Registry Rules

Icelandic Horse Breed Registry Rules

Revised June 2015

Important! The table of contents is here to help you find your way quickly to the information that you need, but it is important to read the entire the Registry Rules before you register your horse.

No effort will be made to make the registration information including owner's names and addresses private and thus the USIHC bears no responsibility with regards to privacy issues.

Table of Contents

SECTION 1. REGISTRATION OF DOMESTIC-BRED HORSES WHERE BOTH SIRE AND DAM RESIDED IN THE U.S.
SECTION 2. REGISTRATION OF IMPORTED HORSES.
SECTION 3. REGISTRATION OF HORSES IMPORTED IN UTERO EXCEPT FROM ICELAND
SECTION 4. REGISTRATION OF HORSES IMPORTED IN UTERO FROM ICELAND
SECTION 5. STALLION REPORT FOR ALL STALLIONS BREEDING IN THE U.S.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION OF DOMESTIC-BRED HORSES BRED BY ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
SECTION 7. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF STILLBORN FOALS SECTION 8. EMBRYO TRANSPLANT
SECTION 9. BREEDING RECORDS
SECTION 10. DNA
SECTION 11. CHANGES IN CERTIFICATES
SECTION 12. DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES
SECTION 13. BUSINESS NAMES OF ICELANDIC OWNERS
SECTION 14. NAMES
SECTION 15. OWNERS/AGENTS
SECTION 16. TRANSFERS
SECTION 17. TRANSFER WITHOUT SIGNATURE OF RECORDED OWNER
SECTION 18. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REGISTRY
SECTION 19. CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION
SECTION 20. DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
SECTION 21. REGISTRY PROCEDURES

CURRENT FEES FOR REGISTRATION

REGISTRY OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

Section 1. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF DOMESTIC-BRED HORSES WHERE BOTH SIRE AND DAM RESIDED IN THE U.S.)

Printable Domestic Horse Form
Color Code Table

A horse conceived and born in the United States is eligible for registration if the following requirements are met:

  1. the horse is of pure Icelandic blood.
  2. the sire and dam are registered with the USIHC Registry.
  3. the Registry has received a Stallion Report for the sire with the dam's name on it, for the year in which the relevant breeding took place.
  4. the horse needs to be microchipped. 
  5. an application for registration of the horse on a domestic horse form provided by the Registry has been completed and signed by the owner and filed with the Registry.
  6. the DNA of the horse to be registered has been placed on permanent record with an agency to be designated by the Registry and a copy of that genetic marker is to be sent in with the application for registration.
  7. a statement of parent verification issued by the same designated agency as the DNA was done, has been sent with the application for registration.
  8. the registration fee has been paid.

Section 2. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF IMPORTED HORSES.

Printable Imported Horse Form
Color Code Table

A horse imported into the United States is eligible for registration if the following requirements are met:

  1. the horse is of pure Icelandic blood.
  2. the horse has registration papers, and/or Certificate of Origin, if a separate document, issued by a registry recognized by FEIF. Horses imported from Iceland after June 2002 must include the Certificate of Ownership. The original registration or Certificate of Origin must be sent along with the application and it will be stamped and returned. The passport may also be sent to be stamped and returned, but this is optional.
  3. an application for registration of the horse on imported horse form provided by the USIHC Registry has been completed, signed by the owner and filed with the Registry.
  4. the horse,unless a gelding, has been DNA tested and the record of DNA if performed outside of the United States, placed on permanent record with an agency designated by the Registry and a copy of that genetic marker is to be sent in with the application for registration.
  5. the registration fee has been paid.

Section 3. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF HORSES IMPORTED IN UTERO EXCEPT FROM ICELAND

Printable Domestic Horse Form
Color Code Table

A horse imported in utero into the United States is eligible for registration if the following requirements are met:

  1. the horse is of pure Icelandic blood.
  2. the sire is registered in the country where the breeding took place with a registry recognized by FEIF.
  3. the dam is registered with the USIHC.
  4. an application for registration of the horse on a domestic horse form provided by the Registry been completed, signed by the owner and filed with the Registry.
  5. a copy of the sire's registration from the country in which the relevant breeding took place.
  6. a copy of the stallion report filed in that country, for the year in which the relevant breeding took place must be sent in with the registration application.
  7. the DNA records of the sire have been placed on permanent record with an agency designated by the Registry.
  8. the DNA records of the horse to be registered has been placed on permanent record with an agency designated by the registry and a copy of that genetic marker is to be sent in with the application for registration.
  9. a statement of parent verification issued by the same designated agency as the DNA was done, has been sent with the application for registration .
  10. the registration fee has been paid.

