
To register a paint horse with the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association), the horse must have at least one parent that is dual-registered with APHA (American Paint Horse Association). Additionally, the horse must have 2 of solid white hair with some underlying unpigmented skin in the qualifying area, which includes above the center of the knees/hocks and the face. If these requirements are met, registration can be completed by submitting the necessary paperwork, photos, and payment. It's important to note that parentage verification and DNA testing are required for registration as of 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Registration Number | For a Quarter Horse, put a Q or QX (appendix) before the AQHA registration number. For a Thoroughbred, put a J before the Jockey Club registration number. |
| Parentage Verification | Required as of January 1, 2022. |
| Genetic Testing | Required for breeding stallions. Tests include HYPP, HERDA, GBED, MH, PSSM1, and OLWS. |
| Eligibility for APHA Registration | The horse's sire and dam must be known and registered with APHA, AQHA, or the Jockey Club. |
| Dual Registration | Possible if one parent is dual-registered with APHA and the horse meets white markings requirements. |
| Age of Horse | A horse can be registered with APHA at any age as long as registration requirements are met. |
| Registration Process | Online registration is the fastest and most cost-effective way. If unable to register online, submit the registration application, photos, and payment via postal mail. |
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What You'll Learn

Parentage verification
To register a Paint Horse with the AQHA, parentage verification is required. This process involves DNA testing to confirm the unique genetic markers of the horse and compare them to those of the recorded sire and dam. This ensures that the registered parents are, in fact, the biological parents of the horse.
The AQHA has implemented DNA testing and parentage verification requirements to protect the owners and breeders of American Quarter Horses and to maintain the integrity of the breed. This process also aids in the prevention of certain genetic diseases by allowing owners to make informed breeding decisions. By understanding the genetic makeup of their horses, owners can avoid breeding carriers of recessive genetic conditions together and prevent the passing of these conditions to future generations.
The cost of genetic testing for members is $55, while non-members pay $120. Testing only needs to be performed once in a horse's lifetime, and the results are valid for registration with the AQHA. Horses that are eligible for registration will automatically be parentage verified by the AQHA, and a certificate will be issued upon request.
To register a Paint Horse foal with the AQHA, the foal owner typically completes the registration process. This can be the owner of the dam at the time of foaling or an individual who has purchased the foal. Online registration is the fastest and most cost-effective method, especially if one of the parents is already registered with the AQHA and all breeding report requirements are met. Alternatively, registration can be completed by submitting the application, photos, and payment via postal mail.
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DNA testing
To initiate the DNA testing process, specific requirements must be met. Firstly, the horse's sire (father) and dam (mother) must both be DNA typed. This is a fundamental prerequisite for parentage verification, which is crucial for AQHA registration. Additionally, the horse's parents must be registered with either APHA (American Paint Horse Association), AQHA, or the Jockey Club. If the parents are unknown or registered with different breeds, the horse becomes ineligible for APHA registration.
The DNA testing process for AQHA registration can be outlined in the following steps:
- Ordering a DNA Testing Kit: To begin, you can order a genetic testing kit from AQHA by downloading an order form or contacting the AQHA Member Experience Team. The fees for genetic testing vary depending on membership status.
- Submitting Hair Samples: Once you have the kit, you will need to pull a hair sample from the horse's mane or tail. Ensure you follow the instructions provided with the kit for collecting and submitting the hair sample.
- Laboratory Analysis: The submitted hair sample will be analyzed in a laboratory to derive the horse's genetic markers and create a unique DNA profile. This profile is then compared to the profiles of the sire and dam to confirm parentage.
- Parentage Verification: AQHA will automatically verify the parentage of eligible horses based on the laboratory results. This verification confirms the horse's genetic relationship with its sire and dam.
- Health Panel Testing: In addition to DNA typing, breeding stallions are required to undergo Genetic Health Panel testing. This testing checks for specific genetic diseases, including HYPP, HERDA, GBED, MH, PSSM1, and OLWS. The results help breeders make informed decisions and reduce inherent risks associated with breeding.
- Color/Pattern Panel Testing: Horses with parents registered only with AQHA or the Jockey Club must undergo Color/Pattern Panel testing as part of the registration process. This testing identifies the colors, patterns, and health conditions associated with the horse, which can also help advance the horse to the Regular Registry.
- Registration Decision: After completing the DNA testing and meeting all other registration requirements, AQHA will make a registration decision. If the horse meets the guidelines, it will be registered. Otherwise, AQHA will refund all but the office processing fee.
