Newly Proposed Extraordinary Rule Changes Related to Horse Well-Being  

Last month, we shared an important letter with the USEF membership titled “Letter from the President and CEO Regarding Important Equine Safeguarding Initiatives.”  This communication announced several extraordinary rule change proposals aimed specifically at strengthening US Equestrian’s position on horse welfare.   

 

As we look ahead, we continue to review opportunities to strengthen our protection of the horse, and to this end, several new proposed Extraordinary Rule Changes have recently been put forward for feedback and review before they are considered by the USEF Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting in January 2025. If approved, these rule changes become effective April 1, 2025. While there are several extraordinary rule changes being proposed, we are highlighting three of the more noteworthy proposals that are specifically related to horse well-being: 

•		Revisions to GR414 Prohibited Practices (Tracking #107-24)  •    This details a list of substances that individuals will not be permitted to have in their possession or use on the grounds of a USEF licensed competition due to the potential threat to horse welfare and the integrity of sport on the field of play.   •    Injectable ACTH  •    Injectable Adenosine  •    Injectable Formaldehyde  •    Injectable Magnesium Sulfate  •    Injectable Oxytocin  •    Injectable Pentobarbital, except by a veterinarian for the purpose of euthanasia  •    Injectable Thiamine  •    Liquid Nitrogen  •    Any prescription medication in any formulation without a label identifying the horse for whom it is prescribed, pharmacy, prescription date, and prescribing veterinarian, unless it is the possession of a veterinarian, and not yet prescribed or otherwise prohibited under these rules.
•		Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) (Tracking #090-24)  •    Commonly referred to as Shock Wave Therapy, ESWT is a therapeutic modality intended to aid in the treatment of soft tissue and bone injuries. This rule change further clarifies that only a licensed veterinarian may administer ESWT on competition grounds or a veterinary assistant or technician under direct veterinary supervision. The use of ESWT on a horse as described above must be reported using an Equine Drugs and Medications Report Form.  The application of ESWT is limited to the back and dorsal pelvis areas of the horse and cannot occur within 12 hours prior to competing. The use of ESWT on the limbs of horses will remain a prohibited practice within 72 hours of competing.
•		Revisions to EV112 The Use of the Whip in Eventing (Tracking #091-24)  •    This rule change is proposed to more clearly reflect the intent and spirit of the rule, which is that the whip should be used properly and not as a tool for unethical treatment towards a horse.

A full list of all extraordinary rule change proposals can be found here. We welcome member feedback on these proposals and encourage you to comment by logging into your USEF member account, navigating to the Rule Changes web page, and then scrolling down to the listing of “Currently Active Non-Standard Proposed Rule Changes” and clicking on the comment button located next to each extraordinary rule change proposal.      

 

At US Equestrian, we fully believe that the care and well-being of horses, both inside and outside of the competition arena, must be held to the highest standards and levels of ethical behavior. These proposed extraordinary rule changes reflect our continued efforts to maintain that focus and ensure the sport maintains its social license to operate. Please report any behavior toward a horse that concerns you through our anonymous texting platform by texting 2USEF (28733), or by sending a report through www.usef.org.

        

We thank you for your continued care of our horses and sport.