Nosebands made elective and breaks for younger horses in welfare-led rule adjustments

Nosebands will probably be elective in any respect ranges of Swedish dressage from January, and rising trot will probably be allowed in some lessons, as a part of work to learn horse welfare.

The Swedish equestrian federation can be mandating a minimal two-week break between competitions in all disciplines for four-year-old horses and ponies.

“Freedom of selection is in focus when horse welfare is strengthened in Swedish competitors laws,” a spokesperson for the federation stated, including that the choice to make nosebands elective is a direct results of proposals submitted to the federation final July.

“The choice to choose out of the noseband means riders can adapt their gear primarily based on the horse’s particular person wants, as a substitute of it having to be tailored in response to custom,” stated Andrea Barth, the federation’s sport supervisor.

The brand new competitors guidelines (TR) for dressage will apply from 1 January 2025 and embrace “a number of adjustments that collectively contribute to stronger horse welfare”.

“In the course of the proposal spherical in 2023, when everybody can submit proposals for rule adjustments, 10% of all proposals in dressage had been about freedom of selection with a noseband,” a spokesperson for the federation stated. “The dressage committee selected to proceed with the rule change as a part of the federation’s work for elevated horse welfare.”

Rising trot is now allowed in dressage lessons as much as novice B3 degree, roughly equal to novice in Britain, as “one other change that promotes horse welfare by means of freedom of selection”.

“That is the results of submitted proposals that got here again in 2021 earlier than TR 2023, when a pilot mission with particular [rising trot] lessons was additionally launched to check the idea,” the spokesperson stated. “After constructive outcomes, the change can now be launched broadly.”

Ms Barth added: “We work constantly for elevated horse welfare by means of variations of each competitors laws and our operations. We all the time wish to be sure that we now have a broad foundation for the adjustments we drive in order that they produce the specified impact. The options that are available in in the course of the work to replace and develop TR are extremely worthwhile to us.”

A change that applies in all disciplines impacts four-year-old horses and ponies, who should have a minimal break of 14 days between one competitors and the following.

“The Swedish federation’s competitors laws (and code of conduct) exist to make sure horse welfare throughout competitors and to make competitions as honest as doable for each horses and folks,” the spokesperson stated.

“TR units requirements for all types of using, coaching and dealing with of horses, which suggests it is among the most vital instruments to make sure good horse welfare in all components of equestrian sport.”

The foundations are revised each two years, all the time beginning with a proposal spherical throughout which anybody can submit options.

“The TR course of is created to mix democratic affect with a simultaneous assurance that the principles are optimally designed,” the spokesperson stated.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all elements of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, by which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping reveals by means of to worldwide championships.