FEI Relaxes “No-Blood” Rule in Equestrian Competitions
Teh World Equestrian Federation (FEI) has amended its long-standing “no-blood” rule, permitting horses to compete with traces of blood, provided veterinary approval is granted. The decision, made during the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong last Friday, passed with a significant majority of 56 votes to 20.
Previously, any visible blood on a horse during competition resulted in immediate disqualification. Supporters of the rule change argued that minor traces of blood can often be attributed to innocuous causes, such as superficial abrasions, bridle irritation, or accidental self-injury like a tongue bite.
Under the revised guidelines, a veterinarian on-site will assess the source of the blood and determine whether it poses a threat to the horse’s welfare. If the vet deems the bleeding to be minor and not indicative of a serious injury, the horse will be permitted to continue competing.The FEI maintains that horse welfare remains the paramount concern and that the new rule is not intended to encourage competition with injured animals.This change aims to differentiate between superficial incidents and those that genuinely compromise a horse’s well-being.