Understanding FEI Rules & PEMF in Competition.
The FEI Veterinary Regulations govern every therapy used at sanctioned equestrian events worldwide. This page breaks down exactly where PEMF fits — what’s permitted, what’s restricted, what’s prohibited, and what you need to do to stay compliant.
The International Governing Body for Equestrian Sport.
The Fédération Équestre Internationale — universally known as the FEI — is the international federation governing all Olympic and Paralympic equestrian disciplines. Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the FEI sets the rules, safety standards, and veterinary regulations that apply at every sanctioned international equestrian event worldwide.
The FEI Veterinary Regulations are updated and published annually. Every athlete, horse owner, trainer, groom, and support personnel at an FEI event is responsible for knowing and complying with these regulations — regardless of whether they personally administer a therapy or operate equipment.
136
National Federations
under FEI governance
7
National Federations
under FEI governance
2026
National Federations
under FEI governance
Ch.V1
National Federations
under FEI governance
The Three-Tier Framework.
Non-Restricted Supportive Therapies
Can be administered by any support personnel
- Static magnetic equipment (e.g. magnetic rugs, leg and neck wraps)
- Low-frequency PEMF machines below 0.1 Tesla / 1,000 Gauss
- Laser therapy (Classes I–III)
- Massage and massage equipment
- Cooling equipment
- LED (light-emitting diode) therapy devices
- Cooling and heating pads, ionic boots, kinesio-taping
- Vibration plates
- MagnaWave Semi 10 & Spiro Pulse fall here
Restricted Supportive Therapies
Must be administered by a registered Permitted Equine Therapist
Restricted therapies may only be carried out by a Permitted Equine Therapist (PET) — an individual who has registered with the FEI, demonstrated relevant training and experience, and received a reference from a licensed FEI Veterinarian.
- Electrical current devices (TENS machines, NMES, H-wave)
- Therapeutic ultrasound therapy
- Vacuum therapy
- Physical therapies — physiotherapy, acupressure, trigger point massage, myofascial release, osteopathy, chiropractic, spinal manipulation
Prohibited Supported Therapies
Strictly forbidden — horses may not compete after receiving these
Prohibited therapies are forbidden at FEI events. Horses that have received prohibited supportive therapies are not permitted to compete. Violations may result in disqualification and disciplinary action against responsible personnel.
- PEMF machines operating above 0.1 Tesla (1,000 Gauss)
- Oxygen therapy during the Event
- Intra-articular medication during the Event
- Recent blistering or firing with resulting inflammation
- Any therapy classified as a Prohibited Method under Article 1004
- Per rectum treatments
Exactly What the FEI Says About PEMF.
FEI VETERINARY REGULATIONS — CHAPTER VI, ARTICLE 1062 — NON-RESTRICTED SUPPORTIVE THERAPIES
Source: FEI Veterinary Regulations, 15th Edition — effective 1 January 2026. Full regulations available at inside.fei.org
01
Stay Below 1,000 Gauss
The single technical requirement for PEMF at FEI events: your machine’s peak electromagnetic field output must remain below 0.1 Tesla — equivalent to 1,000 Gauss. Machines above this threshold are classified as prohibited. The MagnaWave Semi 10 and Spiro Pulse both operate within this limit.
02
Be Battery Operated (Proposed)
Current regulations do not specify power source. However, the 2026 FEI Sports Forum discussed a proposal to limit PEMF at events to battery-operated devices only — to further limit electromagnetic field intensity. Both the Semi 10 and Spiro Pulse are battery-powered, making them well-positioned for any future rule changes.
03
Equipment May Be Inspected
Non-Restricted Supportive Therapies and their associated equipment are subject to routine checks by the FEI Veterinary Commission, Stewards, and FEI Officials in the stable area. Traveling with your machine’s technical specification sheet is strongly recommended so compliance can be quickly verified on-site.
04
Do Not Use High-Powered Machine
High-powered PEMF machines — which operate at many thousands of Gauss — are explicitly prohibited under FEI regulations. Using a non-compliant machine at an FEI event can result in disqualification of the horse and disciplinary proceedings against responsible personnel. Only use FEI-confirmed compliant machines.
