The FEI’s new blood rule: Can we afford to jump backwards?
FEI Jumping proposes a rule to let bleeding horses continue competing — reversing a welfare safeguard and testing the sport’s social licence.| Horses and People
FEI Jumping proposes a rule to let bleeding horses continue competing — reversing a welfare safeguard and testing the sport’s social licence.| Horses and People
To earn public trust, horse racing must undertake equine welfare education at all levels and apply an evidence-based approach.| Horses and People
Australia's evidence-based, practical, go-to resource for all aspects of horse welfare, management and training| Horses and People
This letter, declined by the Equine Veterinary Journal, responds to MacKechnie-Guire et al.’s defence of their noseband pressure study. It clarifies key methodological and interpretive issues that remain unresolved and highlights why transparent discussion is vital to the integrity of equine welfare science. The post A Reply to Response to Comments on ‘Noseband type and tightness level affect pressure on the horse’s face at trot’ appeared first on Horses and People.| Horses and People
In academic publishing, critique and reply are essential to scientific progress. This letter—declined by the Equine Veterinary Journal—is published here to complete the public record. It clarifies key methodological issues in a study of noseband pressures and highlights the importance of open discourse for equine welfare policy. The post A Reply to Response to Comments on ‘Facial pressure beneath a cavesson noseband adjusted to different tightness levels during standing and chewing” a...| Horses and People
Emeritus Professor David Mellor—architect of the Five Domains Model—explores the biological and behavioural evidence showing that all bits, regardless of design, cause mouth pain. Drawing on decades of welfare science, he argues that the perfect bit is the one never placed in a horse’s mouth. The post The Perfect Bit for your Horse appeared first on Horses and People.| Horses and People
Unlike most reports quoting only veterinarians, this analysis comes from Dr James Cooling—a medical doctor, qualified bit-fitter, and rider. He explains why blue tongues in elite horses are not cosmetic, but clear evidence of pressure, pain, and compromised welfare. The post Think Blue Tongues may be Harmless in Elite Sport Horses? Think Again. appeared first on Horses and People.| Horses and People
The late Dr Robert Cook explains how bit use harms horses’ welfare and performance, calling for bit-free sport to safeguard equine wellbeing.| Horses and People
A sharp proverb highlights the difference between rigorous equine welfare research and flawed, agenda-driven studies.| Horses and People
This week, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) announced an emergency ban on artificial foam-producing substances used in horses’ mouths. The new veterinary rule, effective July 1, 2025, prohibits all products that artificially induce or imitate natural foaming, replacing a narrower ban that only targeted marshmallow-like or shaving foam-style products. The emergency resolution follows […] The post Foam, Fear, and False Signals: Why the FEI’s New Ban on Artificial S...| Horses and People
Footage of Olympic rider Heath Ryan whipping a horse has reignited calls to ban whipping in Australia. There are more ethical alternatives.| Horses and People
Drawing on decades of research in this area, David Mellor says it's time that horse riders acknowledge that some methods they use cause pain.| Horses and People
Claiming to have animal welfare as their top priority, some organisations seek to deceive the public, delaying action, and discrediting validated animal welfare science.| Horses and People
A series of haikus by James Garnham that highlights that much of what the racehorse sector would like us to believe is not true.| Horses and People
