Monday, 05 July 2021
The Federation Equestré International (FEI) has issued a reminder to all international competitors that, from 1 July, there will be a penalty of disqualification (not being able to compete) for any athlete and horse combination where it is found that the horse has had its sensory hairs clipped or shaved. This is per the FEI Veterinary Regulations Article 1004 (prohibited methods), which was unanimously voted for at the FEI General Assembly in 2020.
The ruling applies to all FEI competitions from 1 July 2021, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
The full extract from the FEI Veterinary Regulations Article 1004 (prohibited methods) in question reads:
Horses are not permitted to compete in FEI Events:
i) if the Horse’s sensory hairs have been clipped and/or shaven or in any other way removed unless individual sensory hairs have been removed by a veterinarian to prevent pain or discomfort for the Horse. Areas of hair that must be clipped, shaven or removed to allow veterinary treatment are exempt from this rule. As of 1 July 2021, Sanction 39 in Annex VI will be applicable.
The FEI Veterinary Regulations 14th edition, effective 1 January 2021 are available here.