Tattoos and Tattooers
Why are horses tattooed?
Tattoos are an additional means of identification of a race horse. They are used along with the horse's markings, color, age and sex. The horse identifier at the racetrack verifies that each horse entered in a race matches this information as recorded on its official AQHA registration certificate.
Which horses are required to be tattooed?
Prior to race entry all American Quarter Horses must be tattooed by an AQHA representative.
Are there any requirements that must be met before I can have my horse tattooed?
Beginning with all 1992 foals, American Quarter Horses must be DNA genotyped and parentage verified before it can be tattooed.
I received a DNA genotype sticker to attach to my horses registration papers. Is that all I need to do before having it tattooed?
No, the DNA genotyping is only the first step. You must also have requested that AQHA parentage verify the horse. In this second step, the foal's genotype is compared at the lab with the genotypes of the sire and dam. Once it is determined that they are a match, the registration papers will be reissued with the words, "Parentage Verified" printed across the front on existing papers. AQHA new registration papers print the Parentage Verification center bottom on front of papers. You will need to return any certificate that has been issued prior to the verification to AQHA before the papers will be reissued.
What will it cost to tattoo my horse?
The fee for tattooing the American Quarter Horse is $100, of which $25 is reimbursed to the tattooer. (On January 1, 2015 this fee was increased) Checks or money orders should be made payable to AQHA. AQHA is not responsible for checks which are made payable to the tattooers.
What if a tattooer tells me I owe more than $100?
The tattooer is not authorized by AQHA to charge any additional charges other than the $100 tattoo fee.
Where are the tattoo numbers recorded?
The tattooer will record on the front of the registration papers the tattoo number, the date of tattooing and his name on the registration certificate. The tattoo information will be recorded on the back side of the new registration papers. Tattoo numbers are also recorded on AQHA's AS/400 computer system as a part of each horse's permanent record. Should a horse be lost or stolen, it can be identified and the last recorded owner notified from the cross-references on the AQHA computer.
How do I find or contact a tattooer?
Many of the tattooers provide the racetracks with a schedule of when and where they will be tattooing. A tentative schedule is also available on this Web site under the Calendars/Schedules heading. Some of the tattooers will make appointments to meet the customer at a farm or ranch, providing there are enough horses available to be tattooed. Travel time, distance and the expense of setting up and cleaning his equipment will determine if the tattooer will decide to meet the customer at a location other than the racetrack where he normally tattoos. Tattooers set thier own schedules and are not required to be available daily. You may also contact the AQHA Racing Department at (806)378-4713. Below is a current list of tattooers.
Can a horse that is not going to race be tattooed?
Yes. This can be arranged with the tattooer. It can be done in the same manner as the race horses if the horse is parentage verified. If the horse is not parentage verified, it may still be tattooed. However, the number used should be different from the numbers included in the AQHA issued tattoo report books. The tattooing may be done by the AQHA tattooer or by a veterinarian chosen by the customer. The number may be selected by the customer, tattooer or veterinarian. In these cases, the number can be recorded on the AQHA registration certificate as an additional marking such as when a brand is recorded. There will not be a cross reference in the AQHA computer for this type of tattoo.
Who can I contact if I have a complaint with a tattooer?
You may direct any complaints to the competition department at AQHA by calling (806)378-4713.
SCHEDULE OF AQHA TATTOOERS AND IDENTIFIERS
Following is the schedule of AQHA tattooers and identifiers. Because the schedule is subject to change, please call the tattooer/identifier at each racetrack to ensure the correct dates and times. Remember tattooers may tattoo according to their own schedules and are not required to be available 7 days a week.If you have any questions or concerns, call the AQHA Competition Department at (806) 378-4713.
REMINDER: All foals born in 1992 or later must be DNA genotyped and parentage verified prior to being tattooed.
