Why are horses tattooed?
Tattoos are an additional means of identification of a race horse. They are used along with the horse's markings, color, age and sex. The horse identifier at the racetrack verifies that each horse entered in a race matches this information as recorded on its official AQHA registration certificate.
Which horses are required to be tattooed?
Prior to race entry all American Quarter Horses must be tattooed by an AQHA representative.
Are there any requirements that must be met before I can have my horse tattooed?
Beginning with all 1992 foals, American Quarter Horses must be DNA genotyped and parentage verified before it can be tattooed.
I received a DNA genotype sticker to attach to my horses registration papers. Is that all I need to do before having it tattooed?
No, the DNA genotyping is only the first step. You must also have requested that AQHA parentage verify the horse. In this second step, the foal's genotype is compared at the lab with the genotypes of the sire and dam. Once it is determined that they are a match, the registration papers will be reissued with the words, "Parentage Verified" printed across the front on existing papers. AQHA new registration papers print the Parentage Verification center bottom on front of papers. You will need to return any certificate that has been issued prior to the verification to AQHA before the papers will be reissued.
What will it cost to tattoo my horse?
The fee for tattooing the American Quarter Horse is $65, of which $20 is reimbursed to the tattooer. (On January 1, 2010 this fee was increased) Checks or money orders should be made payable to AQHA. AQHA is not responsible for checks which are made payable to the tattooers.
What if a tattooer tells me I owe more than $65?
The tattooer is not authorized by AQHA to charge any additional charges other than the $65 tattoo fee.
Where are the tattoo numbers recorded?
The tattooer will record on the front of the registration papers the tattoo number, the date of tattooing and his name on the registration certificate. The tattoo information will be recorded on the back side of the new registration papers. Tattoo numbers are also recorded on AQHA's AS/400 computer system as a part of each horse's permanent record. Should a horse be lost or stolen, it can be identified and the last recorded owner notified from the cross-references on the AQHA computer.
How do I find or contact a tattooer?
Many of the tattooers provide the racetracks with a schedule of when and where they will be tattooing. A tentative schedule is also available on this Web site under the Calendars/Schedules heading. Some of the tattooers will make appointments to meet the customer at a farm or ranch, providing there are enough horses available to be tattooed. Travel time, distance and the expense of setting up and cleaning his equipment will determine if the tattooer will decide to meet the customer at a location other than the racetrack where he normally tattoos. Tattooers set thier own schedules and are not required to be available daily. You may also contact the AQHA Racing Department at (806)378-4713. Below is a current list of tattooers.
Can a horse that is not going to race be tattooed?
Yes. This can be arranged with the tattooer. It can be done in the same manner as the race horses if the horse is parentage verified. If the horse is not parentage verified, it may still be tattooed. However, the number used should be different from the numbers included in the AQHA issued tattoo report books. The tattooing may be done by the AQHA tattooer or by a veterinarian chosen by the customer. The number may be selected by the customer, tattooer or veterinarian. In these cases, the number can be recorded on the AQHA registration certificate as an additional marking such as when a brand is recorded. There will not be a cross reference in the AQHA computer for this type of tattoo.
Who can I contact if I have a complaint with a tattooer?
You may direct any complaints to the racing department at AQHA by calling (806)378-4713.
SCHEDULE OF AQHA TATTOOERS AND IDENTIFIERS
Following is the schedule of AQHA tattooers and identifiers. Because the schedule is subject to change, please call the tattooer/identifier at each racetrack to ensure the correct dates and times. Remember tattooers may tattoo according to their own schedules and are not required to be available 7 days a week.If you have any questions or concerns, call the AQHA Racing Department at (806) 378-4713.
REMINDER: All foals born in 1992 or later must be DNA genotyped and parentage verified prior to being tattooed.
