The Dutch House of Representatives has accepted a proposal to ban all animal-unfriendly aids and training equipment in equestrian sports, although the specific items to be banned are not clearly defined. The motion was approved in a vote on January 28th, but its implementation remains uncertain as the government must consult with stakeholders before drafting regulations.

The motion has faced pushback from the Sector Council for Horses, which argues that animal rights organizations are misrepresenting the potential impact of the ban. The equestrian sector is open to improvements but warns against regulations based on emotion and misinformation. A previous attempt to ban certain training aids in 2021 was not enforced due to a study that found no specific aid to be inherently inhumane.

The ban on animal-unfriendly aids in equestrian sports reflects a broader shift in mainland Europe, with countries like Denmark considering bans on certain equipment. The Dutch equestrian federation is expanding bitless options, while Hungary has introduced a competition category for bit-free riders. The outcome of the ban in the Netherlands remains uncertain, as previous attempts have faced challenges in implementation.