The Danish Equestrian Federation (DRF) will ban double bridles under stage 4 in dressage from 1 September 2025, as a part of new horse welfare reforms. Degree 4 is roughly equal to Britain’s superior medium.
“The change is a part of a professionally based mostly growth of the game, the place the rider’s preparation and the horse’s welfare go hand in hand,” mentioned a spokesperson from the DRF’s Dressage Committee.
“The committee helps the truth that this adjustment helps a extra balanced development within the training of each horse and rider.”
The broader moral pointers, which the ban is part of, reinforce the precept that horse welfare should all the time come first, no matter aggressive or business pressures. “The horse’s welfare is paramount and must not ever be subordinate to aggressive or business pursuits,” the rules state.
The rules have been developed with enter from researchers, veterinarians, and equestrian professionals, and will probably be recurrently up to date to mirror new analysis. They intention to ascertain a sensible and moral framework for using horses in each every day coaching and competitors for all DRF members.
Coaching strategies that danger bodily or psychological hurt, reminiscent of hyperflexion compelled via rein strain, extreme use of spurs or whips, or driving visibly distressed or unsound horses, are additionally banned.
Zero-tolerance to abuse
The DRF add that they may take a zero-tolerance strategy to all circumstances of abuse. Officers are actually required to intervene the place welfare is compromised, and all violations have to be formally reported. Sanctions for severe breaches embrace fines, suspensions, or exclusion from the game.
“Compromising good horse welfare is rarely acceptable, whether or not it’s deliberate or because of lack of understanding or consideration,” the rules proceed.
DRF chairman, Kimi Nielsen, added: “It’s the [DRF’s] ambition that Denmark each competes on the prime stage by way of sport and on the similar time stands as a world position mannequin for the game and for horse welfare in follow.”
These modifications come within the context of broader efforts to reform equestrian sport in Denmark, pushed by rising public scrutiny and requires stricter regulation following two high-profile welfare controversies involving prime dressage riders Andreas Helgstrand and Carina Cassøe Krüth. Andreas was the topic of a 2023 documentary that uncovered harsh coaching strategies, whereas Carina drew criticism after a video surfaced exhibiting her placing a horse with a whip.
In response to rising public concern, the Danish Council on Animal Ethics – a authorities advisory physique – issued a set of suggestions in December 2024. These included calls to ban the double bridle and the follow of driving horses behind the vertical.
Some modifications have already taken impact. Since 1 January, nosebands have been elective in any respect dressage ranges. Riders at decrease ranges might now compete in a bitless bridle, and the double bridle has turn into elective at larger ranges.
11 initiatives to reform horse sport
Danish Minister of Meals, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen has offered 11 proposed initiatives aimed toward reforming horse sport. These observe a evaluate of welfare suggestions by each the Danish Council for Animal Ethics and the Danish Animal Welfare Service, carried out by the Danish Veterinary and Meals Administration..
Among the many proposals are a ban on spurs and double bridles for inexperienced riders, with their use restricted to those that have accomplished permitted coaching in horse behaviour, ache indicators, and physiology. There would even be a requirement for professionals working with horses to bear related animal welfare coaching.
The proposals name for higher circumstances for horses, together with extra alternatives totally free motion in paddocks and social interplay with different horses. A nationwide ban on hyperflexion can also be into consideration.
“Sadly, we’ve seen circumstances the place the welfare of horses has been disregarded within the pursuit of outcomes,” Mr Jensen mentioned. “Because the accountable minister, I can’t settle for that. That’s the reason we’re tightening the foundations and making it clearer what’s allowed and what’s not allowed when horses are used for sport.
“And in the event you break the foundations, there should, in fact, be penalties. On the similar time, I’ll struggle within the EU for the Danish guidelines to be raised to worldwide requirements. As a result of we should be capable of compete on equal phrases – and that should not occur on the expense of animal welfare.”
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H&H dressage and sport horse editor
Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for prime dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course at school. Below Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
