NZ Standardbred Breeders' Association

Whisker and Ear Trimming Rules

Subject to review. The rules and information in this section are under active review by NZSBA.

From 1 January 2022 , the trimming of a horse or pony's whiskers, eye or inner ear hair is banned for all horses and ponies exhibiting or competing at affiliated A&P Shows or Kindred Events.

Background — the educational period

The period of 1 August 2021 – 31 December 2021 was used as an educational period. If any horse or pony was noted to have had whiskers, eyes or inner ears trimmed, the exhibitor/competitor could be given a copy of the RAS whisker, eye & ear trimming pamphlet for educational purposes and to bring their attention to the upcoming ban. Any horse or pony that had already been trimmed over winter could use the period until 31 December 2021 as a regrowth period, as whiskers and inner ear hair take time to regrow.

RAS Equestrian Rule — GR.6

  • The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) has teamed with Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) and NZ Pony Club (and the FEI from 2021) and banned the trimming of whiskers, eye and inner ear hair for horses and ponies competing at affiliated A&P Shows and Kindred Events from 1 January 2022.
  • RAS rules state GR6 Abuse of Exhibits b) Abuse can be defined as intentionally acting in a way which may cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse.
  • RAS further considers other examples of abuse (but not limited to): whipping or beating an exhibit excessively; subjecting an exhibit to any kind of electric shock device; excessive or persistent use of spurs; jabbing the exhibit in the mouth with the bit; remounting or attempting to remount an obviously exhausted, lame or injured exhibit; rapping an exhibit anywhere in or outside the grounds of the event; hyper-sensitising any part of an exhibit; leaving an exhibit without adequate food, drink and exercise.
  • Any person witnessing any form of abuse should utilise the RAS Resolution Process. For the purposes of this matter — illegal trimming of whiskers, eye or inner ear hair — from 1 January 2022 a protest form should be filed with the affiliated A&P Show/Kindred Event, citing the rule broken as being GR6 b. All affiliated Shows & Events have a template protest form available through the RAS Resolution Process.

Why whiskers and ear hair matter

  • Horses have whiskers on their face around their eyes and muzzle (nose and lips). In these locations, whiskers not only help protect delicate tissue, but also help compensate for the blind spots a horse has in front of its face and underneath its nose.
  • A horse's whiskers (called vibrissae) are an incredibly important sense for them. The whiskers around the eyes and muzzle are extremely sensitive and have a rich nerve supply.
  • Ear hair serves a few special functions: to protect the inner ear skin from bugs, sun and foreign objects. The outer edge of the ear also grows hair, and in some cases can get quite wild.
  • With ears, you can find a happy medium — clip the edges of the ear by folding it like a taco and running your clippers down the outside of the ear. Leave the insides alone.