You wouldn’t buy a car without checking that the seller was
the owner, and that the car is registered. The same consideration should occur
when purchasing horses.
When purchasing an AWHA registered horse, you should check
that the Seller (current Owner) is listed as the Owner of the horse on the
horse’s Registration paper or Passport. For AWHA registered horses, you can
find this information on the right-hand side of the front page of the AWHA
Registration paper (just above the Pedigree information – refer to sample).
The Seller (current Owner) must also sign the back of the AWHA
Registration paper, attesting that they’ve relinquished ownership of the horse,
as well as filling out the name of the new Owner on the AWHA Registration paper
and noting the date of transfer (refer to sample).
The new Owner will then need to send the signed original AWHA
Registration paper and proof of ownership (e.g., a signed receipt) to the AWHA
Federal Registrar for processing. A new AWHA Registration certificate will be
issued to the new Owner. AWHA Registration Certificates and Passports must always
accompany the horse through all transfers of ownership.
The same principle applies for AWHA Passports – the transfer
of ownership must be documented within the relevant sections, and then the
Passport is forwarded to the Federal AWHA Registrar for processing.
If you wish to breed from your horse or participate in Breed
Shows, it is important that you confirm the Registration status of the horse
you wish to buy – before purchasing it. Please check the Registration and
Classification status of the horse before breeding or purchase.
You can always contact your AWHA State
representatives, or the AWHA Federal Registrar if you have any queries.