Only foals born by licensed and performance tested stallions, out of Studbook or Pre Studbook registered mares, are entitled to be registered and birth branded.
Pink pedigree certificates (“Pink Papers”) are issued by the Society for foals by licensed, performance tested stallions, from Studbook mares. The front of the pedigree papers bears the NZHS brand mark.
There are strict protocols in place to ensure identification of any horse that will be registered in the NZHS studbook. These include a detailed and precise description of colour, markings and brand marks, and parent verification using DNA testing. This is one of the very important things to take note of – as the pink papers are internationally recognized so the paper trail must be very robust and traceable.
The pink paper is only issued once. It belongs to the horse but remains the property of the issuing Society. It must remain with the owner of the horse, be passed on to new owners at point of sale and be returned to NZHS to record change of ownership. Additional details, such as entry into the mare studbook, are added by the Studbook keeper from time to time as necessary. A duplicate copy of a birth certificate can only be issued on application, and then only by affidavit. The duplicate is to be clearly marked as such. A fee will be charged. Upon the death of the horse, the Pink Paper should be returned to the Studbook keeper of NZHS.
First Steps to Registration 1. Pedigree confirmed as acceptable for Hanoverian or Rheinland Studbook.
2. Service Certificate from the Stallion owner or semen provider
3. A vet’s bill or written confirmation is always a good back up to cover you – name of mare, stallion and date of last service
4. Foal return form – send to Studbook keeper on arrival of the foal (this can be emailed)
5. DNA hair sample sent to Massey to obtain a PVR (Parent Verification Report) for the foal – and mare if not already in our Database at Massey (check with Studbook Keeper first)
Registration Process
1. Probable foals identified from Stallion returns
2. Foal return forms sent to mare owners
3. In February branding letters are sent out with instructions, if Micro-chipping this information will be provided instead please advise Studbook Keeper if you would like to micro-chip the foal instead of branding
4. Fees invoice also sent at that point – payment of fees must be made before branding irons or micro-chipping information is sent.
5. Branding iron is dispatched to the designated vet clinic or Micro-chipping instructions
6. Return the paperwork – form filled in and the affidavit signed off by the vet
7. DNA report received from Massey
8. Registration PINK PAPERS are sent when all the above has been completed.
Registration
Each year, the Studbook keeper provides the owners of active breeding mares with a Mare Return form and a Foal Return form. The Mare Return form is completed by the mare owner and returned to the Studbook keeper to confirm the type of and date of insemination and the names of the stallion and mare.
Within 28 days of the birth of a foal, the owner must report the birth to the studbook keeper, using the Foal Return form. A description of the foal that includes sex, colour, markings and whether the foal was alive or stillborn, is included.
It is advisable to choose the name of the foal at this stage, so that the name will be included on the foal’s pedigree certificate. Delay in choosing a name for your foal may result in the inconvenience of having to get the name added at a later date.
Parent verification of the foal All foals, no matter how they are conceived, must undergo parent identification by DNA testing. DNA envelopes are available from the Studbook keeper.
Your veterinarian will take mane hair samples from the foal (and from the mare if this has not already been done), and at the same time fill out an identification form, which is sent with the sample(s), to the DNA laboratory. A copy is sent back to the Studbook keeper. The DNA results are sent to the Studbook keeper.
Registration of a name The name chosen for the foal MUST start with the same letter of the alphabet as that of its sire. The acceptance and registration of names is confirmed by the committee. Stud prefix and suffix maybe added to names upon original registration of the name.
Foal Branding and ULEN (registration) Number
Branding cannot take place unless all fees have been paid. Each foal, once it has been identified by a recorded description of its markings, sex and colour, and the parent identification by DNA has been confirmed, is allocated a registration number (ULEN) by the Studbook keeper prior to branding. The Studbook keeper will advise you of this number in writing, with a form to be completed by your veterinarian at the time of the branding / micro-chipping. This number is unique and not to be changed. ULEN numbers are a internationally recognized number these numbers can only be issued ONCE per horse worldwide and stays attached to the horse for life regardless of import or export.
The (trademark) H-NZ and R-NZ brands, is applied to the left thigh, and the birth year and allocated number applied to the left shoulder. This must be done while the foal is still on the dam and within 12 months of birth. In exceptional circumstances, if branding has not been possible while the foal is still at foot (e.g. in the case of maternal death), the foal may still be branded provided certain criteria are fulfilled. Such cases are considered on an individual basis.
The branding is done under the direction of a registered Veterinary Surgeon ONLY with pain relief given at the time of branding as per the welfare code of NZ. NZHS holds fire and freeze brands for H- NZ and R-NZ bred foals. As of 2019 branding is not compulsory but is highly recommend. If a registered owner does not want to brand a foal the only other option available is micro-chipping, the foal must still under go all DNA and physical inspection, micro-chipping MUST be undertook by a registered Veterinary surgeon as per NZ Welfare code.
The brand mark – emblem of the NZHS
The Branding Iron is held by the Inspection Commission/Studbook Keeper, under the President’s supervision. The branding Irons will be sent to the foal owners veterinarian of choice once DNA had been completed.
The NZ Hanoverian brand mark consists of stylized crossed horses’ heads, symbolising the H for Hanoverian and the letters NZ, to identify the country of birth.
The NZ Rheinland brand mark consists of stylized Elk horns, with the letters NZ to identify the country of birth.
Final Steps
Once branding or micro-chipping has been completed, branding / microchip forms are to be returned to studbook keeper the foals pink papers will then be completed and sent to the breeder. Your foal is then officially registered with NZHS.
Inquiries and questions welcome, contact us via:
· Email info@nzhanoverian.com
· Web www.nzhanoverian.com
· Facebook and Instagram @nzhanoverian
Fact Box No 3 – The Registration Process
