EWA Welfare Corner: FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse

General Welfare

Horses must be cared for using best-practice management, including access to clean water, quality feed, and appropriate forage at all times. Training should suit each horse’s age, maturity, and physical ability, while avoiding any abusive or fear-inducing methods. Proper hoof care, shoeing, and well-fitted tack are essential to prevent pain or injury. During transport, horses must travel in safe, well-maintained, ventilated vehicles with competent handlers and protection from injury or health risks. All journeys should be carefully planned, with regular rest breaks and access to food and water in accordance with current FEI guidelines.

Fitness to compete

Only horses that are fit, healthy, and suitable for competition should participate, alongside athletes with proven competence. Horses must have adequate rest between training, competitions, and travel, with carefully planned journeys that include regular breaks, food, and water. Unfit horses must not compete, and veterinary advice should be sought whenever there is uncertainty about a horse’s condition. Doping, misuse of medication, and any practices compromising horse welfare are strictly prohibited, and horses must be given enough recovery time after veterinary treatment before returning to competition. Surgical procedures that risk horse or rider safety are not permitted. Pregnant mares must not compete after four months of pregnancy or while nursing a foal, and abuse through natural or artificial aids such as whips or spurs is not tolerated.

Events must not prejudice Horse welfare

Horses must train and compete in safe environments with suitable surfaces, well-designed obstacles, and competition conditions that prioritise their safety and welfare. Ground surfaces should be properly maintained to minimise injury risks. Competitions should not proceed in extreme weather conditions that could endanger horses, and appropriate cooling facilities and equipment must be available after competition. Event stabling must be safe, clean, comfortable, well-ventilated, and appropriately sized, with access to water and washing facilities at all times.

Humane treatment of horses

Qualified veterinary support must always be available at events to ensure prompt care if a horse becomes injured or exhausted. Horses requiring treatment should be properly assessed, stabilised, and transported safely when necessary. Competition-related injuries should be monitored to identify and reduce risk factors such as unsuitable surfaces or excessive competition frequency. In severe cases where recovery is not possible, humane euthanasia may be required to prevent unnecessary suffering. Retired competition horses must continue to be treated with care, compassion, and respect

Education

The FEI encourages everyone involved in equestrian sport to pursue high standards of education and professional development in horse care, welfare, and competition management. The Code of Conduct for Horse Welfare is regularly reviewed and may be updated over time, with input from the wider equestrian community welcomed. Ongoing research into horse welfare is strongly supported, with continued funding and development encouraged to improve standards across the sport