KFPS/ FHANA Approved Stallion Process

The North American Stallion Selection procedures are part of the KFPS breeding program and are administered by the KFPS.  The first step is presenting a young stallion at 2 ½ years to an inspection in your region.   Stallions must reach the age of 2 ½ years old no later than August 1st.  If you believe that your Stallion is a possible candidate, it is wise to record a high quality video of the stallion’s inspection.

If the inspection judges select your Stallion as a potential candidate to participate in the selection process to become a licensed KFPS breeding stallion, a quality video of the horse in hand showing all sides of the horse in a walk , trot and standing still will be required.  This video will be sent to the KFPS Stallion Inspection Jury by FHANA for the jury to evaluate the horse to see if they agree with the inspection judges.

If the KFPS Stallion Inspection Jury is in agreement with the Inspection Jury, the stallion is invited to start the selection process.

The North American Stallion Selection process consist of three videos recorded approximately 6 weeks apart.  The first video is in late May.  This video is to show the horse under saddle in a walk, trot and standing still, viewed from all sides.  The video should be focused on the horse’s natural movement should not include elements such as slow-motion video or items such as music.

In conjunction with this video, test results of the stallion’s semen quality and x-rays need to be sent over to the KFPS through the FHANA Office.

Upon evaluation of the first video, semen test results and x-rays, the KFPS Stallion Inspection Jury will send feedback within approximately two weeks of receiving the video.

The Stallion Inspection Jury will do one of three things:

1.      Give corrections and ask for the next video in mid-July.

2.      Ask you to bring the stallion back next year.

3.      Ask you not to bring the stallion back.

After the second video is sent in mid-July, the jury will have another two weeks to evaluate the stallion has the potential to be good enough, they will invite the stallion to participate in the 70 day test.

The third video is due at the end of August.  After the jury receives the third video, again they have two weeks to evaluate the video and if the jury believes the stallion has potential to be good enough, they will invite the stallion to participate in the 70 day test.

The 70-day test will start approximately one month after the invitation to the 70-day test.  The stallion will be evaluated the first day of the 70-day test by the jury to make sure they feel the stallion is good enough to participate in the test.  From that point forward, the judges will have contact with the trainer and will continue to evaluate the stallion’s over all development.

At the end of the 70-day test, the stallion is tested by the KFPS Stallion Inspection Jury. If the stallion is deemed “good enough” it will be awarded a provisional breeding license.  The provisional breeding license is good for five breeding seasons with a limit of 180 breeding’s per year (not including frozen semen).  In order to receive a permanent breeding license, the stallion’s offspring are tested with the ABFP test and the results of the offspring will determine if the stallion will receive a permanent breeding license without any breeding quantity restrictions..

Stallion Testing Checklist

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
OF THE KFPS STALLIONS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION IN THE BREEDING PROGRAM (2009-2010).

X-Ray Requirements

1. A complete set of radiographs for the review of the veterinary classification committee comprises 22 radiographs of excellent radio-technical quality according to projection and exposure.
   (Projections according: A standardized nomenclature for radiographic projections used in veterinary medicine. James E. Smallwood et al. Veterinary Radiology, Vol.26, No. 1, 1985; pp 2-9)
2. Name of the horse, registration number, chip number, date of X-ray examination and the indication of the legs have to be printed on the radio­graphs.
3. Prints of the X-rays are required. Maximal size of the prints 25 x 30 cm
   (9.8 – 11.8 inches).

(Complete information on the x-rays requirements can be obtained through the FHANA office by request.)

Stallions foaled before January 1, 2007

Navicular Disease	Class 0-1-2 (acceptable)
Sesamoiditis	No Selection
Arthritis, pastern/fetlock	Class 0-1-2-3 (acceptable)
Spavin	Class 0-1-2 (acceptable)
Osteochondrosis, hock	Negative
Osteochondrosis, knee	Negative

Stallions foaled on January 1, 2007 or thereafter

Navicular disease	Class 0-1-2 (acceptable)
Sesamoiditis	No Selection
Arthritis, pastern/fetlock	Class 0-1-2-3 (acceptable)
Spavin	Class 0-1-2 (acceptable)
Osteochondrosis, hock	Class A-B-C
Osteochondrosis, knee	Class A-B-c

The secondary findings revealed during X-ray testing such as ringbones, sidebones and calcification of the processus extensorius, etc. will be considered in the Stallion Inspection Jury’s decision-making process but will not essentially impede participation in the judging.

Findings from the semen analysis will be assessed only if this testing was conducted at an agency selected for this purpose by the KFPS.