It is important to note that DNA testing is a one-time process in a horse's lifetime, and the results are stored for future reference and verification. The process helps ensure the accuracy of pedigrees and provides valuable information for breeders, enabling them to make informed decisions and maintain the integrity of the breed.
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Registration number
To register a paint horse with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), the horse's sire and dam must be known and registered with either APHA, AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association), or the Jockey Club. If the parent(s) are unknown or registered with a different breed, the horse will not be eligible for APHA registration.
If your horse is already registered with AQHA or the Jockey Club, you can include a copy of those papers (front and back) with the APHA registration application. These papers can serve as a substitute for the signatures required from the sire and dam owners on the APHA registration application. Additionally, they provide APHA with the necessary details for breeding enrollments, breeding reports, and DNA testing.
It is important to use the correct registration number when submitting the APHA registration application. If a stallion or mare is registered with multiple associations, use the horse's APHA registration number on all APHA-related work. For a Quarter Horse, prefix a 'Q' or 'QX' (for appendix) before the AQHA registration number (omit any zeroes after the 'X'). For a Thoroughbred, use a 'J' before the Jockey Club registration number.
Upon registration with APHA, your horse will be officially recognised as part of the association. APHA registration verifies and preserves the horse's pedigree and assigns a unique APHA registration number. The foal owner is typically responsible for registering the foal, which can be done online at PHcentral.com if the foal has at least one APHA-registered parent and all breeding report requirements are already on file. Alternatively, you can submit the registration application, photos, and payment via postal mail to APHA.
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Breeding leases
To register a Paint Horse with the AQHA, the foal owner typically registers the foal—this could be the owner of the dam at the time of foaling, or someone who has purchased the foal. The fastest and most cost-effective way to register is online, at PHcentral.com, when the foal has at least one APHA-registered parent and all breeding report requirements are already on file.
Now, here is some information on breeding leases:
A breeding lease is a type of agreement that allows a lessee to use a mare for breeding purposes in exchange for payment or lease costs. It is designed to protect both the owner and the lessee, with a maximum duration of three years. If the lease needs to be extended beyond three years, a new one must be filed. During the lease term, the lessee or their authorised agent can sign a breeder's certificate, stallion breeding report, or registration application for the leased horse.
The lessee is responsible for expenses associated with the care of the horse, including boarding, feeding, routine farrier services, and routine veterinary services. Additionally, any points earned during the lease period will not count toward qualifying for any world show or year-end awards. It is important to file the show lease promptly when the lease begins to avoid delays in processing backdated forms.
There are specific rules regarding the showing of leased horses. For a show lease, neither the lessee nor their authorised agent may sign a breeder's certificate, stallion breeding report, or registration application for the horse. During the term of a show lease, only the lessee, their immediate family, or their trainer (in open events) may show the horse.
It is worth noting that ownership of the horse is not always required to participate in certain classes, such as Rookie level classes, where multiple exhibitors, including the record owner, may show the same horse.
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Registration photos
To register your Paint Horse with the APHA (American Paint Horse Association), you must submit registration photos. These photos help verify your horse's markings and may help you avoid the need for a physical inspection. They also assist with identification at APHA shows, races, and other competitions and can be useful if your horse is ever stolen or missing.
You'll need to submit five photos of your foal: right profile, left profile, front, rear, and one from a three-quarter view from the front. If your foal has complex markings, you should submit additional photos detailing these markings. This will help the APHA registration department describe your horse's markings accurately on its papers.
Photos must be clear and of good quality, with a minimum file size of 2 MB when submitted with an online application. Ensure that the horse is standing on flat, uncluttered ground, and that there is enough space between the horse and any other objects or horses in the photo. The branded side of the horse should face the camera, and all four legs should be visible, all the way down to the ground. Don't cut off the ears or hooves.
You can download the AQHA's "Picture This" brochure for more detailed instructions on how to take the correct photos for your registration application.
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Frequently asked questions
If your horse has one parent that is registered with the APHA, it is eligible for registration with the AQHA. You will need to submit a copy of the horse's registration certificate from the APHA, along with the standard registration application and photos.
If your horse has one parent registered with the AQHA and the other with the Jockey Club, it may still be eligible for registration with the APHA based on its white markings. The horse must have 2" of solid white hair with some underlying unpigmented skin in the specified areas.
To register a foal with the AQHA, you must provide proof of ownership of the dam at the time of foaling or submit a purchase agreement if you do not own the dam. The foal's sire and dam must also be known and registered with either the APHA, AQHA, or the Jockey Club.









































