Equine Welfare
Equine Welfare
British Showjumping expects all those involved in showjumping to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse and accept that at all times, the welfare of the horse must be paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.
Reporting an Equine Welfare Concern
We take all breaches of our Code of Conduct seriously. All concerns submitted will be investigated by our Welfare Team, who will review all cases where transgressions have occurred to determine whether any disciplinary action is necessary.
If you have a concern about the welfare of a horse(s) involved with a member of British Showjumping, please fill out the form below to enable us to investigate the matter.
Equine Welfare Concern Report Form
Please note: Individuals who have submitted an Equine Welfare Concern Report Form will receive an acknowledgement of receipt, but no further updates on the outcome of any investigation will be provided. All welfare matters will then be dealt with confidentially, and with respect to the sensitivity of such situations, directly with the member in question.
Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse
British Showjumping adopts the FEI Code of Conduct for Horse Welfare in all respects in order to maintain standards in both international and national competition.
Horse welfare is the highest priority for British Showjumping, and we will continue to work closely with the BEF and the FEI to ensure our Rules and Regulations concerning equine welfare and wellbeing are both respected and enforced.
- At all stages during the preparation and training of competition horses, welfare must take precedence over all other demands.
a) Good horse management
Stabling, feeding and training must be compatible with good horse management and must not compromise welfare. Any practices that could cause physical or mental suffering, in or out of competition, will not be tolerated.
b) Training methods
Horses must only undergo training that matches their physical capabilities and level of maturity for their respective disciplines. They must not be subjected to any training methods which are abusive or cause fear or for which they have not been properly prepared.
c) Farriery and tack
Foot care and shoeing must be of a high standard. Tack must be designed and fitted to avoid the risk of pain or injury.
d) Transport
During transportation, horses must be fully protected against injuries and other health risks. Vehicles must be safe, well ventilated, maintained to a high standard, disinfected regularly and driven by competent staff. Competent handlers must always be available to manage the horses.
e) Transit
All journeys must be planned carefully and horses allowed regular rest periods with access to food and water.
- Horses and competitors must be fit, competent and in good health before they are allowed to compete.
a) Fitness and competence
Participation in competition must be restricted to fit horses and competitors of proven competence.
b) Health Status
No horse showing symptoms of disease, lameness or other significant ailments or pre-existing clinical conditions should compete or continue to compete when to do so would compromise its welfare. Veterinary advice must be sought whenever there is any doubt.
c) Medication
Abuse of medication is a serious welfare issue and will not be tolerated. After any veterinary treatment, sufficient time must be allowed for full recovery before competition.
d) Surgical procedures
Any surgical procedures that threaten a competing horse’s welfare or the safety of other horses and/or competitors must not be allowed
e) Pregnant/recently foaled mares
Mares must not complete after their fourth month of pregnancy or with foal at foot
f) Misuse of aids
Abuse of a horse using natural riding aids or artificial aids (e.g. padded batons, spurs etc.) will not be tolerated
g) Sensory hairs
Trimming of the horse’s sensory hairs around the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears is not permitted, 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 policy.
- Events must not prejudice horse welfare.
a) Competition areas
Horses must only be trained and compete on suitable and safe surfaces. All obstacles must be designed with the safety of the horse in mind.
b) Ground surfaces
All ground surfaces on which horses walk, train or compete must be designed and maintained to reduce factors that could lead to injuries. Particular attention must be paid to the preparation, composition and upkeep of surfaces.
c) Extreme weather
Competitions must not take place in extreme weather conditions if the welfare and safety of the horse may be compromised. Provision must be made for cooling horses quickly after competing in hot or humid conditions.
d) Stabling at events
Stables must be safe, hygienic, comfortable, well ventilated and of sufficient size for the type and disposition of the horse. Clean, good quality and appropriate feed and bedding, fresh drinking water, and washing-down water must always be available.
e) Fitness to travel
After competition, a horse must be fit to travel.
- Every effort must be made to ensure that horses receive proper attention after they have competed and that they are treated humanely when their competition careers are over.
a) Veterinary treatment
Veterinary expertise must always be on site or on call at an event. If a horse is injured or exhausted during a competition, the competitor must dismount and a veterinarian must check the horse.
b) Referral centres
Wherever necessary, the horse should be collected by ambulance and transported to the nearest relevant treatment centre for further assessment and therapy. Injured horses must be given full supportive treatment before transport.
c) Competition injuries
The incidence of injuries sustained in competition should be monitored. Ground surface conditions, frequency of competitions and any other risk factors should be examined carefully to indicate ways to minimise injuries.
d) Euthanasia
If injuries are sufficiently severe, the horse may need to be euthanised by a veterinarian as soon as possible on humane grounds and with the sole aim of minimising suffering.
e) Retirement
Every effort should be made to ensure that horses are treated sympathetically and humanely when they retire from competition.
- British Showjumping urges all those involved in equestrian sport to attain the highest possible levels of education in their areas of expertise relevant to the care and management of the competition horse.
This Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse may be modified from time to time and the views of all are welcomed. Particular attention will be paid to new research findings and British Showjumping encourages further funding and support for welfare studies.