Section 4. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF HORSES IMPORTED IN UTERO FROM ICELAND

Printable Domestic Horse Form
Color Code Table

A horse imported in utero into the United States from Iceland is eligible for registration if the following requirements are met:

  1. the horse is of pure Icelandic blood.
  2. the dam is registered with the USIHC
  3. an application for registration of the horse on a domestic horse form provided by the Registry been completed, signed by the owner and filed with the Registry. The Breeders or Service Certificate on the application need not be completed.
  4. a copy of the dam's Certificate of Origin or passport from Iceland with the breeding to the sire recorded on it and/or the breeding must be recorded in Worldfengur by the stallion owner.
  5. the DNA of the horse to be registered has been placed on permanent record with an agency designated by the Registry and a copy of that genetic marker has been sent in with the application for registration.
  6. a statement of parent verification issued by the same designated agency as did the DNA has been sent with the application verifying the Dam only.
  7. the registration fee has been paid.

Section 5. STALLION REPORT FOR ALL STALLIONS BREEDING IN THE U.S.

Printable Stallion Report Form

  1. It is important that at the time the breeding fees are paid for outside breedings, the stallion owner fills out his portion of the domestic horse application for registration for the offspring from this breeding and gives it to the owner of the mare. This way when the time comes to register the offspring no one has to go looking for signature or information.
  2. If the stallion owner breeds a stallion to several mares a year you can fill out a domestic horse application form with the exception of signatures and photo copy it to use as a boilerplate form. This can save you some paperwork.

On or before January 10th of each year the recorded owner of each Icelandic stallion to which Icelandic mares have been exposed during the preceding calendar year must submit a Stallion Report on a form provided by the Registry. It is mandatory that all such mares be listed, whether determined in foal or not. If a mare was not on a filed stallion report an amended report must be filed.

  1. the report shall include the mare's name and registration number as well as the name of the mare's recorded owner at the time of service.
  2. the report shall be signed by the recorded owner of the stallion at the time of filing.
  3. if the stallion was leased, the report must provide the name and address of the lessee and attach a list identifying which mares were bred while the lessee was managing the stallion.
  4. if the stallion or his semen was brought into the US for breeding:
    1. a copy of that stallion's registration certificate issued by a FEIF recognized association from the country in which the horse is residing must be attached.
    2. the DNA of the stallion must have been placed on permanent record with an agency designated by the Registry.
    3. the recorded owner of the stallion must file a designation of agent pursuant to Section 14(b) naming a U.S. resident to sign Registry-related documents. That agent shall have all of the responsibilities of the recorded owner.

Section 6. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF DOMESTIC-BRED HORSES BRED BY ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

  1. In the event both are in the U.S., all requirements of Section 1 apply.
  2. In the event the sire is not in the U.S., all requirements of Section 3 apply except subsections (e) and (f). In place of subsection (e) a copy of the sire's registration shall be provided. In place of subsection (f) a U.S. Stallion report pursuant to Section 5 must be filed.

Section 7. REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF STILLBORN FOALS

  1. ALL requirements of Section 1 apply.
  2. A letter must accompany the application stating that the foal was stillborn.
  3. The foal will be recorded in WorldFengur with the fate designation "stillborn".
  4. Only if requested in the letter with the application will a formal registration certificate be sent with the designation "stillborn".

Section 8. EMBRYO TRANSPLANT

  1. All requirements of Section 1 apply.
  2. the mare carrying the transplanted embryo must be registered with the USIHC.
  3. the registration fee has been paid

Section 9. BREEDING RECORDS

A record of breeding and foaling dates must be kept in permanent form by mare and stallion owners or lessees. Any owner applying for registration of an Icelandic Horse may be required to supply such additional information and documentary evidence regarding the horse in question as the Registry may reasonably determine to be necessary and appropriate for the registration of the horse.

Section 10. DNA

The USIHC Registry maintains the permanent files in conjunction with the University of California at Davis, Serology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California 95616, (530) 752-2211.

