Instructions for Registering Horses

The ABA Registration Form is used to initially register a horse with ABA regardless of whether or not the horse is already registered in another registry; after registering with the ABA, subsequent changes in ownership are communicated with the ABA Transfer form.
It may take up to 90 days for the ABA to complete the processing of the application.

WHO CAN REGISTER A HORSE:
For horses born January 1, 2020 or after, the breeder (defined as the owner of the mare at the time of foaling) is the
only person who can register the horse. Horses born before January 1, 2020 can be registered by their current owner.

MEMBERSHIP: Current membership in the American Brabant Association is not required but is encouraged. Non-
members may register horses using a higher fee schedule.

HORSE’S NAME: The name of the horse is to be chosen by the breeder or owner.
• Use of an ABA reserved prefix as part of the horse’s name is required unless the horse has been previously
registered with another registry. In that case, use the horse’s name without an ABA prefix.
• Using the breeder’s prefix in the horse’s name is preferred. If the current owner who is registering the horse is
not the breeder, the current owner should request permission from the breeder to use the breeder’s prefix (see
Authorization to Use Reserved Prefix form). If permission is not granted, then the current owner will use their
own prefix.
• There is a maximum of 35 characters per horse name (including spaces and prefixes)
• The name of the horse cannot be changed once registration is complete. Although unlikely, if the horse’s name
is already in use you will be asked to choose another name.
• If the prefix name has not been already reserved by the ABA, submit an ABA Reserved Prefix Application Form.
DESCRIPTION: Provide written description of the horse which includes its general coloring and any identifying markings.
Color can be described with these terms:
BAY- Red bodies and black manes, tails, and points on their legs, faces, and ears
DARK BAY – Brown bodies and black manes, tails, and points on their legs, faces, and ears
BLACK-A true black horse has a pure black coat, with no brown hairs. The coat sometimes has a blue hue to it
SORREL -( sometimes referred to as chestnut) red coats that can range from light to dark (liver); can also have flaxen manes and tails,
which are lighter than the coat.
RED ROAN, BAY ROAN, BLUE ROAN,STRAWBERRY ROAN-Roan horses have white hairs or ticking throughout their coats. Roans are born
with their coat color and do not change (at least much) over time.
GRAY
Face markings can be described with these terms:
STAR – Any marking on the forehead.
STRIPE – A vertical marking found below the eye level and above the imaginary horizontal line connecting the top of the nostrils.
SNIP – Any mark found below the top of the nostrils.
SNIP LOWER LIP – Any marking found on lower lip.
STAR AND SNIP – A marking on the forehead with disconnected marking between or below the nostrils.
STAR AND STRIPE – A marking on the forehead with a stripe to the nasal peak. The stripe does not have to be an extension of the star.
STRIPE AND SNIP – A narrow marking extending vertically, beginning below the eyes and ending just below or between the nostrils.
STAR, STRIPE AND SNIP – A marking on the forehead with an extension to between or below the nostrils.
BLAZE – A large or wide connected white star, stripe and snip of uniform width.
BALD FACE – A very large blaze which can extend outside of the eyes in the forehead and center of face, covering the width of the bridge
of the nose and over the entire muzzle.

Leg markings can be described with these terms:
HEEL – A white marking found across the entire heel or simply on one side.
CORONET – A white marking from the foot to the first inch above the hoof, extending all the way around the foot to be inclusive of the
heel
PASTERN – A white marking that extends from the top of the hoof up to the bottom of the ankle or fetlock joint.
ANKLE – A white marking that extends from the top of the hoof to the top of the ankle joint.
HALF STOCKING – A white marking that extends to the midway point of the cannon bone.
STOCKING – Any white marking extending from the hoof covering the leg up to the bottom of the knee or hock or above the knee or hock.
Hooves can be described as WHITE, BLACK, or STRIPED
PHOTOGRAPHS: Submit color photographs clearly showing all markings on the horse.
• At least 4 photos must be submitted and must include 1) Frontal head, 2) Left side, 3) Right side, 4) Rear
• All parts of the horse must be seen on the photographs including tips of ears, nose, and all hooves.
• “Square” the horse’s legs for the photographs and position the horse on level ground.
• Submit additional photographs of all distinguishing markings.
• The horse should not be wearing saddles, bridles, or any harness parts.
• Because many horses change colors with the seasons, indicate what date the photographs were taken
• Mark the photographs with the horse’s name
ELIGIBILITY: Qualification and eligibility for American Brabant Association registration is predicated on the information
provided to the ABA Registry Office. The burden of proving eligibility lies with the applicant. Provide evidence of the
horse’s eligibility by submitting copies of as many of these documents as are available:

o If this application is being submitted for a horse that is already registered with another registry, include
a copy of the Horse’s Registration Certificate (show both front and back pages of the certificate)
o The Horse’s Import papers
o If the horse is not previously registered with a different registry, submit the handwritten Registry
Pedigree Chart form
o Sire’s and/or Dam’s Registration Certificates
o Photographs of the Sire and/or Dam (particularly useful for Tier 3, 4, and 5 horses)
o Breeder and/or Owner’s Affidavit Form
o Copy of a Cancelled Check / Bill of Sale
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOALS BY ARTIFICAL INSEMINATION: To qualify for registration with the ABA, all
foals conceived by artificial insemination and foaled after December 31,2019 must provide parentage
verification. Read the Mating Rules for Artificial Insemination section in the ABA Handbook for details.
INSTRUCTIONS: Complete all blanks on the application
• All application materials become the property of the American Brabant Association and will not be returned.
• The ABA registration certificate, once issued, will include a number representing the horse’s percent of
European Belgian bloodline.
• Registrations will not be processed without complete payment.
• Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Registration will be completed within 90 days of submission.
• A certificate of registration will be mailed to you or you will receive notification explaining next steps.