Hyperflexion or rollkür has been banned in Switzerland, during training and competition, and is now prohibited by law.
The highly controversial movement, used by some in the dressage arena, is defined as “flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force.”
While hyperflexion has already been banned by the FEI in competition, Switzerland is the first country to outlaw it. The new rule came into effect January 1, 2014 as per Article 21 of the country’s animal protection act, which states that it is forbidden to “force the horse to maintain neck hyperflexion (rollkur).”
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