Dear Editor…
Letters to the Editor are welcome and printed on a space availability basis.
Dear Editor:
H
i Nancy, it's been a while (-: I am contacting Saddle Up regarding a new registration rule applied to APHA foals. APHA stallions and mares both must be DNA'd as of this year to register the foal. I submitted the registration application for my first 2022 foal, on-line, last week. My credit card was charged $188.34 for one, under three month old foal. I called APHA to inform them that an error had been made and they charged me twice for the mare DNA. I knew I'd have to DNA her as she was not done yet, but they charged me for 2 kits. The January 2022 ruling, voted on by APHA members is that all foals must be DNA'd before they can be registered. This means $60 US paid up front to APHA, along with $25 for registration, then the DNA kit is sent to the breeder who fills out the forms,
pulls the hair and sends the kit to University of California for testing. This ruling is so unfair to breeders, keeping in mind that all breeders are members - not all members are breeders. This should have been voted on by the breeders only. The sire and dam already have their DNA on file; the foal can be done any time in the future. The breeder should not be responsible for this extra time and cost.
Dynamint Equine ALL NATURAL SOOTHING LOTION for SORE or STRAINED MUSCLES & JOINTS Available in 1L Spray bottle for easy and quick application to larger areas, or a 500 ml rub bottle. A soothing combination of natural essential oils in a gentle cream base. specially formulated with natural ingredients to assist in the relief of leg, muscle and joint strain. Internationally recognized Horse Trainer, Clinician and Rider, as well as founder/ trainer of the world famous Calgary Stampede Drill Team: Jill Barron says: “As a professional horse trainer, Dynamint Equine Leg & Muscle Rub is an important aspect of my program. Dynamint is a natural product that has a cooling effect, it calms tired, sore muscles and rejuvenates horses keeping them feeling their best. I use Dynamint on my horses and myself. The results I have experienced have not been matched by any other product in the market. For long hauls and after hard workouts Dynamint is the only product I use on horse’s legs. If you are looking for a product that is safe on skin and delivers results, trust Dynamint Equine Leg & Muscle Rub. Your horse will thank you!” National Distributor: Canadian Centurion • 1-800-361-3860 • Local: Janian Imports (604) 462-9238 Manufactured for: Integrated Bio Systems Inc. • Abbotsford, BC • Phone: 1-877-501-5003 E-Mail: intbiosys@shaw.ca • www.integratedbiosys.com
6 • AUGUST 2022
SADDLEUP.CA
I am a lifetime member of AQHA and APHA and have been breeding registered horses for over 40 years. Because of this ruling I will now be registering my colour foals as Pinto and will supply the buyer with the registration application for the APHA if the buyer chooses to do that. The solid foals don't qualify for Pinto so will not be registered. I went on-line just to see how many horses I've registered over the years... I didn't even get to that because, apparently, I am still the registered owner of 185 head. These are horses I've sold over the years whose owners just never transferred them. The majority of horse owners don't care about papers, those of us who are breeding do, and for $25 US I register every foal, solid or paint. Not anymore. I am so disappointed with this ruling. I've put many years into bloodlines, breeding, etc. and feel a huge loss with this basically redundant foal DNA requirement. With the sire and dam already on file why can't the foal be done at a future date if their DNA is necessary? Geldings will never breed so why even do them? This should be the current owner’s decision. If a colt turns out to be stallion material at some future date, then DNA him. If someone has a mare for years then decides to breed her, DNA her then. Some people may think 'it's only $60' but it's not when you have more than one mare. I've owned and bred up to 30 mares per season in the past, have 5 bred for next spring. This will be a $500 bill to register these 5 foals. It's just too much. I am one of the only breeders in my area, so haven't spoken to many others, but I feel they are having to make some tough decisions as well. APHA informed me that they are doing this 'to maintain the integrity of the breed.' There is nothing to maintain if the horses don't get registered. Thanks for your time and bye for now. - Granny Quintal, Diamond Willow Paint & Quarter Horses, Oliver BC
