The no-blood rule in FEI competition is set to be reviewed at the FEI General Assembly which is taking place in Hong Kong, China this week (Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 November).
The rule, which is designed with the horse’s welfare in mind, currently states that if there is any sign of blood on a horse in an FEI competition, then the horse is automatically eliminated. The aim of the rule is to protect the horse from incurring further injury and pain.
Jumping riders are calling on the rule to be relaxed to allow for warnings and the potential continuation in the competition for minor blood cases, subject to the approval of veterinary officials.
The proposed changes have prompted a strong reaction from many supporters of the rule who believe the rule is “one of the most important welfare protections in equestrian sport“ and it “protects horses from pain, overexertion, and being ridden on despite injury”.
Strong support for petition
A petition set up by Claudia Sanders, a German equestrian journalist, which calls for the rules surrounding blood on horses in competition to remain strict had attracted over 60,000 signatures at the time of writing (Wednesday 5 November).
The FEI states its “zero-tolerance stance on horse abuse remains firm” and the proposed amendments to the rule will “aim to ensure fairness, proportionality, and consistency, while reflecting lessons learned from past incidents that underscored the difficulty of distinguishing between accidental, minor occurrences and deliberate instances of equipment misuse or abuse.”
“The FEI is conducting a comprehensive review of the Jumping Rules to ensure clarity, consistency, and the highest standards of horse welfare. As part of this review, the FEI has proposed amendments on handling blood on a horse at FEI Events,” said an FEI spokesperson.
“The abuse provisions in both the Jumping Rules and the FEI General Regulations continue to provide strict protection against any form of mistreatment.
‘An important step forward’
“In an important step forward, amongst others under the proposed rules, the presence of blood anywhere on the horse will now automatically trigger a veterinary check to assess the horse’s fitness to compete,” continued the FEI spokesperson.
“Notably, the amendments introduce provisions to verify a horse’s fitness for subsequent competitions — a measure absent in the current rules — enhancing welfare protections and safeguarding horse performance and safety.
“All existing welfare safeguards, including veterinary assessments, the authority of the Ground Jury, and follow-up investigations, will remain fully in place.
National Federations at the FEI General Assembly will vote on the proposed amendments this week.
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