Emergency rule change bans use of 'unnatural' mouth foam

The FEI has acted to ban the use of sticky foam, thought intended to mask issues in horses' mouths

- By ELEANOR JONES

AN emergency FEI rule change banning “unnatural foam” on horses’ mouths, likely to mask oral issues, has been welcomed. But the “true impact of any rule lies in its enforcement”.

At the June FEI board meeting, a dressage and para dressage rule was replaced by the new one, applicable in all disciplines from 1 July. It bans any substance or product in or around the horse's mouth that “may imitate, induce or cause foaming” or “coat or otherwise cover, or partially cover the bit”. Breaking it will incur a yellow warning card and elimination.

The FEI told H&H it had been sent “numerous images from FEI events showing horses’ mouths covered in thick sticky foam”.

“The FEI investigated and concluded that this unnatural foaming was very likely induced by excessive feeding with treats composed of icing sugar and a binder (gelatine, beeswax, gum arabica etc),” a spokesperson said. “There are strong indications that it is used to mask issues in the oral cavity such as discoloration of a horse's tongue and gums.