PEMF Across FEI Disciplines.
| FEI Discipline | Compliant PEMF Permitted? | Who Can Administer | Governing Article | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dressage | ✓ Yes | PR, additional PR, support personnel | Article 1062 | Equipment subject to routine inspection in stables area |
| Show Jumping | ✓ Yes | PR, additional PR, support personnel | Article 1062 | Equipment subject to routine inspection in stables area |
| Eventing | ✓ Yes | PR, additional PR, support personnel | Article 1062 | Equipment subject to routine inspection in stables area |
| Endurance | ✓ Yes | PR, additional PR, support personnel | Article 1062 | Equipment subject to routine inspection in stables area |
| Para Equestrian | ✓ Yes | PR, additional PR, support personnel | Article 1062 | Same FEI Veterinary Regulations apply as per FEI Para Equestrian rules |
| Vaulting | ✓ Yes | PR, additional PR, support personnel | Article 1062 | Equipment subject to routine inspection in stables area |
| Reining | ✓ Yes | PR, additional PR, support personnel | Article 1062 | Equipment subject to routine inspection in stables area |
| High-Powered PEMF (any discipline) | ✗ No | Not permitted | Article 1065 | Machines above 1,000 Gauss are classified as prohibited therapies |
Always verify the current regulations for your specific discipline and event with the FEI or your National Federation before competing.
How the Rules Have Evolved.
The FEI’s approach to PEMF has become progressively more defined over time — moving from general omission to explicit classification and specific technical thresholds. Here’s how the regulatory landscape has developed.
PRE-2018
PEMF Largely Unaddressed
2018
PEMF Formally Classified
2018–2025
Rules Refined, Core Framework Maintained
2026
2026 FEI Veterinary Regulations
PROPOSED
Potential Future Restriction: Battery-Only & 100 Gauss Limit
Important: Always Verify Current Regulations
FEI Veterinary Regulations are reviewed and updated annually. The information on this page reflects the regulations as understood at the time of publication. It is the responsibility of every competitor and support team member to verify the current rules before attending an FEI-sanctioned event. The official source is inside.fei.org. Your National Federation may also publish guidance specific to your country and discipline.
Before You Compete: What to Verify.
- Confirm your machine operates below 0.1 Tesla (1,000 Gauss).Only machines confirmed compliant with this threshold are permitted at FEI events. The MagnaWave Semi 10 and Spiro Pulse meet this requirement.
- Bring your machine's technical specification documentation. Equipment is subject to routine inspection by FEI officials. Having printed or digital specs on hand allows compliance to be verified quickly without disruption.
- Ensure the machine is in good working order before departure.A malfunctioning machine that cannot have its output verified may be subject to removal from the stable area by event officials.
- Confirm the person operating the machine is recognized support personnel. Non-Restricted therapies including compliant PEMF can be administered by Personal Representatives, additional PRs, and support personnel. No PET registration is required.
- Only treat horses you are directly responsible for.FEI regulations specify that Non-Restricted therapies may only be applied by support personnel to horses they are directly responsible for at the event.
- Verify the current FEI Veterinary Regulations before your event.Rules are updated annually. Check inside.fei.org for the most current version and any updates specific to your discipline.
- Check for any event-specific veterinary guidance.Individual FEI events may have additional guidance from the Event Veterinarian or Veterinary Delegate. Consult the event schedule and any pre-event communications from the organizer.
- If your horse is under active veterinary care, consult with the Event Veterinarian. If your horse has an ongoing condition being managed by the FEI Veterinarian at the event, confirm that PEMF use is appropriate in the context of that treatment plan before proceeding.
Key Terms, Defined.
The international governing body for equestrian sport. Sets the Veterinary Regulations that apply at all FEI-sanctioned events globally.
A non-invasive wellness modality that delivers brief pulses of electromagnetic energy to the body to support cellular function. Classified as a Non-Restricted Supportive Therapy when below 1,000 Gauss.
Units of magnetic field strength. 1 Tesla = 10,000 Gauss. The FEI threshold for PEMF is 0.1 Tesla = 1,000 Gauss. Machines above this are prohibited at FEI events.
Therapies permitted at FEI events that can be administered by any support personnel without PET registration. PEMF below 1,000 Gauss falls into this category under Article 1062.
Therapies permitted at FEI events but only when administered by a registered Permitted Equine Therapist (PET). Includes electrical current devices, therapeutic ultrasound, and certain physical therapies.
Therapies forbidden at FEI events. Horses that have received prohibited therapies may not compete. PEMF above 1,000 Gauss falls into this category under Article 1065.
A registered category of support personnel introduced by the FEI in 2018, authorized to administer Restricted Supportive Therapies. PET registration is not required to use compliant PEMF machines.
The athlete’s personal representative at an FEI event — typically a trainer, manager, or team official. PRs may carry out Non-Restricted therapies on horses they are directly responsible for.
The FEI-appointed veterinary officials responsible for overseeing horse welfare and regulatory compliance at an FEI event. They conduct routine checks of equipment and therapies in the stables area.
The designated area at an FEI event where horses are stabled. This is the primary zone where supportive therapies may be administered and where equipment inspections take place.
Two Machines. Both Approved for FEI Events.
Semi 10
The Semi 10 is a high-performance PEMF machine designed for serious equine practitioners and horse owners who need professional-grade therapy at home, in the barn, and at FEI sanctioned events. Its electromagnetic field output operates within the FEI’s approved threshold — making it a trusted choice at every level of competition.
