Click here to download in .pdf format
Changes to IHSGB Studbook Rules to comply with FIZO 6/2006 and 7/2008 and agreed EU Directive
Rules for National Breeding and National Sports Shows accepted by IHSGB
1. BREEDING SHOWS
1.1 Breeding Shows shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of FEIF (FIZO). Any variation from FIZO must be specifically agreed by the trustees or such sub-committee appointed by the trustees for the purpose and such variation must be explicitly stated in the Show application and schedule (if a schedule is published).
1.2 The Society will only accept a Breeding Assessment as valid if it has been conducted by a minimum of 2 judges. Both of these judges must be current FEIF International judges. Any additional judge may be at least an accredited National judge from a FEIF member association.
RULES FOR THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF IHSGB SPORTS AND BREEDING TEAMS
1. SPORTS TEAM
1.1 The Sports Team shall consist of the Sports Leader and 3 members of the Society, who should not be Trustees.
1.2 A Quorum shall consist of Sports Leader +1 or all 3 ordinary members.
1.3 The Sports Leader shall provide a quarterly report on current issues to the Trustees.
1.4 The Sports Team shall consider, consult with the membership and make recommendations to the Trustees on the following matters:
· Proposed changes to FIPO
· All other Sports matters raised by FEIF or for onward consideration by FEIF
· Representation at and IHSGB position on agenda items for, FEIF Sports meetings.
· Rules for Eligibility and Selection of World Championship teams, Team Leaders, Judges, Officials and others representing United Kingdom and/or IHSGB.
· Rules for Eligibility of horses and/or riders at IHSGB Sports Events. This includes eligibility to enter the show and eligibility to enter specific classes.
· Rules for the conduct of classes at IHSGB Sports events including but not limited to the number of judges required, qualification of judges, other officials required and the requirements of each class e.g. gaits required to be shown.
· Rules for any other Sports matter, including but not limited to the conduct and discipline of riders, officials, judges, grooms, and others whilst attending IHSGB events or representing IHSGB and/or United Kingdom.
· Guidelines, other that as stated in FIPO, for Show Organisers on the organisation and arrangements of Icelandic Horse Sport Competitions.
· Rules for the Training and competency of UK Sports Judges and other Officials
· All Sports matters raised by members of IHSGB.
· Any other matter directed by the Trustees or considered necessary by the Sports Leader.
1.5 Having considered each matter, the Sports Team shall consult the membership via the IHSGB Newsletter. It is however accepted that matters may arise that require swift resolution and in such cases the Sports Team shall consult as is practicable.
1.6 Having consulted the membership, the Sports Team shall consider the views expressed and make recommendations to the Trustees. If an IHSGB Rule needs to be amended or created, this recommendation must go before meeting of the Trustees. If no such amendment or creation is required, agreement of the Trustees may be by e-mail or other such traceable means.
2. BREEDING TEAM
2.1 The Breeding Team shall consist of the Breeding Leader and at least 3 other members of the Society, the majority of whom should not be Trustees.
2.2 A Quorum shall consist of Breeding Leader +2 .
2.3 The Breeding Leader shall provide a quarterly progress report on current issues to the Trustees.
2.4 The Breeding Team shall consider, consult with the membership and make recommendations to the Trustees on the following matters:
· Proposed changes to FIZO
· All other Breeding matters raised by FEIF or for onward consideration by FEIF
· Representation at and IHSGB position on agenda items for, FEIF Breeding meetings.
· Rules for Eligibility and Selection of World Championship teams and Team Leaders, Judges, Officials and others representing United Kingdom and/or IHSGB.
· Rules for Eligibility of horses and/or riders at IHSGB Breeding Assessments.
· Rules for the conduct of IHSGB Breeding Assessments including but not limited to the number of judges required, qualification of judges, other officials required and other variations allowed for National shows as directed in FIZO.
· Rules for any other Breeding matter, including but not limited to the conduct and discipline of riders, officials, judges, grooms, and others whilst attending IHSGB events or representing IHSGB and/or United Kingdom.
· Guidelines, other than as stated in FIZO, for Breeding Assessment Organisers on the organisation and arrangements for Icelandic Horse Breeding Assessments.
· Rules for the Training and Competency of UK Breeding Judges and other Officials.
· Rules for operation of the stud book office, services provided and fees charged.
· All Breeding matters raised by members of IHSGB.
· Any other matter directed by the Trustees or considered necessary by the Breeding Leader.
2.5 Having considered each matter, the Breeding Team shall consult the membership via the IHSGB Newsletter. It is however accepted that matters may arise that require swift resolution and in such cases the Breeding Team shall consult as is practicable.