ARIZONA
Fair Meets - By appointment Rillito Park - February - March; Wednesdays; 10 a.m. Yavapai Downs - June - September; Saturdays; 9:00 a.m. Turf Paradise - October - December Lee Peterson (602) 882-7593
CALIFORNIA
Fairplex and Northern Fair meets - By appointment Darrell Sparks (510) 886-7285
Los Alamitos and farms -By appointment Juan Garcia (626) 975-0028
COLORADO
Arapahoe Park - By appointment Wayne Epsteen (580) 320-9288
FLORIDA
Tampa Bay - By appointment Patrick Bovenzi (813) 240-0132 Available November thru April only
Hialeah Park / Area Farms Denver Beckner (301) 758-2552 Call for days available at track
IDAHO
Fair Meets/Pocatello - By appointment Dave Wheeler (208) 538-7170 or call Cory Wheeler (208) 313-7179
Gem County Fair/Les Bois Park/Rupert - By appointment Dave Wheeler (208) 538-7170
ILLINOIS
Arlington Park/Fairmount Park - By appointment Gene Allen (309) 447-6595
INDIANA
Hoosier Park/Indiana Downs - By appointment James Armstrong (636) 209-7894 or Area Farms Doug Crabtree (740) 245-0600 By appointment
IOWA
Prairie Meadows - By appointment Dennis Kochevar (402) 987-3490 / (712) 389-2920
KANSAS
Eureka Downs - Every other Monday April-June 1-4 pm Jerry Banks (918) 224-6506
The Woodlands - By appointment Contact AQHA Competition Department (806) 378-4713
KENTUCKY
The Red Mile - July Contact AQHA Competition Department (806) 378-4713
LOUISIANA
Fair Grounds (By appointment) - Delta Downs (Tuesdays, 1pm, Barn #5) - Evangeline Downs (Mondays; 10am, Barn area) Justin Carrier (337) 274-6201
Louisiana Downs - By appointment Jerry Engle (318) 949-8560
MICHIGAN
Mt. Pleasant Meadows - By appointment Contact the AQHA Competition Department (806)-378-4713
MINNESOTA
Canterbury Park/ Area Farms - By appointment Josh Van Oort (515) 418-0101
MONTANA
Montana Fairs/ Yellowstone Downs - By appointment Contact AQHA Competition Department (806) 378-4713
NEVADA
Elko County Fair - By appointment Jerry Richins (435) 232-4333
Area Farms - By appointment Jerry Richins - (435) 232-4333
NEW MEXICO
The Downs at Albuquerque / Sunray Park - By appointment Wayne Epsteen (580) 320-9288
Ruidoso Downs (Wed/Thur) / Sunland Park (Wed/Thur) / Zia Park (Wed/Thur) By Appointment Cenobio Sainz (915) 490-1335
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Horse Park - By appointment Contact AQHA Competition Department (806) 378-4713
Chippewa Downs - By appointment Contact AQHA Competition Department (806) 378-4713
OHIO
Beulah Park/River Downs - By appointment Doug Crabtree (740) 245-0600
OKLAHOMA
Blue Ribbon Downs (Schedule at track) / Farms (by appointment)/ Will Rogers Downs (schedule at track) Mike Cusimano (918) 774-8049 or Joel Cusimano (918) 774-5235
Fair Meadows (Wednesdays during meet 10:00-12:00 / Farms -By appointment / Remington Park (Wednesdays during meet 10:00-12:00)/ Ross Meadows -By appointment Jerry Banks (918) 224-6506
OREGON
Portland Meadows / Grants Pass Downs / Fair Meets - By appointment Ken Twiggs (612) 214-0682
SOUTH DAKOTA
County Fair Meets/Ft. Pierre - By appointment Skip Moody (605) 999-2303
TEXAS
Gillespie Co. Fair Contact AQHA (806) 378-4713
Lone Star Park - By appointment Rex Hardy (254) 722-8436
Manor Downs - By appointment Rex Hardy (254) 722-8436
Retama Park and Area Farms - By appointment Amber Doege (210) 363-7428
Sam Houston Race Park - By appointment Thad Briley (281) 807-8700
Farms - South - By appointment Debbie Wilkinson (361) 348-2716
Farms - North - By appointment Rex Hardy (254) 722-8436
Farms - East - By appointment Thad Briley (281) 807-8700
Farms - Odessa, Lubbock, Area Farms - By appointment Marty Wells (325) 656-5680
UTAH
Laurel Brown - By appointment Jerry Richins (435) 232-4333
Dixie Downs - By appointment Jerry Richins (435) 232-4333
WASHINGTON
Fair Meets / Sun Downs / Emerald Downs - By appointment Darnell Fowler (509) 440-0760
WYOMING
Wyoming Downs - By appointment Jim Stoker (307) 883-2666
CANADA
Alberta - Lethbridge, Grande Prairie - By appointment Howard Jesse (403) 795-1850
British Columbia - Kamloops - By appointment Butch McDonald (250) 377-0098
Manitoba - Rossburn Parkland Downs (July 10-11; 8am-12pm) Assiniboia Downs (tattoo day set by tattooer) Blair Anderson (306) 554-5510 (306) 554-7720
Ontario - Ajax Downs - By appointment Sean Slater (905) 953-5423
Saskatchewan - Queensbury Downs/Yorkton Exhibition/Marquis Downs - By appointment Blair Anderson (306) 554-5510 (306) 554-7720
MEXICO
Mexico City - By appointment Daniel Hernandez 011-5255-5397-8845
See more AQHA Partner benefits