ARIZONA
Rillito Park / Yavapai Downs / Turf Paradise - By appointment
Area Farms - By appointment
Lee Peterson
(602) 882-7593
CALIFORNIA
Fairplex and Northern Fair meets - By appointment
Darrell Sparks
(510) 886-7285
Los Alamitos and farms -By appointment
Eric Najduch
(714) 833-3532
COLORADO
Arapahoe Park - By appointment
Trevor Rushton
(719) 691-4543
FLORIDA
Tampa Bay - By appointment
Patrick Bovenzi
(813) 240-0132
Available November thru April only
Hialeah Park / Area Farms
David Reinshuttle
(954) 290-2545
Available during Quarter Horse meet
IDAHO
Fair Meets/Pocatello - By appointment
Gem County Fair/Les Bois Park/Rupert - By appointment
Dave Wheeler
(208) 538-7170
ILLINOIS
Arlington Park/Fairmount Park - By appointment
Contact AQHA at 806-378-4713
INDIANA
Hoosier Park/Indiana Downs/Area Farms - By appointment
Doug Crabtree
(740) 208-3372
IOWA
Prairie Meadows - By appointment
Travis Skarpness
(515) 490-3580
KANSAS
Eureka Downs , The Woodlands - By appointment
Jerry Banks
(918) 224-6506
LOUISIANA
Fair Grounds /Delta Downs / Evangeline Downs - By appointment
Justin Carrier
(337) 274-6201
Louisiana Downs - By appointment
Jerry Engle
(318) 949-8560
MICHIGAN
Hazel Park / Area Farms - By appointment
David Bryan
419-670-3691
MINNESOTA
Canterbury Park/ Area Farms - By appointment
Victor Hanson
(605-222-9698
MONTANA
Montana Fairs/ Yellowstone Downs - By appointment
Contact AQHA at (806) 378-4713
NEVADA
Elko County Fair, White Pine Raceway - By appointment
Area Farms - By appointment
Jerry Richins -
(435) 232-4333
NEW MEXICO
The Downs at Albuquerque / Sunray Park - By appointment
Wayne Epsteen
(580) 320-9288
Ruidoso Downs / Sunland Park / Zia Park - By appointment
Cenobio Sainz
(915) 490-1335
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Horse Park / Chippewa Downs - By appointment
Contact AQHA at (806) 378-4713
OHIO
Beulah Park/River Downs - By appointment
Doug Crabtree
(740) 208-3372
OKLAHOMA
Blue Ribbon Downs / Will Rogers Downs - By appointment
By appointment
Oklahoma Farms - Joel Cusimano (405) 714-6505
Area Farms - Josh VanOort - (515) 418-0101
Fair Meadows / Remington Park / Ross Meadows - By appointment
Jerry Banks
(918) 224-6506
OREGON
Portland Meadows / Grants Pass Downs / Fair Meets - By appointment
Ken Twiggs
(503) 839-7813
SOUTH DAKOTA
County Fair Meets/Ft. Pierre - By appointment
Skip Moody
(605) 999-2303
TEXAS
Gillespie Co. Fair
Contact AQHA - (806) 378-4713
Lone Star Park / Manor Downs / Sam Houston Race Park - By appointment
Rex Hardy
(254) 722-8436
Retama Park and Area Farms - By appointment
Amber Doege
(210) 363-7428
Farms - South - By appointment
Debbie Wilkinson
(361) 348-2716
or
Glen Wilkinson
(361) 348-2660
Odessa, Lubbock, Area Farms - By appointment
Marty Wells
(325) 656-5680
UTAH
Laurel Brown/Dixie Downs/Weber Downs /Area Farms - By appointment
Jerry Richins
(435) 232-4333
WASHINGTON
Fair Meets / Sun Downs / Emerald Downs - By appointment
Vern Baze
(253) 670-6214
WYOMING
Wyoming Downs - By appointment
Jim Stoker
(307) 887-2688
CANADA
Alberta - Lethbridge, Grande Prairie - By appointment
Howard Jesse
(403) 795-1850
British Columbia - Kamloops - By appointment
Butch McDonald
(250) 377-0098
Manitoba / Saskatchewan -
Rossburn Parkland Downs / Assiniboia Downs / Queensbury Downs / Yorkton Exhibition/
Marquis Downs - By appointment
Blair Anderson
(306) 554-5510
(306) 554-7720
Ontario - Ajax Downs - By appointment
Sean Slater
(905) 953-5423
MEXICO
HIpodromo De Los Americas - By appointment
Daniel Hernandez
011-5255-5397-8845