FEI Implements Stricter Veterinary Rules for 2025: Ear Trimming and Injectable Vitamins Banned

What Happened

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has updated its Veterinary Regulations, effective January 1, 2025. These changes, highlighted by US Equestrian (USEF), focus on horse welfare, strict limitations on injectable substances, and modernized digital record-keeping.

Key modifications include a total ban on trimming hair inside a horse's ears and the removal of exemptions for injectable vitamins during competition. The "evening class" exception for same-day injections has also been eliminated. Starting February 1, 2025, all Equine Influenza vaccinations must be recorded digitally via the FEI HorseApp, in addition to the traditional paper passport.

Why It Matters

For riders, trainers, and veterinarians competing at the international level, these updates tighten "clean sport" protocols and emphasize non-invasive management during competition.

Grooming and Welfare: The ban on trimming ear hair, following the 2021 ban on clipping sensory hairs, reinforces the FEI's stance that a horse's natural protection against insects and environmental debris should remain intact. Compliance with grooming routines is essential to avoid sanctions.

Medical Management: The removal of injectable vitamins from permitted substances is a significant change. Previously used for recovery or support, any injection or infusion of vitamins or minerals during an event is now prohibited unless it constitutes a documented emergency. This necessitates a greater reliance on oral supplementation and pre-event preparation.

Same-Day Injections: The "18:00 rule" no longer applies. Non-emergency injections or infusions are now disallowed on the day of competition, regardless of the class start time. This simplifies enforcement and requires trainers to adjust therapeutic schedules.

Digital Compliance: The mandate for the FEI HorseApp for vaccinations reflects an industry-wide push for real-time data. Failure to log these details digitally could result in entry issues or fines at FEI stabling areas.

Discipline Context

These regulations apply to all FEI-sanctioned disciplines. Specific rules remain for Eventing, regarding IV fluid timing before cross-country, and for Endurance, with an 8-hour window before inspections. However, the overarching ban on ear-trimming and injectable vitamins applies across all disciplines, impacting participants from high-performance jumping to international dressage.

Riders tracking how federation rule changes apply to their own division can put rulebook questions to rulebook answers from TurnoutAI.