Registry Services
DNA Testing - Procedures

The DNA Testing Procedure will differ slightly depending on the horse that is being tested.

If the horse to be tested is a brood mare registered prior to 1 August 1994, the mare may have a blood type on file with AQHA, which must be converted to DNA. The cost is $25; please check with the Registry Staff to see if your mare has a blood type on file.

If the horse to be tested does not have a blood type on file, a DNA test must be performed. The DNA kit costs $110. Please contact the office for the testing kit.

From 1 August 2005, the registration fee includes a DNA kit as part of the Application for Registration. All horses applying for registration must be parentage verified.


Step 1: Order a DNA Kit from AQHA. This can be done by phone (02) 6762 6444, fax or email
             giving authority to debit your credit card or by mail with payment by cheque or money
             order or authority to debit your credit card. The DNA kit costs $110.

Step 2: A DNA Sampling Kit should contain the following:

            1. Purple DNA hair sample card (uniquely numbered)
            2. Plastic snap-lock bag
            3. Reply paid envelope
            4. 2 labels with your horse’s details, and
            5. a DNA Identification Certificate/Information Sheet.

            Please check that you have received all parts of the kit.

Step 3: A DNA Identification Certificate must be completed by the person taking the hair
             sample and the person witnessing the taking of a hair sample at the time of
             collection. One of the labels provided in the DNA Sampling Kit should be attached at
             the top of the DNA Identification Certificate where marked.

Step 4: Detailed instructions for the collection of hair samples are printed on the reverse side
             of the purple sample card. These instructions should be followed exactly to ensure
             the quality of the sample. Please disregard the reference to veterinarians as AQHA no
             longer requires a vet to take samples.

             You and a witness can collect the sample.

Step 5: Each sample card issued is uniquely identified with a number in the top right hand
             corner and can only be used for the horse whose name it was issued in. This
             number is also printed on the labels supplied with the kit.

             If more than one horse is being sampled it is MOST IMPORTANT that only one kit
             is used at a time to ensure correct labelling of samples. If a sample is incorrectly
             labelled it will not parent validate and the test will have to be redone at the
             owners cost.

Step 6: Once the sample has been taken and sealed it should be placed into the reply paid
             envelope provided and post immediately.

Step 7: The DNA Identification Certificate along with the horse’s Original Certificate of
             Registration (if DNA typing a registered horse) must be forwarded to AQHA not to the University.

Step 8: If the DNA typing is for a stallion as part of the IBF process, an Examination for Initial
             Breeding Fee Certificate must also be completed by your vet and returned to AQHA
             along with the Original Certificate of Registration and the appropriate fee (including
             GST) which is as follows:

             $550.00 – Initial Breeding Fee lodged prior to breeding.
             PLUS
             $2200.00 – Initial Breeding Fee lodged after breeding.

Step 9: The University will formally notify AQHA of the results who will then notify
             the owner and at this stage application/s for registration will be processed if all
             details have been supplied.

PLEASE NOTE: Registrations and/or breeding approval cannot be completed until
the DNA Identification Certificate and where applicable, the IBF Examination
Certificate is returned.