The FEI has issued an emergency update to its Veterinary Regulations: Article 1004.4, which becomes enforceable 1 July 2025, strictly prohibits any substance used inside or around a horse’s mouth or tongue that could imitate, induce, or cause foaming, or coat or partially cover the bit

Previously confined to dressage and para-dressage rulebooks, this ban now spans all FEI disciplines. Continued use of “fake foam” products—ranging from marshmallow fluff to sugar‑based sticky pastes—will result in a Yellow Warning Card and elimination from competition .

The rule change was prompted by multiple reports and images from FEI events showing horses with thick, sticky foam likely intended to mask oral lesions or tongue discoloration—not natural saliva. Experts in equine welfare welcomed the move, warning such substances can be harmful and conceal more serious mouth injuries.

A protocol webinar for officials took place on 27 June, and a detailed implementation protocol is available on Inside.FEI.org

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