Requires double bridles to be non-compulsory fall on deaf ears – once more

THE FEI has rejected an offer to permit riders to make a choice whether or not or to not use a double bridle in any respect ranges of world dressage.

H&H has reported at the debate brought about via the FEI-appointed impartial ethics and wellbeing fee’s advice to make double bridles non-compulsory. This got here to gentle remaining autumn, when the Global Dressage Riders Membership and Global Dressage Running shoes Membership printed a letter strongly opposing the speculation.

Below present regulations, double bridles are non-compulsory as much as CDI2* stage – however obligatory at CDI3* and above.

“This alteration, presented in 2019, displays a development within the stage of abilities of the athlete and coaching of the pony from low and medium stage to the best possible stage of efficiency,” an FEI spokesman instructed H&H remaining yr, including that the FEI dressage committee supported obligatory use of doubles at grand prix stage.

The talk persisted; the primary draft of FEI regulations for 2024 this summer time didn’t come with the advice, and the Global Society for Equitation Science (ISES), which promotes equine welfare via making improvements to horse-human interactions via analysis and the usage of evidence-based practices, wrote an open letter to the FEI calling for double bridle use to be non-compulsory at grand prix.

Within the ultimate draft of rule adjustments, to be thought to be on the FEI normal meeting (18-21 November), an offer from the Dutch and Swedish equestrian federations has been indexed below “Proposed rule adjustments which have been rejected or deferred to a long run regulations revision”.

The proposal learn: “We want to suggest to make it non-compulsory and make allowance riders to make use of a snaffle in the event that they deem this of their absolute best pastime as a mix. The [Dutch federation] has been permitting the snaffle bridle as much as and together with grand prix for 15 years (absolute best apply) and it really works in reality effectively. To stay the curb obligatory does now not agree to the welfare of the pony. If riders are satisfied that it’s higher to compete their horse handiest on a unmarried bridle, it will have to be allowed.”

British Equestrian (BEF) stated it concurs with the FEI that use of double as opposed to snaffle bridles, when fitted and used appropriately, isn’t a welfare factor; “there’s inadequate clinical analysis or information to achieve this as a conclusion”.

“Then again, snaffle bridles are already non-compulsory in Britain at nationwide festival, to present riders the selection to make use of the bridle that is best suited for them and their horse,” the BEF stated.

“The main attention for the FEI is to make sure that there’s a stage taking part in box in festival and that each one bridles are fitted and used appropriately. We might beef up the FEI’s advice that additional clinical analysis is performed on this house to completely perceive the results of the usage of a double bridle as opposed to snaffle bridle and the ensuing penalties of those proposed adjustments.”

The German federation stated it supported the FEI, and the Norwegian federation agreed that “center of attention at the bits on my own is not going to remedy the demanding situations of horse welfare”.

“Driving talent is all the time an important component, without reference to the bridle or different apparatus (inside of sure limits),” the federation stated. “The double bridle belongs to the classical apparatus for the absolutely trained/skilled horse and rider. That stated, we will have to nonetheless be keen to modify if there’s dependable proof that one of those bridle or different apparatus in itself is the cause of deficient horse welfare. Subsequently, we beef up the plan to assemble a multidisciplinary group to increase find out about/analysis to grasp all execs and cons about each the double bridle and different bits/bridles sooner than converting the principles, and around the disciplines. Such wisdom will have to even be used for outwards communique on horse welfare in using.”

In keeping with comments, the FEI stated its dressage committee “firmly maintains its place”, mentioned in June, that use of snaffle or double bridle is a technical (recreation) subject and now not a question of wellbeing/welfare.

“We perceive the subject of social (media) belief, however from the result of the web survey that had been made to be had to this committee lets now not to find clinical proof, nor unquestionable information, that permits us to achieve a special conclusion at this second,” the FEI stated in June. “It’s time to collect a multidisciplinary group, which incorporates professionals from all stakeholders, to increase find out about/analysis to grasp all execs and cons concerning the proposed exchange. As soon as this find out about/analysis is performed, we will be able to be in situation to have an educated, aware and well-balanced opinion at the subject.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over 8 years running for native and nationwide newspapers sooner than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all sides of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage regulations to mules. Her recreation of selection is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping displays via to world championships.