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

Overview

• This study examined the use of a new FEI noseband measurement device to check the tightness of horse nosebands during the 2025 British Dressage Championships.
• The research aimed to assess how many horses passed the noseband tightness test and to analyze associated factors like noseband type and horse compliance during testing.

Background and Purpose

• Proper fitting of horse equipment, particularly nosebands, is important for horse comfort and welfare.
• The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) introduced, in May 2025, an objective measuring device designed to ensure nosebands are not overtightened by assessing sufficient laxity.
• The main goal was to evaluate how this new device is used in practice and what pass rates occur during official tack checks at a major national championship event.

Methods

• The study took place at the 2025 British Dressage National Championship events, observing 523 competing horses.
• At the mandatory tack inspections, stewards used the FEI noseband measuring device on each horse’s noseband.
• Five parameters were recorded for each test:
  • The measurement outcome: pass or fail based on noseband tightness
  • The type of noseband used (Swedish, flash, cavesson, drop, grackle)
  • The type of bridle
  • The horse’s compliance during the insertion and passage of the device beneath the noseband
  • The steward’s confidence rating regarding the test procedure
• Data analyses consisted of frequency counts and descriptive statistics to summarize results and examine differences.

Findings

• 95% of the observed horses passed the FEI noseband measurement device test, indicating sufficient noseband looseness.
• The most commonly used noseband type was the Swedish (39%), followed by flash (29%), cavesson (21%), drop (9%), and grackle (2%).
• Horse compliance during the noseband check was very high, with 96% of horses rated as ‘compliant’ by the stewards when the device was inserted under the noseband.
• No behavioural assessments were made to evaluate stress or discomfort.

Conclusions and Implications

• The study indicates that most competitors at the British Dressage 2025 Championships are using nosebands with appropriate fit and laxity, as evidenced by the high pass rate.
• This contrasts with previous reports that found many horses wearing overtightened nosebands in competitions, suggesting a positive shift.
• Reasons for this improvement may include:
  • Better education and awareness about the negative welfare impacts of overtight nosebands
  • The effect of mandatory use of the FEI measurement device and testing, encouraging compliance with welfare standards
• The lack of behavioural assessment means the study does not address whether the testing itself or noseband tightness impacts horse stress or comfort directly.

Overall Significance

• The research provides valuable real-world data on noseband fitting practices in a competitive equestrian setting using a new objective measurement technology.
• It supports the FEI’s approach to improving equine welfare through enforceable equipment guidelines and may encourage broader adoption of such assessment tools.
• Future research could add behavioural and physiological measures to better understand the welfare implications of noseband tightness and testing methods.