There are a variety of organizations you can register a horse with, like the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), and the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA). There are also breed-specific associations, which require a physical exam in order to register. [4] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified Horse Trainer Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.
Usually, you’ll save time and money by submitting the application online. Some associations still allow or prefer paper mail. Their website will contain this information. You may have to make an online account to navigate an association’s application portal.
One common type of required photo is a silhouette, which may need to be verified by your vet. Wash the horse before taking photos to use in your application. Make sure the horse is dry, and that their coat is clearly visible in each photo.
For instance, the Arabian Horse Association will provide you with a DNA kit and instructions once you’ve submit your application and application fee.
If you’re registering a foal and do not own the foal’s dam, you will likely have to fill out additional paperwork to verify this information. You’ll also have to include additional information if you hope to register as the foal’s breeder.
There may also be a fee for you to register as a member of an association too. Fees will range from $25 dollars to more than $100.
Contact a USEF customer service representative for help signing up for a membership. Use this account to register for specific events, programs, and more.
In short, if you hope to show or compete with your horse, or want to breed or sell your horse, register the horse in the appropriate registries. Forego registration if you don’t harbor any of these intentions.
Whenever unsure about the necessity of registering your horse, ask a local horse trainer or veterinarian about whether you should do so.
You may want to find out about name requirement before submitting an application. Some breed associations will even require you to submit multiple potential names. This ensures one of the names is unique. The application may direct you to list names in order of your preference.
