The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) has announced the launch of its new “Beat the Heat” campaign.

Its purpose: to help national federations, FEI officials and event organizers, as well as the wider equestrian community, protect horse and athlete welfare when organizing, competing and officiating in hot and humid conditions.  

The campaign is being conducted across the FEI’s social media platforms. It includes a new guide, a series of animated videos and additional educational resources. 

Guide

The Beat the Heat guide was compiled primarily for FEI event organizers and officials. However, it can be useful for anyone managing horses in hot weather.
 
The document is based on extensive research developed by the FEI since the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. It contains practical advice on the best ways to provide cool and comfortable conditions for horses at FEI events during the hot months.

It also encourages all those competing and working in such conditions to take care of their own health. To that end, it provides helpful tips on protection and recovery for the human body. The guide can be beneficial to athletes, grooms and staff alike.
 
The FEI urges equestrians to download the Beat the Heat guide and/or distribute the link as widely as possible.

Video

The FEI has produced an animated series of eight Beat the Heat videos. These outline the impact of heat and humidity on both horses and humans, explaining how they affect performance, training, food and daily routines. The videos provide useful recommendations on how to prepare for, travel to and manage competitions under hot and humid conditions. They also teach how to recognize signs of heat-related illness and emergencies, and how to respond properly.
 
These videos are available on FEI Campus, the FEI’s e-learning and community platform. There is no need to log in to access the videos.
 
The FEI encourages everyone to watch the videos and share them to others in equestrian circles.

Social media and educational resources

The Beat the Heat campaign will be conducted on social media through 19 August. Its focus is prevention, and it is designed for a wide equestrian audience. Riders, grooms and event officials are encouraged to like, share and support the campaign to increase its reach and visibility. 

To learn more, visit FEI Campus, where approved educational content on everything equestrian is available for free.

Additional information

As the international governing body of equestrian sports, the FEI has carried out numerous studies over the past 30 years to determine the most appropriate measures of keeping horses and humans healthy in hot weather. For more detailed information and to consult these studies, check the FEI Knowledge Base.
 
For questions regarding horse welfare at FEI events, contact [email protected]. Questions regarding FEI athletes may be directed to [email protected].