VETERINARY DEPARTMENT

The Veterinary department of the Federation has an active and varied role to play in the growth and welfare of the equine sporting industry. Veterinary input is not discipline specific, but covers all aspects of the veterinary care and welfare of competing horses from birth to retirement.

The Veterinary Department provides and organizes veterinary services for equine events nationally and internationally; organizes and supervises the Medication Control Program (MCP) at events; prepares and maintains statistics for endurance rides; undertakes all aspects of Horse Registrations and issuance of horse passports - national and FEI, including recording changes of name, nationality, ownership etc.; liaises with the FEI on variety of issues ; liaises with MAF authorities and shipping companies; supervises quarantines; monitors equine health status locally and internationally and health requirements for international movement.

The Veterinary Department prepares and conducts veterinary educational programs and does its best to ensure that all respect and abide by the FEI’s Code of Conduct for the welfare of the horse.

Continuous education is conducted for all veterinary and related officials already participating in the various veterinary related activities and the ones coming up, by offering guidance and educating them to ensure optimum health status of horses in the country, during various equestrian events. Officials deputed by the Federation are always available to provide all necessary assistance.

The Department works jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Water as Members of the Higher Technical committee to evolve guidelines to protect and raise the level of equine health in the country.

The sports disciplines of endurance, Show Jumping, Eventing and Dressage are held in specially constructed villages with well-equipped clinics and manned by experienced clinical veterinarians.

FEI Veterinarians under UAE are the responsibility of their National Federation. Veterinarians wishing to attend and treat horses at FEI events must be registered as Permitted Treating Veterinarians through the National Federation. The Veterinary Department maintains and promotes and follows up their star status.