The first in-person FEI Board meeting of the year took place on the 17th and the 18th of June 2025, at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
An important decision taken by the Board is the urgent rule repair to the FEI Veterinary Regulations, which has been made for equine welfare reasons, as follows:
FEI Veterinary Regulations – urgent rule repair for Equine Welfare reasons *
EMERGENCY BOARD RESOLUTION
The Board approved the appointment of two new Executive Directors: Áine Power (IRL) as Executive Director of Sport & Games, and François Vergnol (FRA) as Executive Director of the newly formed Commercial, Marketing, and Communications Department.
The following paragraph will be added to the FEI Veterinary Regulations, Article 1004 ‘Prohibited Methods’, for equine welfare reasons:
“1004.4 It is strictly forbidden to use any type of substance/product inside or around the horse’s mouth and/or tongue that may:
(i) imitate, induce or cause foaming; and/or (ii) coat or otherwise cover, or partially cover the bit.
The prohibition excludes the use of products permitted in the FEI Tack App and the provision of permitted natural treats given in moderation. Contravening this rule will entail a Yellow Warning Card and Elimination.”
This rule will come into effect on the 1st of July 2025 and will replace the following provisions in the FEI Dressage Rules and FEI Para Dressage Rules:
Article 434 6.5 of the FEI Dressage Rules and Article 8431.4.4 of the FEI Para Dressage Rules which currently state:
“It is strictly forbidden to use any type of substance (like “marshmallow fluff”, shaving cream etc.) around the Horse’s mouth to imitate foaming; contravening this rule will entail a Yellow Warning Card and Elimination.”
These rules will be removed from the respective rulebooks as of the 1st of July 2025 and the new provision in the FEI Veterinary Regulations will apply.
* Given that this is an Emergency Board Resolution, National Federations have until 18 July 2025 to signify their disapproval by sending an email to Francisco P. Lima, Director of Governance.
The Board approved the appointment of two new Executive Directors: Áine Power (IRL) as Executive Director of Sport & Games, and François Vergnol (FRA) as Executive Director of the newly formed Commercial, Marketing, and Communications Department. The dedicated press release can be consulted here.
The remaining key resolutions and discussion summaries are available in this wrap-up report.
--ENDS--
Source here