Equestrian Australia has banned the trimming of sensory hairs effective from 1st July 2022.
The FEI banned the trimming of whiskers as of 1st July 2021. Following the FEI ruling, the Equestrian Australia board voted to implement the same ban for all National EA events and disciplines.
Reasons for Ban
- Equestrian Australia advises that sensory hairs located around the mouth, nose and eyes are an important sensory organ for the horse and should not be removed for cosmetic purposes.
- Removing whiskers reduces the horse’s sensory ability. It can disrupt a horse’s natural behavior and communication.
- The FEI has warned that the practice of removing whiskers can cause horses to develop skin lesions and other health problems.
Exemption to the rule: Sensory hairs that have been removed by a veterinarian to prevent pain or discomfort for the horse.
What are horse whiskers?
Whiskers/sensory hairs are a coarse hair-like structure. Found around the horse’s eyes and muzzle. They are long, stiff hairs that protrude from the face of a horse.
Why is it different from regular hair?
These amazing sensory hairs have their own nerve and blood supply. Their follicles are deeper and larger than other hair follicles. And with a richer blood supply and a connection to far more nerves than regular hairs.
Functions of horse whiskers
The whiskers on a horse play an important role in their sensory awareness system. Whiskers are incredibly sensitive to touch, even if it’s something as subtle as air movements.
- It helps horses navigate their surroundings.
- The length of the whiskers determines the safe distance from unfamiliar objects, compensating for the blind spots a horse has in front of its face and underneath its nose.
- They also enable the horse to understand unfamiliar characteristics of food or detect small inedible objects.
- The whiskers, present on both upper and lower eyelids, provide an automatic blink response when they encounter something like a fly or contact with an object which helps protect the eye itself.
- Due to the whiskers having a good nerve supply, one study has even suggested that horses may be capable of picking up vibrational energy through their whiskers, which might help them detect sound frequencies. Or feel the energy in an electric fence without touching it.
Impact of the Ban
You will not be permitted to compete in EA events if your horse’s whiskers have been clipped or shaved (unless for veterinary reasons).
Conclusion
While the whiskers may seem like insignificant hairs, whiskers are important for horses’ safety and should not be removed without good reason.
For more info, visit Equestrian Australia website or click the link below.
https://www.equestriaorg.au/content/sensory-hairs
Debbie is the founder of My Horse Supplies. She has had a lifelong love affair with horses. She currently runs an agistment centre, as well as caring for nearly 20 of her own horses.