[Spike]

It might be only because registries are often based in USA and I am in Canada and laws might be different... But still.

Why do registries ask buyers to pay for transfer of ownership? I have always tought that a good breeding practice was for the seller (breeder) to ensure that the papers will follow the foal or the horse sold, and consequently, I use to do it (and pay it) myself, unless otherwise agreed with buyer (wich is rare).

But by doing so.. I am basically either buying to the buyer a one year membership that he could not care less to get (like with GOV)... Because even if I am an active member, the buyer is NOT and GOV requires the buyer to be a member in order to get the discounted fee. If the buyer is a member, the fee is low. If buyer's not a member, then the fee is 100$++ AND includes a one year membership for the buyer. I end up, because I want to do things right (be sure that the papers follows the horse I am selling), paying memberships to all my clients! Why there's not the option of seller's paying so if he's a member he gets the discounted fee, and no membership for the buyer... who.. 99% of the time is not a breeder and have basically no use of becoming a GOV member (especially in Canada...where we do not have all these awards etc.)

Or, like another registry (not to name the ISR), it is again the buyer who has to sign etc and pay. I am not a member anymore, so price wise, I would not benefit from a member-discounted fee and I'm fine with that, but even if I would be a member, I would not benefit from a discounted fee: They have a buyer's a member fee ($40ish) then a buyer's not a member fee ($80ish), and a become-a-member+tranfer-of-ownership fees of $120ish wich is basically the same cost than the non-member fee + price to become a member + transfert the ownership fee added all together. Wich is NOT a deal imho, but again, I have to rely on the buyer to send the document back to me after signing it, so I can put the cheque with it and send it to the ISR office?? Or, I have to send the not-signed form, with a cheque, to the buyer, and tell him to mail all that to the ISR office...

Are you all relying on buyers to transfer the papers? Are you all paying those fees for each of the new buyers? Are you asking the buyer to pay it?

Why registries cannot have on their transfer of ownership form the option for the SELLER to pay, and to sign and to say.. "Yes, I have sold X horse to Y person, please transfer the ownership to him in your files and btw, I am paying for it so as I am a member can I pretty please get the discounted fee as I am trying to do the right thing here for that horse as I want the papers to follow him"??

Ok, it is not the LEGAL tranfer, but only the one for the registry purpose, but still, it is important.

Another thing that annoys me... Why on earth do the ISR Oldenburg NA allows for NAME CHANGE (when mare/stallion are not yet approved) ???? Is it not something we are working hard for (that horses keep their registration name forever... so we can track them back)?? Is there other registries that allows that? Can I request from the registry, as a breeder, to prohibit name change on horses I have bred? Like a red tag NO NAME CHANGE ALLOWED in my foals's files??

Because... I get it that it is better that the registry tracks the name change than no tracking at all of it, but asking for the new name on the transfer of ownership form is like opening the door to it... or... not? The very first filly I've bred, was registered with ISR and her new owner did changed her name. She told me, I was fine with it (the filly was 7 months old) but I never got any notice from the registry, saying something like: "hey you breeder, please take note that X horse you have bred, well, his name has changed as of today for... " I don't need to know who bought etc... just that the name has been changed.

Like to hear what you think about those two things.

[NoDQhere]

I think it stinks that registries and the USEF charge what they do for transfer of ownerships. If the fees were reasonable, more people would do them.

[Molly Malone]

I agree - however, the Welsh, Arabian and Trakehner registries require the seller to sign paperwork to transfer ownership (although not pay for it). New Trakehner owners get a year's free membership though, so the transfer fee is only $30.

I am actually surprised that stallion owners don't include registration in the semen contract ie that the stallion owner will pay for registration. You'd think it would benefit the stallion owner to have registered foals, but I've never seen it offered.

[quietann]

I know a couple of breeders -- small scale here -- who will turn around and pay the necessary fees *for* the purchaser, to be sure the horse is registered. One I know does it as part of the purchase transaction and the buyer doesn't leave with the horse until everything's signed, sealed, and ready for the seller to put in the mail!

[Jos]

There is a factor that may make be a contributor to the difference between practices in Canada and the USA. In Canada, it is actually a legal requirement under the Animal Pedigree Act that the registration of animals of a Canadian breed be transferred by the seller within six months after the sale unless notation to the contrary was made:

64. No person shall
(j) without an express statement that the animal’s registration, identification or status as a purebred is from a jurisdiction other than Canada and that the animal will not be registered or identified in Canada by the person, sell, as registered or identified, or as eligible to be registered or identified, or as a purebred, any animal without providing to the buyer thereof within six months after the sale the animal’s duly transferred certificate of registration or certificate of identification.
Animal Pedigree Act 64;(j)

The USA does not have a similar Act of any sort, so there is no precedent or legal requirement to make that transfer.

[Maryanne Nicpon]

A transfer of ownership in the AHHA costs $25. Yes, the new owner has to be a member and if they are not, it is an additional $85. I have, in the past included with the signed transfer of ownership form, a check for the new membership. I did that in the interest of insuring that the transfer gets done, and to try to get a new person interested in Holsteiners. I don't do it much anymore.

What frustrates me as a breeder is when owners of Minglewood bred horses do not register them for year end awards programs. Many of them are winning! It would be really good for my program and it only costs $25. I've even offered to pay! Oh well. I'll stop venting now.

