Fitness to compete - exams/inspections & what it means to pass or fail a horse Professor Leo Jeffcott, University of Sydney

Vet Regs Art.1011 and definitions Vet Regs Art.1011 and definitions concept of “Fitness to compete” concept of “Fitness to compete” need for standardisation of the procedure between disciplines need for standardisation of the procedure between disciplines Veterinary Examinations: Veterinary Examinations: First Vet exam First Vet exam Second Vet exam (Eventing) Second Vet exam (Eventing) Horse Inspections: Horse Inspections: General protocol General protocol Holding Box Holding Box Specific requirements for disciplines Specific requirements for disciplines Plan for the talk

Article 1011 of Vet Regs covers the rules and advice on Vet Examinations, Horse Inspections and Passport Control for all FEI events in the 7 disciplines covers the rules and advice on Vet Examinations, Horse Inspections and Passport Control for all FEI events in the 7 disciplines contains some useful background information on all aspects of exams & inspections contains some useful background information on all aspects of exams & inspections look on FEI website ( look on FEI website (

Veterinary Examination Veterinary Examination clinical exam by vet to establish health status clinical exam by vet to establish health status horses are not eliminated at an Examination. horses are not eliminated at an Examination. Horse Inspection Horse Inspection procedure to ensure horses are fit to participate or to continue in competition. procedure to ensure horses are fit to participate or to continue in competition. Passport Control Passport Control establish horse identity and check all other details at First Examination (i.e. must be done prior to 1st HI) establish horse identity and check all other details at First Examination (i.e. must be done prior to 1st HI) Vet Exams/Inspections & Passport Control DefinitionsDefinitions

essential component of FEI competition essential component of FEI competition not always sole responsibility of vets not always sole responsibility of vets aim to ensure that the horses are:- aim to ensure that the horses are:- not suffering from infectious or contagious disease not suffering from infectious or contagious disease horses are fit to compete horses are fit to compete fit to continue fit to continue examinations/inspections are not at the level of pre-purchase examinations examinations/inspections are not at the level of pre-purchase examinations General points Vet Exams & Horse Inspections

common sense approach to fitness and safety common sense approach to fitness and safety absolute soundness not required absolute soundness not required dialogue between GJ & Veterinarians to set level of “fitness” for competition dialogue between GJ & Veterinarians to set level of “fitness” for competition Holding Box for doubtful cases Holding Box for doubtful cases use of horse Data Form to monitor progress use of horse Data Form to monitor progress ultimate objective is to see as many horses as possible compete safely ultimate objective is to see as many horses as possible compete safely Lord Carew’s Aide Memoire in 1996 on 3DE Inspections “Fitness to compete”

Differences between disciplines Situation before 2002 Jumping - “Vet Exam” Re-inspection; no holding box 1. before 1st competition 2. before last competition Jumping - “Vet Exam” Re-inspection; no holding box 1. before 1st competition 2. before last competition Dressage- “Fitness Inspection” Holding Box + re-inspection Dressage- “Fitness Inspection” Holding Box + re-inspection 1. before 1st competition Eventing - “Horse Inspection” Holding Box; no re-inspection 1st & 3rd inspections with 2nd inspection during Endurance 1. before 1st competition Eventing - “Horse Inspection” Holding Box; no re-inspection 1st & 3rd inspections with 2nd inspection during Endurance Driving - “Inspection” Holding box; + re-inspection 1st inspection before 1st comp 2nd inspection during Endurance 3rd inspection in harness Driving - “Inspection” Holding box; + re-inspection 1st inspection before 1st comp 2nd inspection during Endurance 3rd inspection in harness Vaulting -“Inspection” Prior to 1st competition Vaulting -“Inspection” Prior to 1st competition

