THE 2013 VETERINARY REGULATIONS ACCEPTED AT FEI GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ISTANBUL

 
 
The 2013 version of the Veterinary Regulations approved at the General Assembly 2012 can be accessed below. 

FEI VETERINARY REGULATIONS

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) is responsible for the general conduct of international equestrian events, which includes the supervision and maintenance of the health and welfare of the horses taking part. The Veterinary Regulations deal specifically with the condition, fitness and welfare, as well as the medication and doping control measures required for horses during international events, ensuring the health and welfare of the horse and maintaining fair play for all. The Veterinary Regulations apply to all events that are subject to the Statutes and General Regulations and must be strictly adhered to. The Veterinary Regulations do  cover every eventuality that might occur during FEI Events. It is expected that any Veterinary Commission/Delegate present, in consultation with the Ground Jury/Appeal Committee, will occasionally have to make decisions that, although outside these Regulations, are nevertheless in the spirit of the Veterinary and General Regulations of the FEI. Such decisions will have a binding effect during that event (see the Guidance Notes related to the changes introduced as of 5 April 2010).

In case of query or doubt concerning the interpretation or application of Articles from the Veterinary Regulations, National Federations or the Secretary General must obtain a ruling from the FEI Tribunal.

Any specific interpretations of the Veterinary Regulations agreed by the Veterinary Committee and authorised by the Secretary General will be published.

National Federations are encouraged to follow these Regulations for their national events to ensure greater consistency and a common understanding at both national and international level.

It is the responsibility of the National Federation to ensure that Organising Committees comply with these Regulations in regard to the welfare and veterinary control of all horses taking part in international events.

The Organizing Committees are requested to make themselves familiar with the changes introduced. Please see the veterinary updates for further information. 

Failure by Organising Committees or Officials to comply with procedure mandated by the Veterinary Regulations and their Annexes will not provide a defence for any person liable under these or the General Regulations unless it can be proved that the non-compliance materially affects the legitimate rights of a person subject to these or the General Regulations.

The current version (13th Edition) of the FEI Veterinary Regulations and the Veterinary Forms used for treatment and supportive therapies during Events are provided below, in addition to the Elective Testing Form.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO THE VETERINARY REGULATIONS, EFFECTIVE ON 1 JANUARY 2013 

as agreed at the General Assembly 2012, Turkey.

• • The Veterinary Regulations (VRs) underwent a major review during 2012 to produce an entirely new regulatory document. In addition to the substantial formatting changes, including all article numbering, several updates in content; a non exhaustive summary is provided below:
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  • • Chapter II explains the categories and roles of FEI Veterinarians; the two main groups being FEI Officials and, as introduced during 2012: Permitted Treating Veterinarians. There have been some minor changes to the promotional requirements for Official Veterinarians (including Endurance Official Veterinarians) and all FEI Veterinarians1 must now carry their FEI Veterinarian ID Card when attending Events in a veterinary capacity. 
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  • • The term Veterinary Services Manager (VSM) has been implemented for the previously named ‘leading’ Treating Veterinarian as appointed by the Organising Committee (article 1008); this change reflects the responsibility of this person to assist Organisers in providing suitable veterinary facilities during Events. Furthermore the minimum veterinary services expected for an Event to occur are defined (article 1023).
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  • • The term “MCP Veterinarian” has been changed to “Testing Veterinarian” for those veterinarians involved in urine and blood sample collection under the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Program (EADCMP).
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  • • The term “Assistant Veterinarian” has replaced “Associate Veterinarian” for additional Veterinary Delegates assisting during Events. 
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  • • Other Treating Professionals (article 1021) must make their presence and intention known to the Veterinary Delegate on arrival at an Event. The Veterinary Delegate should then provide the Stewards with a list of such ‘registered’ persons who will be permitted to operate in the stable areas.
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  • • The time for (Foreign) Veterinary Delegates to submit their Veterinary Reports to the Veterinary Department has now been reduced to 72 hours; for serious incidents or an equine fatality this must be notified in 12 hours.
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  • • Veterinarians must always be appointed, usually by the Organising Committee, at least 16 weeks before an Event unless by special exception. 
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  • • Minimum stabling requirements (article 1023) are clearly defined with additional regulations for higher level Events. Organisers must arrange contingency plans to evacuate horses in the case of an emergency. 
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  • • Grooms or other persons are not ordinarily permitted to sleep in Designated Stable Areas and all stables are subject to 24 hour Stewarding, even if they are located away from the Event venue (article 1025).
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  • • Important biosecurity requirements have been developed and introduced within one article (1026), these regulations are imperative in reducing the risk of disease threats and to protect our sports. An additional Biosecurity Guidance document will be produced to implement the concepts.
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  • • Annex (II) containing a Sanctions table defining the actions following the contravention of these VRs. In particular, infringements of vaccination or passport requirements or failure to submit Veterinary Forms have been set forth to assist the Appeals Committee or Ground Jury at an Event. The Person Responsible must now sign for any sanctions imposed.
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  • • Limb Sensitivity (article 1034) now covers both hyper- and hypo-sensitive limbs and allows Persons Responsible the opportunity to withdraw if the Examining Veterinarians determine that the Horse has an abnormal limb sensitivity.  During a Final Examination with the Ground Jury and Foreign Veterinary Delegate the Person Responsible has the chance to present information and respond to questions. A Horse may now be Disqualified retroactively, within the 60 minutes after finishing a round.  
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  • • New articles clarify the requirements and procedures for injuries (article 1036), infectious disease concerns or outbreaks (article 1037), catastrophic injuries or fatalities (article 1038), euthanasia (article 1039) and post mortem examinations (article 1040). 
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  • • Chapter IV deals with Pony Measurement at Events; where Measurements will take place they must occur prior to the Horse Inspection and the details be provided in the schedule. The protocol has been further regulated in view of the Ponies and other personal involved. 
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  • • The ETUE and Medication Forms have now been replaced by Veterinary Forms 1-3, as well as the introduction of the Veterinary Form 4 for the use of Self-Declaration substances, by an FEI Veterinarian (article 1051). 
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  • • The administration of non-prohibited substances by nebulisation or vaporisation may now occur in a Horse’s stable, providing the necessary Veterinary Form 3 is completed and authorised correctly (article 1050). 
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  • • The term Medication Control Program (MCP) has been removed in favour of the term Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Program (EADCMP), enabling the development of a more global testing program.
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  • • Threshold Substances are in the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List.
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  • • The Elective Testing details and Forms are now available online.

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•   Rules effective as of 1 January 2012

Rules effective as of 1 January 2011

VETERINARY FORMS AND ELECTIVE TESTING