By Nick Butler

Princess Haya alongside OIE director general Bernard Vallat (left) and other representatives from major health organisations, during the meetingA major milestone in the drive to improve the international movement of high-level horses has been hailed by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) following a "pivotal decision" by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).


During the General Session of the World Assembly of OIE Delegates in Paris, attended by figures from 178 countries, a specific OIE mandate to work with Governments around the world was agreed upon.

This should ensure a harmonised process for moving sport horses for major international competitions.

Until now, many Governments have had strict procedures in place when importing and exporting horses, to protect against the threat of disease among the general horse population.

But this is less of a concern for elite level performance horses due to the meticulous veterinary care they enjoy, although many of the procedures have still applied. 

The new "high health, high performance horse" (HHP) concept, included within a new OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter, will begin in 2014 and will be seen at the Asian Games in Incheon in September after South Korean authorities granted their approval. 

The news comes less than 18 months after the FEI and the OIE embarked on a three-year public-private partnership in response to a "clearly expressed demand from countries for help in improving the cross-border movement of top-level sport horses".

It is hoped this will end a long-standing problem for the equestrian community, seen most famously at the Melbourne 1956 Games, when equestrian events were held at the other side of the world, in Stockholm, due to strict Australian quarantine regulations.

The new measures will be in place at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, beginning on September 19 ©AFP/Getty ImagesThe new measures will be in place at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, beginning on September 19 ©AFP/Getty Images



"This is a landmark development in global access to equestrian sport," said FEI President Princess Haya.

"It means our athletes, who are working so hard to represent their countries at key international events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, have the opportunity do so in future with practical and safe horse movement approaches from Governments around the world.

"We are extremely grateful to everyone within the OIE, FEI and the racing world, who have seen the necessity for this, and have dedicated themselves to enhancing horse sport and further opening up the economic benefits for communities working with horses.

"We're now looking forward to the job ahead, and to working to create the conditions necessary for success."

This follows the setting up last November of the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC), the first formal alliance between the world's leading governing bodies for racing and equestrian sport, which has a specific goal to improve horse transportation.

Several international conferences organised for Government veterinary and animal health experts around the world over the last three years, including in Hong Kong, Panama City and Mexico, have also contributed to the surging support for the HHP framework.

Bernard Vallat, OIE director general, added: "We have worked with the FEI for over ten years to identify practical national veterinary requirements.

"We have recently advanced further quickly, presenting government experts around the world with solutions to meet their specific requirements based on the OIE standards of compartmentalisation and harnessing our public-private partnership.

"This has been key to today's outcome.

"Our members fully understood the need for finding a way with all details needed to better recognise the lower risk of moving such highly supervised horses within OIE Standards, and the HHP concept does that.

"There has also been a recognition of the economic impact of the equine industry and this concept will allow countries to tap into the potential income associated with increasing numbers of FEI and horse racing events."