Rationale for standardisation of Horse Inspections to ensure all horses are properly “fit to compete” in FEI competition to ensure all horses are properly “fit to compete” in FEI competition inspections are not intended to be equivalent to pre-purchase exams inspections are not intended to be equivalent to pre-purchase exams specific level of “fitness” will vary between disciplines & even within disciplines specific level of “fitness” will vary between disciplines & even within disciplines conditions should be kept as similar as possible for all types of events conditions should be kept as similar as possible for all types of events the “Inspection Panel” should consist of vets & judges the “Inspection Panel” should consist of vets & judges vet opinion is crucial to the success of the procedure vet opinion is crucial to the success of the procedure

HIs for FEI disciplines Eventing (CCI):- Eventing (CCI):- 1st HI before Dressage Test 1st HI before Dressage Test 2nd HI during Endurance Test (after Phase C) 2nd HI during Endurance Test (after Phase C) 3rd HI before Jumping Test 3rd HI before Jumping Test Eventing (CIC) before any jumping takes place Eventing (CIC) before any jumping takes place Driving:- Driving:- 1st HI before competition A 1st HI before competition A 2nd HI at end of section D (competition B) 2nd HI at end of section D (competition B) Jumping:- Jumping:- 1st HI before first competition 1st HI before first competition 2nd HI as required by Jumping Rules 2nd HI as required by Jumping Rules Dressage, Vaulting & Reining:- Dressage, Vaulting & Reining:- 1st HI before first competition 1st HI before first competition Endurance:- HI before competition, at Vet Gates & at the end of the ride Endurance:- HI before competition, at Vet Gates & at the end of the ride

Veterinary Examinations First Veterinary Exam (Arrival Exam) First Veterinary Exam (Arrival Exam) on arrival or as soon after as possible on arrival or as soon after as possible carried out by (Foreign) Veterinary Delegate or a deputy (e.g. Treating Vet for the event) carried out by (Foreign) Veterinary Delegate or a deputy (e.g. Treating Vet for the event) Other Vet Examinations:- Other Vet Examinations:- Second Vet Exam in Eventing (CCI) & Driving) by (F)VD + GJ member Second Vet Exam in Eventing (CCI) & Driving) by (F)VD + GJ member examination at the Vet gates in Endurance Riding by Vet Commission examination at the Vet gates in Endurance Riding by Vet Commission

First Vet Exam Objectives:- verify the identity of the horse from passport verify the identity of the horse from passport check vaccination status is satisfactory check vaccination status is satisfactory complete passport control complete passport control check the animal has not been in contact with animals suffering from infectious disease (strangles) or from infected premises check the animal has not been in contact with animals suffering from infectious disease (strangles) or from infected premises if a Pony check official measurement certificate if a Pony check official measurement certificate carry out clinical exam carry out clinical exam [“in barn exam”]

overall health check particularly for infectious diseases (TPR etc) before entry to stables overall health check particularly for infectious diseases (TPR etc) before entry to stables brief palpation of limbs (for soft tissue injuries), neck & back - don’t trot up!! brief palpation of limbs (for soft tissue injuries), neck & back - don’t trot up!! details included on Horse Data Form details included on Horse Data Form Remember horses are not eliminated at this examination. Remember horses are not eliminated at this examination. if infectious disease suspected  isolate horse & report to Appeal Committee if infectious disease suspected  isolate horse & report to Appeal Committee First Vet Exam

immediately after completing Phase D immediately after completing Phase D experienced treating vet/Vet Comm member experienced treating vet/Vet Comm member visual inspection at finish for exhaustion visual inspection at finish for exhaustion clinical exam + TPR clinical exam + TPR repeat clinical exam + TPR every 10 min for ~ 30 min repeat clinical exam + TPR every 10 min for ~ 30 min details completed in Horse Data Form details completed in Horse Data Form Second Vet Exam - in Eventing

