Nosebands made optional and breaks for young horses in welfare-led rule changes

Therese Nilshagen with Dante Weltino of Sweden competes during the Equestrian Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle on Day 9 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Château de Versailles on August 4, 2024 in Versailles, France. (Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Nosebands will be optional at all levels of Swedish dressage from January, and rising trot will be allowed in some classes, as part of work to benefit horse welfare.

The Swedish equestrian federation is also...