Pass rates using the FEI noseband measurement device at British Dressage 2025 Championships.

Authors

Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Hilary M Clayton, Jane M Williams, David Marlin, Vicki Walker, Rachel Murray

Published in

Equine veterinary journal. Oct 05, 2026. Epub Oct 05, 2026.

Abstract

Appropriate fitting of equipment provides horse comfort and avoids compromising equine welfare. In May 2025, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) introduced an evidence-based measuring device that is passed beneath the noseband to ensure sufficient laxity.
To study the use of the FEI noseband device during mandatory tack and equipment checks at British Dressage Championships.
Observational.
Noseband testing was observed for a total of 523 horses competing at the 2025 British Dressage National Championship, Middle Tour Championship and Area Festival Championship. During each inspection using the FEI noseband measurement device, five parameters were recorded: (1) measurement outcome (pass/fail), (2) noseband type, (3) bridle type, (4) horse compliance and (5) steward confidence. Frequency analyses and descriptive statistics were used to compare differences.
In the majority of horses (95%), the noseband had sufficient laxity to pass the noseband check. Horses ridden with nosebands most frequently used the Swedish (39%), followed by a flash (29%), cavesson (21%), drop (9%), and grackle (2%) nosebands. Horse compliance during insertion and passage of the FEI measurement device beneath the noseband was graded as 'compliant' by stewards in 96% of horses.
No behavioural assessment carried out.
This study found that a high percentage of horses were ridden with a noseband with sufficient laxity to pass the noseband check. Previously published data from competition horses reported much larger proportions of horses wearing overtightened nosebands compared with the data presented here. These differences may relate to improved education relating to the impact of noseband tightness or may be a consequence of the introduction of mandatory testing of noseband tightness.

PMID:
42833626
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.