Second Vet Exam at 2004 Olympics, Athens

Horse Inspections - general  check list prior to First Horse Inspection  requirements for site & surface  inspection protocol  Holding Box procedure  potential problems at Horse Inspections  use of the Horse data form  passport control at HIs  medication control at HIs

check organisation & responsibility:- check organisation & responsibility:- public address system & commentary public address system & commentary time tabling time tabling order of presentation of horses order of presentation of horses FEI stewarding FEI stewarding arrangements for spectators arrangements for spectators holding box holding box Holding box arrangements - site & surface Holding box arrangements - site & surface composition of Horse Inspection Panel:- composition of Horse Inspection Panel:- Ground Jury + Vet. Del/FVD Ground Jury + Vet. Del/FVD appointment of Examining Vet appointment of Examining Vet meet with GJ to discuss procedure for the Inspection meet with GJ to discuss procedure for the Inspection Check list for Horse Inspections

Site & surface of Horse Inspection site should be close to main inspection area, but out of sight of the public site should be close to main inspection area, but out of sight of the public surface must be firm, level & not slippery:- surface must be firm, level & not slippery:- Freshly laid tarmac, ashphalt Freshly laid tarmac, ashphalt Competition area scraped to its base, watered & rolled Competition area scraped to its base, watered & rolled Firm gravel or stone dust road swept to remove loose stones Firm gravel or stone dust road swept to remove loose stones length - 50 metres for horses to be examined at walk & trot length - 50 metres for horses to be examined at walk & trot

Barcelona 1992 Barcelona 1992 The Hague 1994 The Hague 1994 Pratoni 1998 Pratoni 1998 Site & surface of Horse Inspection

Horses leave Horses enter Pass/fail Doubtful Ground Jury & Vet Delegate Passport check turn halt walk trot trot Holding Box Examining Vet Spectator area Perimeter fence Horse Inspection procedure

 presentation of horse to the Committee:- visual inspection by vet visual inspection by vet passport identification Vet Comm/Assoc Vet Del passport identification Vet Comm/Assoc Vet Del  walk 10 paces or so  trot on loose rein for m & trot back 50 m  horse is then:- passed/failed passed/failed sent to Holding box sent to Holding box  re-inspection after report from Examining Vet  decision of GJ, President is final and no appeal Horse Inspection procedure

Visual inspection by vet

Horse Inspection procedure on loose rein, active walk & trot on loose rein, active walk & trot PR on left side of the horse PR on left side of the horse use of whip - varies with discipline use of whip - varies with discipline Trotting up

Holding Box specifications box should be sited close to HI track, but out of public view box should be sited close to HI track, but out of public view stewarding important to restrict access & organise a queue if necessary stewarding important to restrict access & organise a queue if necessary surface should ideally be the same as HI track and level surface should ideally be the same as HI track and level space should be available to trot & lunge horse if necessary space should be available to trot & lunge horse if necessary

appointment of Examining Veterinarian appointment of Examining Veterinarian planning meeting of GJ & Vet Commission planning meeting of GJ & Vet Commission exam of ? lame horse in holding box:- exam of ? lame horse in holding box:- visual & brief lameness exam visual & brief lameness exam PR & Team Vet in attendance PR & Team Vet in attendance possible withdrawal of horse possible withdrawal of horse Examining Vet reports to Panel Examining Vet reports to Panel Panel re-inspects horse & makes final decision Panel re-inspects horse & makes final decision Final decision relayed to PR & public - no appeals Final decision relayed to PR & public - no appeals Holding Box procedure

Examination by Examining Veterinarian:- receive history from Vet Delegate receive history from Vet Delegate visual inspection & palpation of limbs visual inspection & palpation of limbs use of hoof testers & passive flexion of joints use of hoof testers & passive flexion of joints lameness evaluation including trotting on a circle lameness evaluation including trotting on a circle do not do flexion tests unless clearly indicated do not do flexion tests unless clearly indicated Holding Box exam

Passport Control at HIs It is customary to check the identification of horses at the 1st Horse Inspection at Olympic games, WEG & Championships It is customary to check the identification of horses at the 1st Horse Inspection at Olympic games, WEG & Championships This is done by a vet who confirms the identity from the passport description just before the is presented to the Inspection Panel This is done by a vet who confirms the identity from the passport description just before the is presented to the Inspection Panel

