Microchipping, controversial tack equipment, medication fines, obligatory postmortem exams, breakaway eventing fences, and even improved training education were among the hot topics on the table this year at the General Assembly of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) held Nov. 11-14 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Other discussions of the international governing body for equestrian sports included the rotation of veterinary officials at events, ways to facilitate international horse transport, and smartphone apps that will help equestrians and veterinarians verify medications with the Clean Sport rules, according to the FEI report on the assembly’s main decisions.

Approved modifications to the 12th edition of the FEI Veterinary Regulations called for obligatory microchipping of all horses being registered with the FEI for the first time, according to the FEI report. The microchip must be associated with a specifically standardized 15-digit number in accordance with FEI regulations.

Concerning tack equipment, bit buddies were determined likely to "encourage rough handling of the bit," the report stated. Cornell collars were recognized as contributing to a displaced soft palate, a respiratory disorder. Free-standing tongue guards were declared more severe than guards that are fixed to the bit. The aforementioned devices will be "examined over the year at the request of the disciplines," according to the FEI report