Sensory hairs

NEW GUIDANCE ON REMOVAL OF SENSORY HAIRS COMES INTO EFFECT FOR COMPETITORS THIS YEAR. WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE FEI RULING AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT.

In line with the FEI ruling for 2021 that prohibits the trimming/shaving/ removal of a horse’s sensory hairs around the mouth, nose, and eyes, British Dressage has incorporated similarly worded guidance into the BD Welfare Policy this year.

The FEI will formally impose sanctions on this ruling from 1 July 2021, which will result in disqualification from any event. However, this is advisory only for national competitions this year and British Dressage will not be introducing any sanctions currently.

While we can still advise members not to remove sensory hairs in the interests of horse welfare, as stated by the FEI, it will not be a formal rule until our next full competition year in 2022.

The BD Board and Sport Operations Committee will monitor the FEI position closely throughout 2021 to see how this rule is implemented before setting any national sanctions for 2022. In the meantime, our national stewards will observe sensory hairs as part of their checks at major fi tures and may offer guidance to competitors ahead of formal introduction of this rule next year.

British Dressage members who compete in international competitions will still have to comply fully with the FEI rule from 1 July 2021, including any sanctions placed on them in the event of contravention.

The FEI rule states: ‘Horses are not permitted to compete in FEI events if… the horse’s sensory hairs have been clipped and/or shaven or in any other way removed unless individual sensory hairs have been removed by a veterinarian to prevent pain or discomfort for the horse.’

The rule book’s glossary defines ‘sensory hairs’ as ‘hard hairs located on the horse’s muzzle and around its eyes, also known as ‘whiskers’ that are used for sensation.’

Dr Madeleine Campbell, Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) Senior Lecturer in Human: Animal Interactions and Ethics explains the thinking behind the move.

“We’re reaching an ethical point of view which brings an increased awareness of sentient animals and the need to safeguard their welfare. There’s greater acceptance that we should not alter an animal’s appearance for cosmetic purposes.”

Dr Campbell points to an increasing evidence base from other species of the

detrimental effect of removing sensory hairs, and to research carried out at the RVC.

A study by veterinary scientist Kata . eres y ki at the C into sensory thresholds on specific areas of the horse’s |head has suggested that removing sensory hairs may affect the horse’s ability to respond to stimuli by leading to numbness in the area. r eres y ki reports from the study, which was devised to help guide methods for sensory testing for use in veterinary treatment: “Despite the lack of statistically significant differences for tactile sensory thresholds between shaved and unshaved skin areas, thresholds of the shaved areas were subjectively higher. ur findings support the importance of hair coverage in tactile sensory function in equines and underline the potential disadvantages of clipping the facial areas for husbandry or cosmetic purposes.”

Dr Campbell acknowledges that the trimmed appearance of the dressage horse has become a routine form of competition turnout but adds:

“The benefit is purely cosmetic and does not influence performance so there is no clinical justification for trimming. We accept that competitors may have pragmatic concerns, for example that long muzzle hairs trapped under a noseband could be uncomfortable, but there’s no di culty in gently pushing the hairs out of the way, so they can be easily resolved.” ■