Less than a week after the resolution of the legal dispute concerning World Cup mount Sapphire, ridden by McLain Ward (USA), new international guidelines for the evaluation of hypersensitivity have been issued, according to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

"Following the Sapphire disqualification and the legal challenge, the FEI examined carefully the protocol as it was applied in Geneva," said Lisa Lazarus, JD, FEI General Counsel. "The FEI stands firmly by the protocol, but during the process various opportunities to clarify and strengthen it became apparent to the FEI. The (new) guidelines…reflect that effort to strengthen and clarify the existing protocol."

According to the guidelines, thermography examinations will remain a part of the whole hypersensitivity evaluation process, and responsible parties of disqualified horses will be informed of the decision and process via written explanation. Provisions are provided for the re-examination of horses before a competition under certain circumstances, and no horses can be eliminated retroactively for hypersensitivity.

Thermography "is not the definitive tool," however, according to Graeme Cooke, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, FEI Veterinary Director. Even if the thermography results are negative, a manual examination of the horse's legs could be positive and result in a decision to disqualify. "We believe to be the most important element," he said