FEI establishes new task force - goal: harmonization of rules, also for blood on horses
FEI Task Force “Condition of the Horse” – Standardized regulation of blood on the horse
from Jan Tönjes 
Spore injuries are penalized similarly in all disciplines. But blood on other parts of the body is penalized differently. The World Equestrian Federation (FEI) now wants to harmonize this with a new set of rules. A task force is to be announced in June. Photo: Symbolic image sportfotos-lafrentz.de Simple rules, applicable to all disciplines, not just when it comes to “blood on the horse” – this is what the FEI wants to achieve with the new task force.
Trigger: Blood on the (jumping) horse
A central point of the FEI General Assembly 2025 was the restructured show jumping rules. In the run-up to the event, there had been much and heated discussion about the new regulations of the so-called “blood rule”. Quite a few feared that the new version would stand in the way of efforts to improve animal welfare in (show jumping) sport. However, since January 1, 2026, when the new rules came into force, 176 riders (as of May 29, 2026) have already been cautioned worldwide.
Other disciplines demand equal treatment
Several national federations, including at the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne in spring 2026, had called for greater harmonization of the regulations, especially in the area of “blood on the horse”. Not just in show jumping, but in the entire World Equestrian Federation.
In dressage, for example, a drop of blood that can be seen outside the rider’s area of influence is enough to be ruled out. Theoretically, an insect bite or a scrape if the horse has injured itself, for example on the legs through a kick, can be enough to be ruled out.
This is what the FEI task force aims to achieve
In a Board Meeting, the FEI Executive Board defined the work priorities of the new Task Fore:
- Comprehensive review of all existing rules on blood on the horse in the general and discipline-specific regulations
- Identification of contradictions and gaps in the current regulatory framework
- Evaluation of the rule proposals submitted by national associations and MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) stakeholders by March 1, 2026
- Standardization of definitions, categorizations and protocols for FEI officials when they detect blood
- Ensuring that any harmonization complies with the FEI’s animal welfare concept – while at the same time taking into account discipline-specific necessities
Who sits at the table?
The task force is led by an independent moderator. Discipline and regional group boards, the chairmen of the Veterinary and Athletes’ Committees as well as representatives of central interest groups, national associations and FEI officials are represented. The committee is broadly based – and anything but homogeneous.
Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez put it this way in a press release: “We have very different disciplines in our sport, but we share a common goal: to ensure the best possible welfare of our horses and athletes. Injuries happen in every sport – but it is our responsibility as a governing body to review, reduce and regulate where possible, with clear protocols, rules and sanctions that everyone in our sport and our millions of fans understand and respect.”
Develop recommendations for the FEI General Assembly
He added: “We hope that this joint task force can review, discuss and debate protocols and regulations in an open and constructive manner – and wherever possible arrive at joint recommendations to be put to the FEI Board and ultimately the FEI General Assembly for a vote.”
The first meeting of the task force is scheduled for June 29, 2026. Invitations to attend have been sent out this week. The final composition of the task force will also be announced at that time.
