Noseband rules could be changed in all disciplines

The FEI is proposing measuring tightness, to introduce a standard method of to apply across all its horse sports

- LUCY ELDER

THE FEI is looking to impose stricter noseband rules by moving away from fingers to a standardised way of measuring.

The move would also include elimination and a yellow card for those found to be using over-tightened nosebands in competition.

The proposal, in the first draft of 2024 FEI rules, would bring all disciplines into line.

The proposal came from a recommendation by the FEI equine ethics and wellbeing commission. This was for a “general provision harmonising the approach measuring the tightness of nosebands” across disciplines, using an “FEI objective measuring tool”.

Questions remain, such as how and where tightness will be measured, but the intention is for a full proposal by autumn.

“‘Fingers’ are a subjective measuring unit, as they differ in size and as such do not provide consistency in measurements of noseband tightness,” states the FEI explanation.