Section 11. CHANGES IN CERTIFICATES

Identification Mark Form

  1. a permanent change of color or correction of markings must be recorded. The original registration certificate must be returned to the Registry where notation of color or marking change will be recorded. Current photographs or drawings clearly showing the new color and correction of markings must accompany the original certificate.
  2. castration must be recorded. The original registration certificate must be filled out and returned to the Registry.
  3. no changes, additions or deletions may be made to the registration certificate by the owner of the horse. In all instances where a change, addition or deletion is required, the certificate must be returned to the Registry where these changes will be made at no charge.
  4. upon the death of a horse, the back of the horse’s registration certificate should be filled out and returned to the USIHC for recording and cancellation. Upon request the cancelled certificate will be returned to the recorded owner.
  5. adding an identification mark to your horse's record. Fill out the identification mark form and either mail it or fax it to the USIHC registry office at no charge. If you wish to have it printed on your horses USIHC Certificate make sure to send the certificate along with the filled out form.

Section 12. DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES

  1. to obtain a duplicate certificate of registration, the recorded owner must file with the Registry a letter, satisfactorily explaining the loss of the original certificate of registration, and pay the duplicate certificate fee.
  2. upon approval by the Registry, a duplicate certificate of registration, so marked, will be issued to the recorded owner of the horse.

Section 13. BUSINESS NAMES OF ICELANDIC OWNERS

Form for Use of Farm Name

  1. a breeder may register for exclusive use of a name to be used as a suffix in naming horses. Such a name will be allowed to only one person or entity. In the event two or more persons in good faith apply to use the same name, the first application will be granted.
  2. a breeder's suffix may be added to a horse's name only by the recorded owner of the dam at the time of service by the sire.
  3. if the recorded owner of the dam at time of breeding wishes to assign this right, a letter from the recorded owner making this assignment must accompany the registration application.

Section 14. NAMES

What should I name the horse?

This is where we look to Icelandic tradition, FEIF, and the USIHC Rules to see what is the proper way to name an Icelandic horse. A proper Icelandic horse name has three distinct parts. When put together correctly it should give you a good deal of information about the horse.

First Name

The first part of the horse's name often has to do with the appearance of the horse, names like "Brúnka" ("brown horse") and "Blesi" ("horse with a blaze") are representatives of these types of names. The first part of the name can also tell of the horse's character or temperament. Names such as "Galsi" ("playful") and "Elja" ("power, energy"). It is also appropriate to give a horse a first name tied to Norse mythology. Names like "Óðinn" and "Þokkadís". There are other names that although not Icelandic in origin are also considered traditional names and thus acceptable. Examples of names like this would be "Hera" and "Mósart".

Really this part of the name is up to the imagination of the namer. The only rule the USIHC registry has in this area is that the name of each horse must be an Icelandic name or word. However, it is wise to make sure that you pick a name that is appropriate for the sex of the horse. For the most part, names are strictly either masculine or feminine. Two good sources for these names are the book Hrímfaxi, which is available for order through Eiðfaxi at www.eidfaxi.is and the web site Fákur which has a list of names, at http://home.arcor.de/fakur/en/index.html

Middle Name

The next part of the horse's name is a small connecting word. This word will give you a clue as to the country in which the horse was born. In Icelandic this word is "frá" which means "from". However, this word changes depending on the language spoken in the country the horse was born. For example, if a horse is born in France, the connecting word will be in French will be "de". In Germany, the word is "von" or "vom". In Sweden it is "från". Here in the US and other English speaking countries the word is "from".

Last Name

The last part of the horse's name is the breeder's trademark – usually the name of the breeder's farm. Traditionally in Iceland farm names come not from the owner's imagination, but rather from the geographic area where the farm is located. For example "Oddhóll" and "Langhús". Here in the US we usually have more commercial farm names, which are just as acceptable. The breeder's farm name in the US need not be an Icelandic word.

Farms in the US are able to register exclusive rights to a breeding farm name. To do so, just requires filling out the Form for Use of Farm Name and sending it to the USIHC registrar. The only requirement is that the name has not been previously reserved.

