurement period”).

In addition to the consequences foreseen for violation of the EAD Rules and/or the ECM Rules under the EADCM Regulations, a violation of the EAD Rules and/or ECM Rules in connection with a test taken at a pony measurement session may, at the discretion of the FEI, lead to the invalidation of the results of the relevant pony measurement

What are the rules regarding the height of driving ponies?

• Driving Ponies in Pairs and Four-in-Hands may not be less than 108 cm without shoes, or 109 cm with shoes.
• Single Ponies must not be less than 120cms without shoes, 121cms with shoes.  
• Ponies competing in CAI1*, CAI2* and CAI3* Events of all classes and Athlete categories may compete without an Interim or Lifetime Measuring Certificate. In such Events the TD may request that a Pony that is suspected to exceed the regulatory height is measured at a Measuring Session within the same calendar year. If the Pony is “measured in” at that Measuring Session, the Pony must then be issued with an FEI Interim or Lifetime Measuring Certificate in order to continue competing as a Pony.  
• Any Ponies suspected to exceed the regulatory height are permitted to compete until they have been measured at a Measuring Session. If the Pony is Measured Out, it can no longer compete as a Pony. 
• Ponies competing in CAIOs and Championships require an Interim or Lifetime Measuring Certificate to compete in these Events. 

WHERE CAN I FIND A LIST OF FEI PONY MEASURING SESSIONS? 

A list of FEI pony measuring sessions can be found using the following links: 

PONY MEASUREMENT SESSIONS

PONY MEASURING CALENDAR

STILL NEED SOME HELP?

General questions regarding pony measuring: Please contact British Equestrian on 02476 313 434.

Specific logistical queries about a session you are booked on: Please email trainingcentre@britishshowjumping.co.uk.