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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th April 2014
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"Far reaching" changes to endurance rules revealed
race horse
Changes have been made to endurance event rules to improve the welfare of horses.
Amended regulations will ensure protection of the welfare of horses in equine events

New regulations were announced yesterday by the FEI to ensure improved protection of the welfare of horses taking part in endurance events.

The new rules will include the introduction of athlete penalties for equine injuries, extended rest periods and increased accountability and responsibility of officials.

These decisions received the full support of delegates present at the endurance round table on the second day of the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI).

John McEwan, FEI first vice president and chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee said: “The welfare of the horse is not just a veterinary issue, it's an issue for all those who work in the sport.”

As well as these new rules, a new FEI Endurance Codex has been produced which defines responsibility, accountability and sanctions for those in breach of the codex, to cover endurance officials, endurance athletes and registered trainers. This has also received support from the Endurance Committee.

These amendments will undergo a final review when they are circulated to National Federations, prior to going before the FEI Bureau at its in-person meeting on June 9 to 10 for approval and immediate implementation.

A debate session followed the proposal of these amendments. Delegates made a call for information about injuries at national events to be included in the Global Endurance Injuries Study (GEIS), and this received support from Dr Tim Parkin of Glasgow University, who was commissioned by the FEI to set up the study.

Dr Parkin said: “The FEI has done a great job of demonstrating what can be done with data that is currently available from FEI events and it is clearly going in the right direction.

“Adding in data from national events is only going to improve that situation. The new regulations have an impact that is really beneficial to the welfare of the horse.”

To join the continuing debate on all topics discussed at the FEI Sports Forum 2014, visit the online discussion platform here.

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.