In Iceland the current rule is that the foal will bear the name of the farm where it is physically born, whether or not that farm had anything to do with its breeding. Outside Iceland in several FEIF countries including the US, we follow the rule that the mare owner at the time of the breeding has the right to choose the farm name of the foal. That way, the foal's name is forever a trademark of the individual(s) who made the actual breeding decision. That person(s) can then pass off the right to the new owner with a simple letter if they so wish before the foal is registered.

Form for name change of horses not shown or evaluated.

Happy naming!

  1. Horse owners can register a name for their horse in WorldFengur. Horses must be given names before (and cannot be changed after) they are shown at a breeding evaluation or they compete in an official FEIF competition registered in WorldFengur. The name of a horse can not be changed after they have a registered offspring in WorldFengur. Horse owners can use the list of horse names in WorldFengur (which includes allowed names) as a reference. If the name they want to use is not in the list, they can apply for it (by national registrars) and if the name is allowed, it is added to the list. Following rules apply for names of Icelandic horses registered in WorldFengur:
    • The name must be in accordance with Icelandic naming traditions.
    • The name must be able to take the form of Icelandic declension and/or the name must have gained a tradition in the Icelandic language.
    • The name shall not violate the Icelandic system of grammar and spelling.
    • The name must be masculine for a stallion/gelding and feminine for a mare, neuter names are not allowed.
    • Names consisting entirely of initials are not allowed.
    • Names that have a vulgar or obscene meaning; names considered in poor taste; or names that may be offensive to religious, political or ethnic groups are not allowed
  2. The name of a horse previously registered with another registry will not be changed or added.
  3. Breeder’s suffixes may be changed of horses . The horse is not to have been evaluated or participated in any events. Changes may be made by the breeder only. A fee will be collected for these changes.
  4. Except for the breeder's suffix, the name of each horse must be an Icelandic name or word. The spelling of the name is to be in Icelandic characters and already existing in WorldFengur.
  5. The Registry reserves the right to approve or disapprove any name, which it believes, is not in the best interests of the breed. In such case, the owner will be notified of the decision and will have the right to appeal such a decision to the Board of Directors.

Section 15. OWNERS/AGENTS

Printable Agent Designation Form

  1. Unless legal proof to the contrary is presented, the person to whom the certificate is issued is considered the owner of the registered horse. The name of the owner must be a full legal name. In the event of the dual or multiple ownership, all names of owners must appear on the certificate.
    2. li>In the event the individual owner wishes to designate an agent to sign registry related documents, he shall place on file with the Registry a letter designating that agent signed by the recorded owner and the agent.
  2. In the event a horse is owned by a farm, corporation, partnership or other entity, the registry must have on file a letter signed by a principal of the entity designating an agent authorized to sign Registry related documents. The agent must sign said letter as well.
  3. In the event of a leased mare or stallion, the recorded owner shall be responsible for signing and filing all Registry related documents on the leased horse, unless the lessee has been designated as agent pursuant to 14(b).

Section 16. TRANSFERS

To transfer the recorded ownership of a registered horse, the registration certificate must be forwarded to the Registry with the proper information entered on the back and the transfer fee. The transfer will be processed and the certificate mailed to the new owner.

Section 17. TRANSFER WITHOUT SIGNATURE OF RECORDED OWNER

Whenever legal title to a registered horse passes to another by reason of death of the recorded owner, by reason of foreclosure of any lien or by any order or decree of Court, or otherwise by operation of law, the Registry may transfer the registration of such a horse to the new owner:

  1. upon receipt of an order of a Court of competent jurisdiction or other satisfactory proof of authority for the transfer, authorizing such transfer.
  2. upon payment of the transfer fee and any responsible costs and expenses of the investigation.
  3. upon satisfaction of such other requirements as may be determined by the Registry.

