The identification and registration of foals are governed primarily by § 22 of Act No. 154/2000 Coll., on the breeding, reproduction, and registration of farm animals (Breeding Act), Decree No. 136/2004 Coll., Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/963, and the Studbook Regulations for the Czech Sport Horse.
Every foal must be identified and registered so that an identification document – a horse passport – can be issued before it leaves the holding where it was born, but no later than 12 months from birth.
If this deadline is not met, a regular horse passport will not be issued. In the case of documented parentage, a duplicate horse passport will be issued; in the case of undocumented parentage, a substitute identification document will be issued. In both cases, the horse is without exception excluded from slaughter for human consumption.
How Foal Registration Works
After the birth of a foal, it is advisable to contact the person authorized to register foals for the Czech Sport Horse Studbook as soon as possible. Timely notification of birth will allow for the registration of the foal and the arrangement of an identification appointment.
During identification, the worker will:
check the identity of the mare,
create a verbal and graphic description,
apply a microchip,
collect a biological sample for DNA parentage verification,
record all necessary data for issuing the horse passport on the green covering certificate.
DNA Parentage Verification
DNA parentage verification is mandatory for foals born after insemination or embryo transfer in accordance with valid legislation.
However, the Studbook Regulations for the Czech Sport Horse also stipulate mandatory DNA parentage verification for foals born from natural breeding. Therefore, the collection of a biological sample is a standard part of the registration of all foals entered into the Czech Sport Horse Studbook.
After Identification
After identification is completed, the breeder checks and signs the necessary documents. Subsequently, the documents are submitted for processing and registration in the Central Horse Register.
Part of the process also includes DNA parentage verification. The biological sample collected during registration is sent by the authorized worker to an accredited laboratory, which performs the analysis and parentage verification. According to laboratory information, processing takes approximately 3 weeks, but in practice, it is advisable to allow 4–5 weeks, especially during the main registration season.
The horse passport can only be issued after all necessary documents have been submitted. Complete documents are considered to include, in particular:
confirmed DNA parentage verification,
a properly completed and confirmed covering certificate,
any missing data required by the Central Register,
for mares not registered in the Czech Sport Horse Studbook, also the payment of the fee for mare registration into the studbook.
Upon receipt of complete documents, the Central Horse Register issues the horse passport within the period stipulated by valid legislation. If the breeder needs the passport sooner, express issuance is available for an additional fee according to the current price list of the Central Horse Register.
After processing, the horse passport is sent to the horse owner cash on delivery.
What Not to Forget
Report the birth of the foal as soon as possible after foaling.
Prepare the mare and foal for identification.
Allow for safe handling during microchipping and biological sample collection.
Check the correctness of all data before signing documents.
Contact information for workers responsible for the registration and identification of Czech Sport Horse Studbook foals can be found in the Contacts section.
