The FEI’s proposed rule changes are being framed as progress—but what if they’re actually exposing something much deeper within equestrian sport?

In this video, we break down the latest FEI veterinary rule proposals and what they reveal about long-standing issues in horse welfare, dressage, and endurance riding. From the controversial requirement that horses must have at least one functional jugular vein to compete, to the redefinition of “fitness to compete”, these changes raise serious questions about how horses have been managed at the highest levels of international competition.

For years, horse fitness standards have focused primarily on visible soundness—but what about mental state, stress, and behavior? The FEI is now proposing to include behavioral assessments, body condition scoring, and stricter veterinary oversight, signaling a major shift in how equine welfare is evaluated.

But these proposals also expose uncomfortable truths:

Horses have competed without full veterinary safety measures

Behavior—one of the clearest indicators of equine welfare—has often been ignored or penalized

Medication rules may have prioritized competition over long-term health

Practices like injections and ice therapy may have masked underlying issues

This video explores the growing tension between performance, fairness, and horse welfare, and asks the question the equestrian world is starting to confront:

👉 Not just whether a horse can compete—but whether it should.

As public scrutiny increases and conversations around horse welfare in sport continue to evolve, the FEI’s proposed changes may mark a turning point—or simply reveal how much change is still needed.

00:00 – FEI Rule Changes Explained

04:45 – Jugular Vein Rule in Endurance Horses

10:30 – Fitness to Compete Definition Problems

17:20 – Horse Behavior and Welfare Signs

24:30 – Horse Medication Rules and Pergolide Debate

31:00 – Injection Bans and Horse Welfare

36:30 – Future of Equestrian Sport and FEI Reforms

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