Compliant
AC Powered
Equine Athletes
IEC 60601
- Operates below FEI's 0.1 Tesla (1,000 Gauss) limit
- AC powered — requires standard outlet access at the venue
- Professional-grade output built for serious equine practitioners
- Compatible with Large Loop and Butterfly Loop attachments
- MPower animal certification included with purchase
- IEC 60601 medical-grade safety certified
- 3-year warranty, extendable to 7 years
Spiro Pulse
The Spiro Pulse combines portability with effective PEMF delivery — purpose-built for equine wellness at home, on the road, and at FEI events. Its electromagnetic output stays well within FEI regulatory limits, giving you confidence at every sanctioned competition.
Compliant
Battery Operated
Equine Wellness
IEC 60601
- Operates below FEI's 0.1 Tesla (1,000 Gauss) limit
- Battery powered — ideal for travel and competition settings
- Compact, lightweight design — easy to transport and store
- Includes XL Wave Wings attachment for broader coverage
- MPower animal certification included with purchase
- IEC 60601 medical-grade safety certified
- 3-year warranty, extendable to 7 years
Your FEI & PEMF Questions, Answered.
Is PEMF therapy legal at FEI events?
Yes — with a critical condition. PEMF is explicitly classified as a Non-Restricted Supportive Therapy under FEI Veterinary Regulations Article 1062, and is permitted at FEI-sanctioned events provided the machine’s electromagnetic field remains below 0.1 Tesla, which is equivalent to 1,000 Gauss. Machines above this threshold are prohibited. The MagnaWave Semi 10 and Spiro Pulse both operate within this limit.
Do I need to be a Permitted Equine Therapist (PET) to use PEMF at an FEI event?
No. Because compliant PEMF (below 1,000 Gauss) is classified as a Non-Restricted Supportive Therapy, it can be administered by Personal Representatives, additional PRs, and support personnel without any requirement for PET registration. PET registration is only required for Restricted Supportive Therapies such as electrical current devices, therapeutic ultrasound, and certain physical therapies.
What happens if I use a non-compliant PEMF machine at an FEI event?
Using a PEMF machine that exceeds the 1,000 Gauss threshold at an FEI event constitutes use of a Prohibited Supportive Therapy under Article 1065. Horses that have received prohibited therapies are not permitted to compete. Disciplinary proceedings may also be taken against responsible personnel. This is why it is essential to use only confirmed FEI-compliant machines at sanctioned events.
Will my PEMF machine be inspected at an FEI event?
Potentially, yes. FEI Veterinary Regulations state that Non-Restricted Supportive Therapies and associated equipment are subject to routine checks by the Veterinary Commission, Stewards, and other FEI Officials in the stable area. We recommend always traveling with your machine’s technical specification sheet — including its maximum Gauss output — to allow quick, straightforward verification if inspected.
Could PEMF therapy affect my horse's drug test?
No. PEMF therapy is entirely physical — it uses electromagnetic energy and introduces no substances whatsoever into the horse’s body. There is no risk of a compliant PEMF session producing a positive result under FEI anti-doping or controlled medication regulations. PEMF is drug-free by definition.
Do the same FEI PEMF rules apply in all disciplines?
Yes. The FEI Veterinary Regulations apply across all FEI-sanctioned disciplines — dressage, show jumping, eventing, endurance, para equestrian, vaulting, reining, and all others. The 1,000 Gauss threshold and Non-Restricted classification apply universally. Individual National Federations may publish additional guidance, so it is always worth checking with your federation before an event.
I've heard a new rule is coming that would restrict PEMF further. Is that true?
A proposal is under discussion but has not yet been formally adopted. At the 2026 FEI Sports Forum, the FEI Veterinary Committee discussed potentially limiting PEMF use at FEI events to battery-operated devices only, with a maximum output of 100 Gauss. The stated rationale was human safety — specifically for grooms and stable staff in close proximity to machines during extended periods. This proposal has not yet been incorporated into the official FEI Veterinary Regulations. Importantly, both the MagnaWave Semi 10 and Spiro Pulse are already battery-operated, placing MagnaWave well ahead of any potential future requirements.
Where can I find the official, up-to-date FEI Veterinary Regulations?
The full FEI Veterinary Regulations — updated annually — are published at inside.fei.org/fei/about-fei/fei-library/rules. Both clean and marked-up versions are available for download. Your National Federation may also publish discipline-specific guidance and translations relevant to your country.
Ready to Compete with a Compliant Machine?
The MagnaWave Semi 10 and Spiro Pulse are built for competition. FEI compliant, battery-powered, and backed by 20 years of PEMF expertise.