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 $65, of which $20 is reimbursed to the tattooer. (On January 1, 2010 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 $65?
The tattooer is not authorized by AQHA to charge any additional charges other than the $65 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 racing department at AQHA by calling (806)378-4713.
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 Racing Department at (806) 378-4713.
REMINDER: All foals born in 1992 or later must be DNA genotyped and parentage verified prior to being tattooed.
Fair Meets - By appointment
Rillito Park - February - March; Wednesdays; 10 a.m.
Yavapai Downs - June - September; Saturdays; 9:00 a.m.
Turf Paradise - October - December
Lee Peterson
(602) 882-7593
Fairplex and Northern Fair meets - By appointment
Darrell Sparks
(510) 886-7285
Los Alamitos and farms -By appointment
Juan Garcia (626) 975-0028
Arapahoe Park - By appointment
Wayne Epsteen
(580) 320-9288
Tampa Bay
Patrick Bovenzi
(813) 240-0132
Available November thru April only
Hialeah Park / Area Farms
Denver Beckner
(301) 758-2552
Call for days available at track
Fair Meets/Pocatello - By appointment
Dave Wheeler
(208) 538-7170 or call
Cory Wheeler
(208) 313-7179
Gem County Fair/Les Bois Park/Rupert - By appointment
Dave Wheeler
(208) 538-7170
Arlington Park/Fairmount Park - By appointment
Gene Allen
(309) 447-6595
Hoosier Park/Indiana Downs - By appointment
James Armstrong (636) 209-7894
or Area Farms Doug Crabtree (740) 245-0600 By appointment
Prairie Meadows - By appointment
Dennis Kochevar
(402) 987-3490 / (712) 389-2920
Eureka Downs - Every other Monday April-June 1-4 pm
Jerry Banks
(918) 224-6506
The Woodlands - By appointment
Contact AQHA Racing Department (806) 378-4713
The Red Mile - July
Contact AQHA Racing Department (806) 378-4713
Fair Grounds (By appointment) - Delta Downs (Tuesdays, 1pm, Barn #5) - Evangeline Downs (Mondays; 10am, Barn area)
Duane Domingue
(337) 589-5971
(337) 589-7441 ext. 1080
Louisiana Downs - By appointment
Jerry Engle
(318) 949-8560
Mt. Pleasant Meadows - By appointment
Ryan Maxon
(989) 621-3941
Canterbury Park/ Area Farms - By appointment
Josh Van Oort
(515) 418-0101
Montana Fairs/ Yellowstone Downs - By appointment
Contact AQHA Racing Department (806) 378-4713
Elko County Fair - By appointment
Jerry Richins
(435) 232-4333
Area Farms - By appointment
Jerry Richins - (435) 232-4333
The Downs at Albuquerque / Sunray Park - By appointment
Wayne Epsteen
(580) 320-9288
Ruidoso Downs (Wed/Thur) / Sunland Park (Wed/Thur) / Zia Park (Wed/Thur)
By Appointment
Cenobio Sainz
(915) 490-1335
North Dakota Horse Park - By appointment
Contact AQHA Racing Department (806) 378-4713
Chippewa Downs - By appointment
Contact AQHA Racing Department (806) 378-4713
Beulah Park/River Downs - By appointment
Doug Crabtree
(740) 245-0600
Blue Ribbon Downs (Schedule at track) / Farms (by appointment)/ Will Rogers Downs (schedule at track)
Mike Cusimano (918) 774-8048 or
Joel Cusimano (918) 774-5235
Fair Meadows (Wednesdays during meet 10:00-12:00 / Farms -By appointment / Remington Park (Wednesdays during meet 10:00-12:00)/ Ross Meadows (By appointment)
Jerry Banks
(918) 224-6506
Portland Meadows / Grants Pass Downs / Fair Meets - By appointment
Ken Twiggs
(612) 214-0682
County Fair Meets/Ft. Pierre - By appointment
Skip Moody
(605) 999-2303
Gillespie Co. Fair
Jake Stewart
(254) 654-5098
Lone Star Park
Rex Hardy
(254) 722-8436 By Appointment
Manor Downs
Rex Hardy
(254) 722-8436 By Appointment
Retama Park Area (Track excluded)
Wayne Griffith
(210) 237-6613 By appointment
Sam Houston Race Park
Thad Briley
(281) 807-8700 By appointment
Farms - South
Debbie Wilkinson
(361) 348-2716 By appointment
Farms - North
Rex Hardy
(254) 722-8436 By Appontment
Farms - East
Thad Briley
(281) 807-8888 By appointment
Farms - Permian Basin
Lisa VanNatta
(432) 528-9914 By Appointment
Laurel Brown - By appointment
Jerry Richins
(435) 232-4333
Dixie Downs - By appointment
Jerry Richins
(435) 232-4333
Area Farms - By appointment
Jerry Richins - (435) 232-4333
Fair Meets / Sun Downs - By appointment)
Bob Lawrence
(509) 544-0892
Wyoming Downs - By appointment
Jim Stoker
(307) 883-2666
Alberta - Lethbridge (By appointment)
Buckey Stockwell
(403) 703-6516
British Columbia - Kamloops (By appointment)
Butch McDonald
(250) 377-0098
Manitoba - Rossburn Parkland Downs (July 10-11; 8am-12pm)
Assiniboia Downs (tattoo day set by tattooer)
Blair Anderson
(306) 554-5510
(306) 554-7720
Ontario - Ajax Downs (By appointment, or at track during live meet)
Sean Slater
(905) 953-5423
Saskatchewan - Queensbury Downs/Yorkton Exhibition/Marquis Downs - By appointment
Blair Anderson
(306) 554-5510
(306) 554-7720
Mexico City - By appointment
Daniel Hernandez
011-5255-387-0650