The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) working group tasked with expanding current guidelines for stewards to facilitate clear implementation of the policy on warm-up techniques following on from the recent round-table conference on hyperflexion/Rollkur was finalized Feb. 18.

The working group aims to have the guidelines completed by the end of March 2010.

The working group is expected to put forward proposals for the education of stewards to ensure that FEI rules are strictly adhered to and that the welfare of the horse is maintained at all times.

Guidelines for stewards will incorporate the use of a range of sanctions, including verbal warnings and yellow cards for riders who transgress. Stewards will also be reminded to watch out for signs of distress in the horse, which might include but are not limited to obvious fatigue, profound or inappropriate sweating, persistent rough use of aids (i.e. bits, spurs, or whip), and over repetition of exercises