[Sonesta]

Maryanne, the only way to make sure that they get transferred and registered for year end awards is if you do it yourself as the seller. Seems these awards are more important to us breeders than the owners. So, I always do it.

Same with the dogs I breed. I now register every puppy, pay for the microchipping and the lifetime enrollment in the recovery program. Better that I pay and know it is done than worry about it.

[Edgar]

Motivation for the new owner to transfer a Hanoverian in their name with the AHS is multi faceted but one of the good reasons is - They get a free year membership!

[ElegantExpressionsFarm]

With the CWHBA it is the sellers responsibility to transfer the papers. The buyer does not need to be a member to do so.

[Maryanne Nicpon]

Sonesta, I agree with you and have done that on a couple of occasions. But I have lots of babies out there competing now. Most of the owners are not members of the AHHA. So, I'd have to pay $110 for each horse I entered into the award program ($25 for program and $85 for membership). Then I'd have to rely on the riders to submit all their scores in time. I just can't do it.

[ponygirl]

Smart move on AHS.

[ahf]

Smart move on AHS.

I agree.

[RyTimMick]

It sounds like a good deal, but I am curious. Do the recipients of the free year membership return for additional years? Or does the free year get unnoticed like so many free memberships that I get every year.

What as a rider would you find important with a membership to a breed registy?

Tim

[TrakHack]

I wanted to transfer my aged Norwegian Fjord's ownership, but the seller did not send her papers and went radio silent after the mare was shipped to me. I don't mind paying the fees, as the buyer, since I thought it would be fun to show for breed awards. It turns out the mare is not fond of the arena, so I haven't pursued it. The mare is 19; maybe if she were younger and/or liked showing I would put more effort to get the transfer.

My Trakehner is registered, but I don't have the proper chain of ownership documented for transfer. The horse was abandoned at age 22 by his owner of record, and I don't think an agister's lien, internet ad, email correspondence, and photos will meet the transfer requirements. He will be 26 next year.

As a rider, I love and am proud of my horses and want to be affiliated with their registries. It would be nice to have the option for breed awards, too. I completely understand the transfer requirements being the responsibility of the buyer, but it's disappointing when you've got an uncooperative seller.

Interestingly, I tracked down the breeders of both horses. The Trakehner's breeder had only a vague memory of his dam, but the Fjord's breeder remembered my mare's dam fondly and was happy to hear she found a good home.

[Cindyg]

I just bought a Fjord (Where is the heart smilie?!), and the owner paid for the transfer. When I received the papers, the association included a note telling me I was responsible to transfer ownership should I sell him. (Over my dead body!)

So with the NFHR, the seller is supposed to pay for the transfer.

[Molly Malone]

My Trakehner is registered, but I don't have the proper chain of ownership documented for transfer. The horse was abandoned at age 22 by his owner of record, and I don't think an agister's lien, internet ad, email correspondence, and photos will meet the transfer requirements. He will be 26 next year.

I think it is probably a bit late in the day for you, but the rules changed this year in the ATA and have become more flexible to reflect situations such as yours.

[alexandra]

Interestingly: in Germany you do not need to do any transfer of ownership with the registry, unless you want to breed the mare or use stand the stallion.
You have to be member of registry and mare has to be activated in year of breeding so that the breeding is registered and foal papers will be issued.
If the mare is "just" a riding horse the registry is not interested at all. And a horse is only registered with them in the sense of "weissued papers for horse with lifenumber 123456789". The do not have a name in their database until the mare is inspectedor stallion licensed. Mare never presented, stallion never presented - no name in the registry.

[Bent Hickory]

It sounds like a good deal, but I am curious. Do the recipients of the free year membership return for additional years? Or does the free year get unnoticed like so many free memberships that I get every year. What as a rider would you find important with a membership to a breed registy?

This AHS membership benefit that accompanies ownership transfers is new this year. We don't have any statistics on the stickiness of such memberships yet. But from a marketing perspective, I'm not sure the AHS could find a better "target" for its marketing/advertising dollars than someone who just bought one of their registered horses.

[RiverOaksFarm]

Maryanne, the only way to make sure that they get transferred and registered for year end awards is if you do it yourself as the seller. Seems these awards are more important to us breeders than the owners. So, I always do it.

I do this as well, I do the transfers myself. Luckily my registry-of-choice also keeps the fees very reasonable for transfers. If it's a foal I do the USEF registration as well -- it is cheap for foals, and insures the information is correct.

It's surprising how many people don't bother with transferring ownership -- or they don't bother until they are ready to sell the horse themselves, and are struck with the realization they're not even the recorded owner.

I am actually surprised that stallion owners don't include registration in the semen contract ie that the stallion owner will pay for registration. You'd think it would benefit the stallion owner to have registered foals, but I've never seen it offered.

I can't speak for all stallion owners, but the registration fees are so high for some registries, and there is so much pressure on stallion owners to keep their fees low to stay competitive, paying for registration could really chip away at the bottom line, so I can see why many/most stallion owners don't offer. Although I agree it's a good idea! I pay for foals by my stallion to be registered, but again, my registry-of-choice is very reasonable about fees.

-Gigha