Section 18. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REGISTRY

  1. the Registrar shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.
  2. the Registrar shall have the power to approve registration applications if the requirements stated in these registry rules are satisfied.
  3. a horse is of pure Icelandic blood only if each ancestor in the pedigree of an individual horse is traceable to Iceland. The Registrar may require whatever proof of this fact he or she deems necessary. Registration by a FEIF member organization is an indicator that an individual horse is purebred but it is not absolute proof and the Registrar may in his or her discretion refuse to recognize any registration and require proof that the horse's ancestors trace to Iceland.
  4. the Registrar may refuse registry to any horse whose application is, in his or her opinion, considered to be incomplete or incorrect.
  5. burden of proof for the authenticity of the background information of a horse is upon the breeder and subsequent sellers, as well as the owner who applies for registration of such a horse.
  6. the Registrar may, in his or her discretion, refuse to perform any registry transaction when the Registry has received written notice of any dispute or controversy involving ownership or accuracy of information pertinent to registration. The Registry shall use diligence in securing true information in connection with the registration of any and all horses registered by it, but neither the Registry nor the USIHC or its officers shall be answerable in damages for the issuance or denial of any certificate of registration made in conformity with information supplied by the applicant for registration.
  7. the USIHC provides the Registry as a service to its members and is in no way liable for any misrepresentation of the horse to a buyer or to the public.
  8. in the event of a refusal to register, the Registrar shall inform the owner of the reasons for the refusal to register.
  9. the decisions of the Registrar will be subject to appeal and revision provided that a written appeal (or request for revision) is filed with the Board of Directors within ninety (90) days from the date of the decision. If the party requesting the appeal wishes, a hearing will be held by the Board of Directors, expenses of such hearing to be borne by the requesting party. Said hearing will be scheduled within ninety (90) days from the date of the request. All parties shall have reasonable notice of the hearing and an opportunity to be heard. Decision on the appeal shall be made in writing within thirty (30) days after the date of the hearing.

Section 19. CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION

  1. the Registrar may propose to the Board of Directors the cancellation of the registration of a horse and its progeny if he or she finds that there are reasonable grounds to believe:
    1. that the requirements for registration were not met
    2. that a horse identified as the subject of a registration certificate is not the subject of that certificate.
  2. the Registrar will advise the recorded owner of the horse and the owners of all existing or potential progeny of the horse, in writing, of any proposed to cancel the registration of the horse and the reasons supporting this proposal
  3. at the time of issuing a proposal for cancellation or at any time prior thereto when the Registrar finds reasonable grounds for such cancellation, the Registrar may temporarily suspend the certificate of registration of such horse, certificates of registration for its progeny, transfers of the certificate of registration for such a horse and for such horse's progeny and applications for registration of progeny of such horse, pending a decision by the Board of Directors. If a temporary suspension is imposed, all those known to the Registrar to be recorded owners of the horse or its progeny will be notified in writing of the cancellation.
  4. if the Registrar issues a proposal for cancellation of the registration of a horse, a request for a hearing may be made to the Board of Directors by any party eligible to receive notice of the cancellation. This request for a hearing must:
    1. be in writing.
    2. state all grounds and reasons why the registration of the horse should not be cancelled.
    3. be filed with the Board of Directors within ninety (30) days after the date of the proposal of cancellation of registration.
  5. if no request for a hearing is made, the Board of Directors may issue an order of cancellation. If a request for a hearing is made in accordance with this Rule, a hearing will be held within ninety (90) days of the filing of the request. All expenses of the hearing will be borne by the requesting party. Decision will be made by the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of the hearing.
    6. notice of any temporary suspension and cancellation of a certificate may be published in any USIHC official publication.

Section 20. DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

No person shall refuse any reasonable request by the Board of Directors or the Registrar for assistance in locating, identifying, inspecting, examining or obtaining any information concerning any Registry matters. Violation of this rule is grounds for disciplinary action as may be recommended by the Board of Directors.

Section 21. REGISTRY PROCEDURES

The following guidelines and procedures are used by the Registry in considering applications. They are not rules and may be changed by the Board of Directors.

  1. All applications for registration with USIHC and related documents must be submitted on official USIHC forms unless no relevant form exists. The form must be completed in full by the person applying for registration, and accompanied by any required attachments, and the correct registration fee. If the application is not complete, the applicant will be notified.
  2. Deposit of registration fees (money order or check) by the Registry does not constitute acceptance for registration of a horse.
  3. In order for USIHC registry procedures to be effected, i.e., new registrations, transfers, duplicate certificates, etc., written correspondence is required. No procedures will be effected based on telephoned communication.
  4. Owners may be denied all privileges of the Registry for failure to comply with the published rules and written request to return a registration certificate.

 

The US Icelandic Horse Congress is a member of FEIF, the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations, representing Icelandic Horse associations in 21 countries. FEIF brings people together in their passion for the Icelandic Horse.

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