On this page you will find answers to some of the more common questions that arise. However If you are unsure about any aspect of the registration process etc, please Contact Us. See also in this section:
Fees & Forms & The IPSA Studbook Rules & Regulations
The Irish Piebald & Skewbald Association Ltd t/a The IPSA is a studbook for Piebald & Skewbald (coloured) horses and their progeny and also a register for solid colour animals with no pedigree recorded that do not meet the criteria for inclusion in The IPSA studbook.
Horses come in all shapes, sizes and types, with one major distinction - Colour.
Here in Ireland we use the terms "Piebald" or "Skewbald" to describe certain horse colouration. In other countries you will see references to "Coloured" or "Paint" horses which in many cases these descriptions really have the same meaning.
Piebald / Skewbald - Colour Definition
A Skewbald and Piebald is defined by its external visible coat colouration and markings and not by its genetic makeup or type. They are therefore distinctive and unique from other “coloured”, splash marked, or extended leg marked breeds or types.
Piebald:
Large irregular patches of black and white (usually black on a white base).
Skewbald:
Any other colour or colours and white i.e. bay, brown, chestnut, grey, dun or palomino and white. There may be some black marks in addition.
Note:
From 1st July 2009, the identification system for equidae was amended. Under EU Legislation, all equidae will have to be microchipped and have their identification document (passport) within six months of their birth. The microchip number of each animal must be recorded on its passport.
The new identification system will build on a single identification document – one passport – issued for life when the animal is born or imported. The document will be linked to the animal by their microchip, and the fact that it was issued will be recorded in a database under a Unique Equine Life Number (UELN) for the animal that will remain the constant reference even when the animal’s name is changed.
Under the EU Legislation, animals not registered within 6 months of their birth will be permanently excluded from the food chain and The IPSA is obliged to stamp their passport ‘Not Fit for Human Consumption’. Similarly, where foals are sent to slaughter, they must have been registered for a period of at least 6 months before they are allowed to enter the food chain. Where an animal is issued a duplicate passport they will be permanently excluded from the food chain and the duplicate passport stamped to reflect this.
Passports issued by The IPSA at all times remain the property of The IPSA. Upon death or slaughter of any animal, the passport must be returned to The IPSA.
IPSA passports are fully EU approved and therefore suitable for all requirements – i.e. SJAI registration, marts, international transport etc.
For IPSA registration purposes:
For adult horse registration fees (IPSA studbook passports) the following applies:
To register a foal in the IPSA Studbook either sire or dam of the foal must be in the IPSA studbook
On receipt of a correctly complete covering certificate (the white copy you received from your stallion owner), The IPSA will automatically issue a foal kit to the owner.
STEP 1: CALL YOUR VET
Upon receipt of your foal kit you will need to call out your vet. Contained within the foal kit will be:
1. Marking chart for the foal - this must be completed in full by the vet (stamped, signed, dated etc), who will also microchip your foal and attach the microchip bar code to the marking chart.
2. DNA hair sample bag - in order to DNA type your foal, the vet will remove a hair sample from the foal and place it in the sample bag. The sample bag must then be sent to The IPSA for DNA testing.
3. Application Form - Complete the application form in full with all your details, choice of three names, signed and dated etc.
STEP 2: SEND YOUR FOAL MARKING CHART & APPLICATION FORM TO THE IPSA WITH THE CORRECT FEE
Once your vet has completed the marking chart for your foal and attached the microchip barcode, you will need to return the marking chart and completed application form to The IPSA with the appropriate fee (detailed below).
STEP 3: YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR IPSA STUDBOOK PASSPORT
Once The IPSA has received your foal’s marking chart, application form, correct passport fee plus the DNA result from Weatherbys, the foal’s passport will be posted** back to you .
**We advise all registrants to specify recorded delivery for the return of completed passports (or other important documents) as risk of loss passes to the owner on an item being placed with the postal service
Before registering a horse in IPSA Studbook, either the sire or dam of the animal must be registered in the IPSA Stud Book or the animal must be eligible to be included in the Studbook.
Either the sire or dam must have been DNA tested to confirm parentage of your horse. The IPSA must also have received a covering certificate from the stallion owner.
STEP 1: CONTACT The IPSA
You will need to contact The IPSA (+353 (0)91 577577) to order a kit in order to register and parentage test your horse.
STEP 2: CALL YOUR VET
Upon receipt of your adult kit you will need to call out your vet. Contained within the adult kit will be:
1. Marking chart for the horse - this must be completed by the vet, who will also microchip your horse and attach the microchip bar code to the marking chart.