Horse Data Form designed originally for long format CCIs designed originally for long format CCIs monitor welfare and health status of horses throughout the competition, particularly at hot/humid events monitor welfare and health status of horses throughout the competition, particularly at hot/humid events used extensively in USA and at Olympic and WEG used extensively in USA and at Olympic and WEG modified to short format and CICs modified to short format and CICs

Identification details of horse & rider Identification details of horse & rider 1st (Arrival) Exam details + Passport check 1st (Arrival) Exam details + Passport check 1st Horse Inspection result - Pass/fail/hold + comments from Vet Delegate 1st Horse Inspection result - Pass/fail/hold + comments from Vet Delegate 2nd Horse Inspection (10 Min Box) TPR & clinical details 2nd Horse Inspection (10 Min Box) TPR & clinical details 3rd Horse Inspection result - Pass/fail/hold + comments from Vet Delegate 3rd Horse Inspection result - Pass/fail/hold + comments from Vet Delegate Use of Horse Data Form

Medication Control at HIs it is possible to select horses for medication control out of a HI it is possible to select horses for medication control out of a HI Testing Vet or (F)VD must be organised to receive any horses immediately after the HI Testing Vet or (F)VD must be organised to receive any horses immediately after the HI the decision to select should come from the Inspection Panel with vet advice the decision to select should come from the Inspection Panel with vet advice in Jumping if a horse is re-inspected the next day and passes then it should be considered for medication control in Jumping if a horse is re-inspected the next day and passes then it should be considered for medication control

General problems: General problems: not keeping the public properly informed - P.A. system etc not keeping the public properly informed - P.A. system etc poor stewarding & crowd control; cheering during the inspection poor stewarding & crowd control; cheering during the inspection poor site & surface poor site & surface appeals from Chefs, vets, riders appeals from Chefs, vets, riders dealing with horses not accepted dealing with horses not accepted Veterinary problems: Veterinary problems: ignoring Vet members of Inspection Panel ignoring Vet members of Inspection Panel not setting a standard of ‘fitness’ & sticking to it not setting a standard of ‘fitness’ & sticking to it leaving the Inspection entirely to the vets leaving the Inspection entirely to the vets overriding the opinions of the Vet members overriding the opinions of the Vet members Potential problems at HIs

HIs in Eventing CCIs:- CCIs:- First Inspection - day before Dressage First Inspection - day before Dressage Second Inspection - after Phase C Second Inspection - after Phase C Inspection in the C Halt (not mandatory) Inspection in the C Halt (not mandatory) Third Inspection - morning of Jumping Third Inspection - morning of Jumping Inspections in the short format & CICs Inspections in the short format & CICs Will vary according to the type of competition (i.e. CIC*, CIC**, CIC***, short format event) Will vary according to the type of competition (i.e. CIC*, CIC**, CIC***, short format event)

HIs in CICs the standard protocol can be used for “short format” or other CICs  HI before Dressage & Jumping Tests the standard protocol can be used for “short format” or other CICs  HI before Dressage & Jumping Tests a standard HI must be held if Jumping is held the day after the Cross Country a standard HI must be held if Jumping is held the day after the Cross Country If Cross Country is held after the Jumping then “fitness” will be assessed in the Dressage Test If Cross Country is held after the Jumping then “fitness” will be assessed in the Dressage Test If Jumping is held after Cross Country on same day & no HI has been held  horses will be assessed in the warm up arena before they compete If Jumping is held after Cross Country on same day & no HI has been held  horses will be assessed in the warm up arena before they compete

Horse Inspection Panel:- Horse Inspection Panel:- Ground Jury members Ground Jury members (Foreign) Vet. Delegate (Foreign) Vet. Delegate Role of Vet. Delegate/FVD Role of Vet. Delegate/FVD Holding area/Examining Vet Holding area/Examining Vet Spectators/Public address system Spectators/Public address system Horses may be a bit stiff at 3 rd Inspection Horses may be a bit stiff at 3 rd Inspection General points Eventing - 1st & 3rd Horse Inspections

