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UAE endurance suspension lifted
hoof
The UAE National Federation was suspended earlier this year amid concerns over horse welfare.
Agreement signed to ensure horse welfare is respected
 
The Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) has signed an agreement to ensure horse welfare will be respected and rules strictly enforced at endurance events. As a result, the FEI Bureau has agreed to lift its suspension.

EEF is the governing body of equestrian sports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Earlier this year, the federation was provisionally suspended by the FEI Bureau, following an investigation into major horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI rules and regulations in the discipline of endurance.

It was revealed yesterday (27 July) that the bureau has unanimously agreed to reinstate the UAE National Federation to full membership of the FEI - the international governing body for Olympic equestrian sport.

A legally binding agreement has been signed by the EEF and FEI, offering a guarantee that horse welfare will be respected and that rules will be enforced at endurance events in the UAE.

Among other terms, EEF must ensure that:
  • Protocols are put in place to avoid equine fatalities
  • Applicable rest periods are respected
  • Horses on rest periods are blocked from entry in national events (the FEI system already blocks entries in international events)
  • Use of prohibited fluid administration and any substances prohibited under the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs) in and around the Field of Play and at the Vet Gate is prevented
Commenting on the agreement, FEI's secretary general Sabrina Zeender, said: "We are very pleased that, after four months of very hard work, the United Arab Emirates have demonstrated with the signature of this agreement that they are fully committed to ensuring horse welfare and complying with FEI rules at both international and national level in the country."

EEF's secretary general, Taleb Dhaher Al Mheiri, said the federation will continue to work with the FEI to ensure the requirements are applied. "It is our goal to pursue excellence while promoting the growth of the sport and safeguarding the welfare of equine and human athletes," he added.

For more information on the agreement, see http://www.fei.org/news/uae-national-federation-suspension-lifted-fei-bureau-following-signature-agreement

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.