While the debate over the Abodi decree remains ongoing and the search for a balance between safety and tradition continues, the Sartiglia enters the fray with one of the most delicate stages of its preparation. The organizational machinery continues unabated and, indeed, accelerates its checks.

This morning , medical checks began for the horses participating in the joust: 114 animals underwent the pre-selection tests scheduled in the days leading up to the event. No Cort'e Baccas this time: bad weather forced the checks to be moved to the stables of Daniele Mattu, Componidori of the Farmers' Guild, which was transformed for one morning into a full-fledged medical center.

The horses were inspected one by one by the veterinary commission established by the Sartiglia Institution, led by President Elisabetta Sechi. The protocol is rigorous and leaves no room for discretion: microchip and document checks, clinical observation, and finally a cardiac examination.

These tests are essential for assessing the animals' physical and mental well-being, ensuring their health, and preventing the risk of zoonosis, i.e., the transmission of diseases from one horse to another or to humans. The guidelines are clear and allow no exceptions: those who fail to meet this preliminary criteria will be replaced.
The final round of checks is scheduled for Friday, while attention is already turned to the next event on the route leading up to the carousel: the evocative ritual of handing over the blessed candles, scheduled for Monday.