2. DNA hair sample bag - in order to DNA type your horse, the vet will remove a hair sample from the horse and place it in the sample bag. The sample bag must then be sent to The IPSA for forwarding to Weatherbys for DNA testing.
STEP 3: SEND YOUR ADULT MARKING CHART TO THE IPSA WITH FEE
Once your vet has completed the marking chart for your horse and attached the microchip barcode, you will need to return the marking chart and completed application form to The IPSA with the appropriate fee (detailed below).
STEP 4: YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR IPSA STUDBOOK PASSPORT
Once The IPSA has received your adult’s marking chart, correct passport fee plus the DNA result from Weatherbys, the horse’s passport will be posted** back to you
**We advise all registrants to specify recorded delivery for the return of completed passports (or other important documents) as risk of loss passes to the owner on an item being placed with the postal service
If your horse has no pedigree (supplementary section) or is not eligible for inclusion in The IPSA studbook (ID register), you can obtain an identification document/non-pedigree passport.
STEP 1: CALL YOUR VET
Your vet will complete the marking chart for your foal/horse, microchip the animal and attach the microchip bar code to the marking chart.
STEP 2: SEND YOUR MARKING CHART TO THE IPSA WITH FEE
Return the completed marking chart, application form and appropriate fee (detailed below) to The IPSA.
STEP 3: YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR PASSPORT
Once The IPSA has received the marking chart, completed application form and the correct passport fee, the horse’s passport will be posted** back to you
**We advise all registrants to specify recorded delivery for the return of completed passports (or other important documents) as risk of loss passes to the owner on an item being placed with the postal service
To register and licence your coloured stallion, please first contact The IPSA who will explain the process to you with regard to your individual circumstances.
To change the registered owner information on a horse’s passport, please complete the ‘Change of Ownership’ form and return it to The IPSA with the fee of €20. Please note that passports issued by The IPSA at all times remain the property of The IPSA. The owner recorded on a horse’s passport is registered as such for correspondence purposes relating to that animal and does not reflect any legal standing in relation to ownership.
If your passport has been lost, stolen or destroyed you may apply to The IPSA for a duplicate passport. Where an animal is issued a duplicate passport they will be permanently excluded from the food chain and the duplicate passport stamped to reflect this.
IF YOUR HORSE HAS A MICROCHIP:
1. Complete the ‘Duplicate Passport With Microchip’ form
2. Call your vet. The vet must scan your horse to verify the microchip number of your horse. They must record this number on the above form. They must also sign and stamp the form.
3. Return the form to The IPSA with the appropriate fee (detailed below)
IF YOUR HORSE HAS NO MICROCHIP:
1. Complete the ‘Duplicate Passport No Microchip’ form
2. Call your vet. The vet must remark your horse and insert a microchip into the animal. They must record the microchip on the marking chart. They must also sign and stamp the above form.
3. Return the form and marking chart to The IPSA with the appropriate fee (detailed below)
All horses must be named at the time of first registration with the IPSA and cost of naming is included in the registration fee
The IPSA offers the facility to register a prefix . Any horse named with a registered IPSA prefix cannot have its name changed in the IPSA Register, without the permission of the person who owns the prefix. Prefix forms are available to download or upon request from The IPSA and the following rules apply:
If you have a horse registered with another studbook you may wish to have that animal recorded in the IPSA Register for breeding or competition purposes. The horse will retain its original passport and breed code but will be recorded in the IPSA Register. For endorsement, send the passport plus the appropriate fee (detailed below) to The IPSA.
| Process | IPSAFee |
| Registration of foals | € 55 |
| Registration of adult horses (Yearling & Older) | € 110 |
| Identification document/non-pedigree passports | € 25 (limited time offer – normally € 35) |
| Change of registered owner | € 20 |
| Change of Name | € 40 |
| Duplicate passports | € 45 |
| Naming | € Nil (all horses named on first registering) |
| Prefix registration | €40 |
| Passport endorsement (Overstamp) | € 40 |
| Stallion Registration & Licensing | Contact Office |
| Recorded Return Delivery | Ireland € 10 UK € 16 |
The IPSA does not operate an open membership and therefore the fees as stated above are payable by all applicants.
If however you have a large number of animals to be registered you may contact us to discuss possible bulk discount. Each such application will be considered on case by case basis.
(During times of busy registration processing an answering machine service may be in operation)