Stallions being tested must be unshod. The owner is responsible for any risks during stabling, semen collection and transport. The owner must present the stallion’s registration certificate. The findings of the semen testing will be determined on the basis of two collections taken about one hour apart.

The finding of semen testing are valid only if the testing was conducted within 12 months previous to the second round of judging. Stallions that participated previously in a second round of judging will thus have to undergo semen testing again.

(Any stallions that underwent semen testing in a foreign country and have been referred to the Central Examination will have to undergo another testing in the Netherlands before participating in the Central Examination).

The findings of the semen testing will be assessed by a committee assigned by the KFPS for this purpose. This committee can recommend that the testing be repeated.

The findings of the semen testing have to be made available to the KFPS by a date established by the KFPS. If the findings do not reach the KFPS by this date, the stallion will be excluded from participation in the second round of judging.

Semen Analysis:

To continue participation the stallions will have to satisfy the following norms.

Stallions that are 3 years of age during the calendar year in which the second round of judging is held

• 600 x 106 TNB, Morphology: at least 50.0%, motility: at least 50%
• 800 x 106 TNB, Morphology: at least 45.0%, motility: at least 50%

Stallions that are 4 years of age or older during the calendar year in which the second round of judging is held:

• 1000 x 106 TNB, morphology: at least 50.0%, motility: at least 50%
• 1200 x 106 TNB, Morphology: at least 45.0%, motility: at least 50%

Stallions with incorrect genitals are barred from continuing on with the judging.
FHANA has learned in the selection of previous approved stallions in North America that the demands made on North American stallions are very different than those of The Netherlands. Specifically the ability of the semen to maintain substantial progressive motility for extended periods of time, 24 to 48 hours. We therefore strongly encourage Prospective Stallion Candidates to, after selection for testing but prior to arrival at the 70 day testing facility, perform a series of collections on the candidate and attempt to develop a protocal that best suits your horse’s semen. This protocol will create an environment in which the semen will remain viable under the typical shipping conditions experienced in North America. In doing this you will insure that your horse, if selected, will be capable of servicing the North American market. This testing and information will remain confidential and is not a requirement either by FHANA or the KFPS, only a suggestion to insure that your stallion, if selected, will be capable of servicing this specific market.

DNA Testing

For participation in the Central Examination stallions must have been tested for the single recessive characteristics chestnut color, dwarfism and hydrocephaly. Carrier status does not rule out participation in the Central Examination or acceptance for Studbook registration. Publishing of test results only applies to stallions that are registered in the Studbook. Publishing of test results is also included in the registration report. Taking samples is carried out during the veterinary inspection as part of the Second Viewing or after inspection.

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KFPS/FHANA requires an experienced Veterinary hospital that is familiar with the stallion approval process conducts this testing. You will need to get approval for X-Ray clinicians from the KFPS.

• The cost for this portion of the testing can reach as high as $5,000.00
• All X-Rays and Semen testing needs to be complete and sent directly to the FHANA (address below.)
• Please check and double check all of your information again to make sure it is complete so as to not incur any additional costs.

X-ray films can be assessed only if they were made by one of the clinics approved by the KFPS. For the Netherlands, these are the “inspection veterinarians”. For other countries, the choice of such a veterinarian must be made in consultation with the KFPS. The films must be made according to the protocol for this procedure.

When tested, the stallions must be at least 26 months old.

The X-ray films are assessed by a committee appointed by the KFPS.

The original X-ray films will remain the property of the KFPS for further research.

Unless the criteria will be changed by the KFPS, the findings of the X-ray testing will apply within the framework of stallion selection throughout the life of the stallion.

An appeal against the findings of the X-ray testing can be submitted to the KFPS no later than two weeks after the assessment date. The reassessment will be conducted by a reassessment committee, the owner being responsible for the costs involved. The appeal procedure involves two elements:

1. A reassessment of the existing films.
2. A first assessment of the new films. The first set of films is also included in this assessment.

The findings of the X-ray testing have to be made available to the FHANA by no later than October 31, in the year the stallion is referred to the jury.. Where they will then be sent to KFPS (Utrecht) for review. If the X-Rays and semen results are not available by this date, the stallion will be excluded from participation in the second round of judging. The University of Utrecht makes all final decisions from X-rays & Semen testing. No other veterinarian hospital recommendation will be considered. The cost to have your X-Rays viewed is $125.00.

Friesian Horse Association of North America
4037 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 160
Lexington, KY 40511
Attention to: Jason Tice