Rules & Regulations

Tongue Tattoos

Horses entered in the Foal Book through 1996 received tattoos on the lower left side of the tongue. The tongue tattoo code is shown on the horse’s registration certificate. In some rare cases older horses did not receive a tongue tattoo.

Some horses foaled in North America also received an interim tongue tattoo for identification until they could be tattooed by the KFPS. This was usually done in cases where the foal was weaned before judging by the KFPS. The interim tattoos were placed on the lower right side of the tongue. These horses have two tongue tattoos.

The tongue tattoo can be read by grasping the horse’s tongue and pulling it to the left side of the mouth.

Electronic Identification (Microchips)

Horses entered in the Foal Book in 1997 and later received electronic identification codes. The electronic chip was implanted in the horse’s upper left neck approximately mid way between the withers and poll. The electronic ID code is shown on the horse’s registration certificate.

An electronic reading device is required to “read” the implanted chip. Many veterinarians have the reader devices or the device can be rented from the FHANA office.

ID chips that were implanted in Europe use a different electronic format than chips implanted in North America. The FHANA readers can read chips in both the North American and European format.

Brands

Friesian horses entered in the adult studbooks usually have received brands. The brand mark, if any, is shown on the horse’s registration certificate. The KFPS has discontinued branding.

Horses have been branded on the upper left neck. It can be difficult to read some horse’s brands, particularly if the hair coat is long. It may be necessary to wet or shave the hair in order to clearly see a brand.

These are the brands of the Friesian Horse Studbook:

DNA Testing

Blood type testing was discontinued in 1997 and DNA testing was adopted. DNA test results are maintained by FHANA.