By Oliver Williams

Zara Phillips is expected to compete for Team GB in Hong Kong

The British Equestrian Federation says its riders will take part in Olympic events in Hong Kong this summer despite fears over heat and humidity.

Switzerland withdrew its team from the dressage event on Wednesday, citing rider Silvia Ikle's concerns about the effect of the heat on her horse.

But the British team believes it will have adequate precautions in place.

"Protocols being developed will ensure the horses' welfare," BEF performance chief Will Connell told BBC Sport.

Hong Kong, which has a well-established horse racing circuit, was chosen to host the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events following an outbreak of equine diseases in mainland China.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which organises horse racing in the Chinese territory and has invested about �55.5m on building new venues for the events, does not hold races during the summer months, when temperatures reach 32C (90F) with severe humidity.

World number four Ikle withdrew from the dressage event

At last September's British equestrian team launch, Paralympic rider Lee Pearson admitted he had found the heat difficult to cope with when he took part in a test event in Hong Kong.

"It's like going into a sauna with your clothes on and then being asked to ride a horse that's sweating up like it has got a jumper on its back," he said.

However, Christopher Rigg, head of veterinary services at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said conditions would be similar to those at previous Olympic Games, and horses should be able to acclimatise within about 10 days.

"This is what we have advised, and this is what we saw happen in Atlanta and Athens," he said.

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Connell told BBC Sport that there were "no plans" to pull the British team out of any of Hong Kong's equestrian events.

"Much was learnt during the test event in 2007, which GB sent three horses to," said Connell.

"The protocols being developed will ensure the welfare of the horses through the preparation and management of the horses, during the build up to and during the time in Hong Kong."

Organisers of the Olympic events say the dressage and show jumping events will be held at night, and horses will be kept in air conditioned stables to combat the heat.

The precision required in dressage and the finely-tuned temperament of horses in the event make it more influenced by conditions than the showjumping and cross-country events.

The Equestrian Company, the body overseeing the Games' equestrian events, says it does not expect any other nations to withdraw their teams.