Riders needs to be given the choice to make use of a snaffle bridle as a substitute of a double in all worldwide dressage, in accordance with a number one equine analysis assist physique.
The decision got here from the Worldwide Society for Equitation Science (ISES), which promotes equine welfare by enhancing horse and human interactions by analysis and utilizing evidence-based practices, in an open letter to the FEI.
It follows the discharge of the primary draft of FEI guidelines for 2024, which doesn’t embody a suggestion from the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Fee (EEWC) to provide riders at grand prix the selection to make use of a double bridle or not.
Their reasoning comes from their assist of the “precautionary precept” – this implies contemplating the potential for hurt when conclusive proof just isn’t but out there.
The group “strongly endorses” the fee’s work, significantly the event of the 30 suggestions and proposed adoption of the imaginative and prescient of a “good life for horses” (information, 4 Might).
“On issues the place there are vital moral considerations, such because the obligatory use of double bridles at grand prix stage in dressage, there could also be a distinction between the views of stakeholders and animal welfare researchers,” states the letter.
“Whereas stakeholders might think about scientific proof of any welfare threat to be missing, welfare scientists warning the hazards of such a perspective.
“Due to this fact, ISES helps the appliance of the ‘precautionary precept’, the place any doubts that will exist in any state of affairs surrounding horse welfare, the result ought to favour the pursuits of the horse till such time that analysis reveals there to be no welfare threat.”
The letter provides: “ISES is supportive of there being selection for riders in favour of their horses’ welfare in relation to make use of of the double bridle. ISES is upset that the FEI proposed rule modifications don’t replicate the early suggestion made by the EEWC relating to deregulating the obligatory use of a double bridle for any self-discipline.
“ISES believes that persevering with to require all riders at FEI grand prix stage to make use of a double bridle just isn’t in the most effective curiosity of horse welfare.
“Many nationwide federations have responded by permitting riders the selection to make use of a snaffle bridle at grand prix stage, and Sweden for instance has proposed that the usage of the double bridle be optionally available for FEI competitions, as per the EEWC suggestion.
“ISES strongly encourages the FEI to assist the EEWC early suggestion to permit riders to make higher selections in favour of the welfare of their horses.”
ISES additionally helps the FEI’s proposed rule to make use of an goal gadget, somewhat than fingers, to measure noseband tightness. The FEI has not but set out the way it intends to do that, and ISES is “upset” that the federation “stays uncommitted” to measurement on the entrance of the horse’s nostril “regardless of the numerous physique of proof” supporting this outlined by the EEWC.
“ISES believes that the precise most tightness needs to be clearly articulated according to the analysis that’s out there, and the gadget ought to measure tightness the place the stress is thought to be best,” states the letter.
H&H has contacted the FEI for a response.
The FEI draft guidelines bear revisions earlier than they’re voted on on the normal meeting in November, that means that the present draft just isn’t but set in stone. This primary draft consists of the proposal to introduce an “FEI goal measuring device, which can present the repeatability and consistency in measuring the tightness of nosebands” (information, 13 July). The FEI intends to stipulate measuring protocols in a “versatile doc, not regulated within the guidelines, and amended if wanted”.
World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers instructed H&H: “Ethics – and the continuing upkeep of equestrianism’s social licence – will at all times assist the precautionary strategy as a guideline.
“That is particularly related the place a rising proof base suggests {that a} change can be useful, as it’s our duty to base our choices on the safeguarding of horses’ welfare.
“Producing sturdy scientific proof takes time, cash and dedication, and on this regard invoking the precautionary precept requires a elementary change of pondering.
“The place proof is rising {that a} apply might threaten equine welfare, we should always not preserve the established order, however modifications needs to be made, modifications that may at all times be reversed if the stability of proof in the end exhibits that they’re pointless.”
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