Uppbindning av hästA Step Back or a Prank? FEI’s Controversial Blood Rule Change
06
Nov
Nov
At Equimade, the safety and welfare of horses are at the heart of everything we do. But recently, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) stunned the equestrian world with a proposal that left many wondering: Is this a step back for horse welfare – or a bad joke?
The FEI’s move to relax the long-standing “blood rule” in showjumping has sparked widespread concern among horse people and welfare advocates. What has long been a clear safeguard against suffering may now become a grey area open to interpretation.
What Is the Blood Rule?
Since its inception, the FEI’s blood rule has served as a simple, essential safeguard in showjumping:
-
- If a horse bleeds visibly from the mouth or flanks during competition, the athlete is immediately eliminated.
This rule embodies a fundamental principle – the welfare of the horse must always come first.
The Proposed Change – From Elimination to Warning
Under the FEI’s proposed revision:
-
- Visible blood would no longer lead to automatic elimination.
- It could instead be treated as an administrative warning, with the horse permitted to continue after a veterinary check.
- Riders would face penalties only after multiple infractions within a twelve-month period.
At first glance, it may sound like a technical adjustment – but its implications for horse welfare are anything but minor.
Why the Concern?
This change is widely seen as a retrograde step for horse welfare, undermining the principle that “the welfare of the horse is paramount.” Allowing horses to compete with visible injuries normalizes bit and spur-related trauma, compromising the horse’s physical and mental well-being.
Research highlights that oral injuries caused by bits are painful and often invisible to the naked eye. By the time bleeding appears, serious trauma has already occurred. Easing enforcement risks horses continuing to perform in pain, with inadequate veterinary protocols to catch internal injuries.
A Moment of Reflection
Ask yourself:“How would it feel if I were the horse bleeding?”
This question isn’t rhetorical – it’s a reminder to see the issue through the horse’s eyes, not just the rulebook’s.
Beyond One Rule: The Bigger Picture
The tightening of competition demands and the use of increasingly harsh equipment compound the risks. Hyper-technical courses require absolute control, often exerted through bits and restrictive nosebands, amplifying rein pressure and injury potential.
The FEI’s proposal overlooks growing research and expert advice calling for stricter, not looser, welfare standards. It also contradicts the precautionary principle – when in doubt, protect the horse.
What Experts Say?
The Honorary President at International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), Dr Kate Fenner, has issued a strong statement opposing the FEI’s proposed blood rule change in showjumping, calling it “a retrograde step for horse welfare.”
ISES highlights that visible bleeding is clear evidence of tissue damage and pain caused often by bits and other equipment. They emphasize this change disregards decades of scientific research on equine pain and injury. Moreover, it conflicts with part of:
ISES’s Training Principle One, which prioritizes avoiding methods or equipment by minimising the risk of causing pain, distress or injury.
The proposal could normalize competition under conditions that tolerate bit-induced trauma and equestrian welfare standards + undermining public trust.
The well-written article “The FEI’s new blood rule: Can we afford to jump backwards?” by Cristina Wilkins, further details these concerns. It critiques how the new rule downgrades bleeding from immediate elimination to only a warning after veterinary approval, accepting the risk horses continue competing while injured.
The article references a comprehensive PhD thesis by Finnish veterinarian and equine welfare researcher Dr. Kati Tuomola, in which veterinarians, their assistants, trainers and grooms were shown photographs depicting bit-related oral injuries in horses.
When asked whether they would allow the horse to start in an important competition under those conditions, veterinarians and their assistants were statistically the most likely to say yes, while grooms were the least likely to approve.
This gap underscores the need for clearer standards – not weaker ones.
Equimade’s Stand
At Equimade, we firmly believe that blood on a horse competing or handling is unacceptable – there is no room for it in modern equestrian sport.
If a horse is bleeding, the welfare of that horse is compromised, and continuing to compete is a failure of care and respect. Human selfishness and the desire to perform should never come at the cost of a horse’s wellbeing.
The rules governing visible blood must be unambiguous and strictly enforced by judges and stewards.
It cannot be a grey area that officials interpret differently – a place for loopholes or excuses. Clear, practical guidelines are needed so everyone knows exactly what to do. This is about clarity and fairness that protect horses first and foremost.
We see many old-fashioned traditions still lingering that do not serve the best interest of horses today. A lot of outdated rules may have origins in military use or historical practices, but modern society demands much higher standards.
Our responsibility is to prevent accidents and injuries before they happen – not to accept blood as an consequence.
At Equimade, safety and horse welfare are not a reflection – they are the starting point. Horses are sentient athletes deserving of care and protection. We must all work together – with grooms, riders, trainers, farriers, veterinarians, equitherapists, judges, stewards and other titels and organisations – to reflect more and ensure that welfare standards are clear, consistent and effectively enforced. Only then can horse sport flourish with integrity and true partnership between horse and human.
Protecting Public Trust = Protecting Horses
Public trust is essential for the future of equestrian sport.
People outside the equestrian world expect transparency, clear rules and consistent enforcement when it comes to animal welfare.
Strong public trust depends on showing, not just saying, that horse wellbeing always comes first.
If the broader community perceives that we tolerate uncertainty, loopholes, or indifference to visible injuries, that trust can quickly erode.
Maintaining society’s confidence means choosing openness, listening to outside perspectives and setting standards that go beyond what is convenient or traditional. In the end, earning and keeping public trust will protect not only horses, but the future of our sport.
If we ignore or excuse visible suffering, we lose not just credibility – but the heart of what makes the horse world and horse sport so special. True progress means facing difficult truths, listening to outside voices and setting standards that go beyond what’s convenient or traditional.
Time to buy some “New Glasses”?
If we, within the industry, cannot clearly see or acknowledge problems with horse welfare – or if we risk becoming blind to injuries and suffering because we are too close to the day-to-day reality – then we must be willing to put on “new glasses” and view our actions through the eyes of the public.
What Needs to Happen Next?
The FEI’s decision is pending a general assembly vote. This is the time for riders, owners, grooms and equestrian fans to speak up. Protecting the welfare of horses isn’t just about ethics – it’s essential for maintaining the sport’s social licence to operate.
When the public sees bleeding horses allowed to continue competing, trust erodes quickly. We all share responsibility for creating horse-friendly competitions where safety comes first – not just inside the arena, but across the entire venue.
That means proper supervision, clear safety protocols and consistent enforcement of welfare standards.
What Can We Do? Take Action
The FEI’s decision is pending a general assembly vote.
Share your opinion with your National Federation or directly with the FEI at [email protected] and sign Claudia Sanders Petition.
Share your opinion with your National Federation or directly with the FEI at [email protected] and sign Claudia Sanders Petition.
Protecting the horse’s welfare maintains not only ethical integrity but also the sport’s social license to operate.