experienced vets and assistants essential experienced vets and assistants essential completion of Horse Data Forms completion of Horse Data Forms thermometers capable of > 42 o F thermometers capable of > 42 o F facilities for cooling horses - shade, water, ice, fans facilities for cooling horses - shade, water, ice, fans General points Vet exams & inspections on Cross Country Day

cordoned off area for Halt with facilities for cooling, shade etc cordoned off area for Halt with facilities for cooling, shade etc Vet Del/FVD + GJ member +vet assistant (?vet student) in attendance Vet Del/FVD + GJ member +vet assistant (?vet student) in attendance horse should trot into Box horse should trot into Box brief clinical exam + TPR brief clinical exam + TPR follow-up exam in 7 min ± trot up for soundness follow-up exam in 7 min ± trot up for soundness details completed on Horse Data Form details completed on Horse Data Form Procedure for Second HI The Hague’94 10 Minute Box

Vet check area Horses finish Phase C & enter box Horses prepared for Phase D Vet surveillance continues Horses leave for Phase D 2nd Vet check & jog Procedure for Second HI 10 Min Box

Examples of 10 Min Box The Hague’94 Stockholm’90 Atlanta’96Barcelona’92

HIs in Jumping 2 special considerations apply: Re-inspection of horses referred to the Holding Box is permitted the day after the HI. Prior to this the GJ, Vet Del & Examining Vet must confer about the horses listed for re-inspection. The procedure will consist of a brief clinical examination before walking & trotting before the Inspection Panel. Horses accepted may have to undergo medication control testing Re-inspection of horses referred to the Holding Box is permitted the day after the HI. Prior to this the GJ, Vet Del & Examining Vet must confer about the horses listed for re-inspection. The procedure will consist of a brief clinical examination before walking & trotting before the Inspection Panel. Horses accepted may have to undergo medication control testing If a horse is clearly “unfit to compete” and no member of the GJ is present, the Vet Del may recommend that the President eliminate the horse without further re-inspection provided the horse has been examined in the Holding Box If a horse is clearly “unfit to compete” and no member of the GJ is present, the Vet Del may recommend that the President eliminate the horse without further re-inspection provided the horse has been examined in the Holding Box

HIs in Driving Where large numbers of horses are to be inspected it maybe necessary to provide 2 Inspection Panels. For horses sent to the Holding Box both Panels come together to hear the report of the Examining Vet and then inspect the horse before making a final decision Where large numbers of horses are to be inspected it maybe necessary to provide 2 Inspection Panels. For horses sent to the Holding Box both Panels come together to hear the report of the Examining Vet and then inspect the horse before making a final decision There is no longer a 3rd HI. Instead a “Final Observation before Competition C” in harness is carried out under the surveillance of the GJ. A vet will be in attendance There is no longer a 3rd HI. Instead a “Final Observation before Competition C” in harness is carried out under the surveillance of the GJ. A vet will be in attendance

HIs in other disciplines Endurance Endurance at Vet Gates  assessment fitness, metabolic condition, & lameness at Vet Gates  assessment fitness, metabolic condition, & lameness Final Inspection at finish of ride Final Inspection at finish of ride Vaulting Vaulting Problems with lame horses in early years, but situation now much improved Problems with lame horses in early years, but situation now much improved Reining Reining This discipline has much to learn about FEI HI s!! This discipline has much to learn about FEI HI s!! Jerez’03

Conclusions Vet exams & HI’s are an integral part of FEI competition and have important health & welfare implications Vet exams & HI’s are an integral part of FEI competition and have important health & welfare implications the scheme of standardisation of HI’s emphasises the role of the vet. A thorough knowledge of Art 1011 is therefore esential the scheme of standardisation of HI’s emphasises the role of the vet. A thorough knowledge of Art 1011 is therefore esential they need to be carried out professionally & in the best spirit of cooperation and collaboration they need to be carried out professionally & in the best spirit of cooperation and collaboration Vets are facilitators in equestrian sport ensuring that as many horses as possible compete safely throughout an event Vets are facilitators in equestrian sport ensuring that as many horses as possible compete safely throughout an event

Thanks for listening!