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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th April 2014
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"Far reaching" changes to endurance rules revealed
race horse
Changes have been made to endurance event rules to improve the welfare of horses.
Amended regulations will ensure protection of the welfare of horses in equine events

New regulations were announced yesterday by the FEI to ensure improved protection of the welfare of horses taking part in endurance events.

The new rules will include the introduction of athlete penalties for equine injuries, extended rest periods and increased accountability and responsibility of officials.

These decisions received the full support of delegates present at the endurance round table on the second day of the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI).

John McEwan, FEI first vice president and chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee said: “The welfare of the horse is not just a veterinary issue, it's an issue for all those who work in the sport.”

As well as these new rules, a new FEI Endurance Codex has been produced which defines responsibility, accountability and sanctions for those in breach of the codex, to cover endurance officials, endurance athletes and registered trainers. This has also received support from the Endurance Committee.

These amendments will undergo a final review when they are circulated to National Federations, prior to going before the FEI Bureau at its in-person meeting on June 9 to 10 for approval and immediate implementation.

A debate session followed the proposal of these amendments. Delegates made a call for information about injuries at national events to be included in the Global Endurance Injuries Study (GEIS), and this received support from Dr Tim Parkin of Glasgow University, who was commissioned by the FEI to set up the study.

Dr Parkin said: “The FEI has done a great job of demonstrating what can be done with data that is currently available from FEI events and it is clearly going in the right direction.

“Adding in data from national events is only going to improve that situation. The new regulations have an impact that is really beneficial to the welfare of the horse.”

To join the continuing debate on all topics discussed at the FEI Sports Forum 2014, visit the online discussion platform here.

 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.