Getting the Paperwork Right

By: Tiffanee Conrad-Acuña, Richmond County Livestock Agent

Registries were invented to insure that a horses' lines are recorded and to allow them to be identified and perpetuated. Registering your horse can be easy; there are just a few things you need to know before you start. According to the American Quarter Horse Association AQHA, each year 75% of the horse registration applications submitted glide through the process without any hitches. That leaves 25% that stall out. Of those, about 20% are delayed due to simple problems such as missing information. I was figuring up how many paperwork problems I have had registering my horses over the years, and realized that I fall into the 57% stall out figure. The biggest problem I have run into is previous owners not transferring the horse into their name.

When transfer issues arise, you have to track down the owners and pay the transfer fee for them. Because of my experience, I recommend to people who are thinking of buying a registered horse that they ask to see the paperwork. If the current owner on the registration form is not the person you are negotiating with, you may want to run for the hills. It once took me 2 years to get a horse into my name because the breeder had passed away and I had to track down his next of kin. I felt like a police detective and it took a lot of money and time. If everything looks to be in order, the day you pick up the horse before any money is exchanged, you need to have a transfer report with ALL the information filled out. If the owner leaves off their id number or signature, it can be a big problem. There could be many reasons why paperwork is not in order, such as a horse being stolen, fees were not paid, procrastination, paperwork not double checked, etc.

The AQHA website has a guide to registering a quarter horse, they offer some hints to make sure your horse’s registration gets through the first time, whether you choose to complete your application online or by mail. You can get detailed information on what you need before you begin your paperwork. They even include a checklist with dates, photos and other important information you’ll need to speed the registration process along. You can find this information at: http://www.aqha.com/en.aspx

It’s a good idea to register your horse right away, because as time goes by paperwork can get lost and memories fade. It’s also cheaper to register foals when they are younger. If you own a stallion, it is cheaper to get your stallion breeding report in on time by November 30th every year. Late fees can be quite hefty if you have several animals.

If you own another breed such as a Paint, Appaloosa, Arabian, or Thoroughbred, you need to check with that breed association to figure out how to do their paperwork and understand their rules. For example, if you want to register your foal as a quarter horse, but your mare was a thoroughbred, you have to make sure to get the mare a T number with the Jockey Club before she is put on a quarter horse stallion breeding report. You can call the AQHA at 1-806-376-4811 to get help with your questions. They are very knowledgeable in providing solutions to help you register your horse. You may also need to purchase special kits such as a parentage verification kit or an HYPP kit if for example your horse is of Impressive bloodlines or you want to race them. To register a foal, you will need:

• Date foaled
• Breeding method
• Embryo transfer date & number
• Dam's name and/or registration number
• Current breeding reports
• Foal description including 5 photos
• Six foal name choices
• Other foal information
• Tax ID or social security number
• For transfers: date of sale, buyer's name, AQHA ID number, address, phone number, and e-mail address