2.6 Having consulted the membership, the Breeding Team shall consider the views expressed and make recommendations to the Trustees. If an IHSGB Rule needs to be amended or created, this recommendation must go before meeting of the Trustees. If no such amendment or creation is required, agreement of the Trustees may be by e-mail or other such traceable means.
Studbook Rules
1. Authoritative statement in accordance with the objects of the IHSGB
1.1 IHSGB Ltd (hereinafter referred to as 'the Society') shall, in accordance with object 3.3 of its Memorandum of Association, maintain a record of the breeding and registration of all purebred Icelandic horses in United Kingdom. This document sets down the rules, which regulate the registration of Icelandic horses by the Society, and is called "The Icelandic Horse Society ofGreat Britain, Rules for Registration of Icelandic Horses" (hereinafter referred to as 'The Studbook Rules').
1.2 The expression 'pure-bred Icelandic horse’ means a horse, which is the progeny of stock, which owe their ultimate ancestral origin solely to horses born in Iceland.
1.3 Questions or disputes over interpretation shall be referred to the Studbook Officer. If a member is not satisfied with the decision of the Studbook Officer, he/she may apply to the Trustees for a ruling, which shall be binding.
1.4 Members are required, not only to follow the letter of the Studbook Rules, but also their spirit in ensuring the integrity of pure breeding of Icelandic horses in the United Kingdom.
1.5 In order to comply with Commission Decision 92/353/EEC the Society declares that there will be no discrimination between members of the Society.
1.6 Every member of the Society undertakes by membership of the Society to register with the Society all purebred Icelandic horses owned by that member (or under his control) and which are in the United Kingdom and satisfy the requirements of the Rules. Members may register purebred Icelandic horses owned by them and located outside of the United Kingdom. Members may register their horses with more than one equestrian organisation but must comply with the Horse Passport Regulations and only hold one passport for each horse.
1.7 Non-members may register horses with the Society upon payment of a premium, as decided by the Trustees.
1.8 The Society declares that The Studbook Rules and the maintenance of the studbook shall be in accordance with the principles laid down by the International Federation of Icelandic-Horse Associations (FEIF).
1.9 The Society is bound to comply with the Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2004 and analogous legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. The Society is bound by legislation passed by the European Union. Nothing in these rules shall over ride such legislation. The Society shall also comply with amendments and interpretations on such legislation notified to it by HM Government and will advise members as soon as practicable.
2. Registration of Horses
2.1 The Society recognises that when Icelandic horses were first imported into the United Kingdom, there was no national or state registration system available for Icelandic horses in the United Kingdom. In respect of applications to register horses submitted prior to 1st January, 1989, the Society retains discretion as to how it satisfied itself that a horse is pure-bred, taking into account all circumstances and evidence. With effect from 1st January 1989 a horse is only be considered to be pure-bred and thus eligible for registration with the Society if it satisfies at least one of the following categories: -
a) The Horse is registered with another FEIF affiliated organization or an organization recognized under Commission Decision 92/353/EEC AND certificate of registration.
b) The Horse is born in The United Kingdom and both parents of the Horse are registered with the Society or are registered with another FEIF affiliated organization or an organization recognized under Commission Decision 92/353/EEC AND the certificates of registration.
c) If neither requirement for a) or b) is fulfilled, proof of pedigree must be provided allowing all elements of the pedigree of the horse in question to be traced to horses born in Iceland.
2.2 Confirmation of parentage
For the protection of its members, the Society reserves the right to confirm the pedigree of any horse by use of DNA evidence and declares the following:
Where there are reasonable grounds to doubt the pedigree of a horse, the Society may require that the horse’s pedigree be investigated by 3-way DNA analysis. Such investigation shall be paid for by the Society. Following such investigation, if the committee of the Society is not satisfied that a horse is pure-bred, the horse shall be removed from the Studbook and the owner is liable to pay the Society’s costs. Any owner found by the committee of the Society to have deliberately made a false entry on an application to register a horse shall be expelled from the Society (see Article 2.5)If an owner wishes to prove the pedigree of a particular horse this may be carried out by presenting the results of 3-way DNA analysis to the Studbook Officer. In this instance no costs will accrue to the Society.
2.2. 1- All stallions presented for breeding assessment must have proof of parentage by three way DNA.
2.3 Visiting Stallions
A stallion temporarily located in The United Kingdom for the purpose of serving mares for a period not exceeding six months does not require to be registered, but the owner, or the person responsible for the said stallion shall submit to the Studbook Office such papers as would have been required under these Rules to register the horse. In addition a Stallion Serving record shall be provided to the Society before the end of the calendar year. Failure to comply with this Rule will render the progeny of that stallion born as a result of that period of service in The United Kingdom unregisterable until such time as proof of parentage has been submitted and the member will lose any members discount
3 Requirements for Registration
A Horse, which satisfies one or more of the requirements stated at 2.1 a, b or c is accepted as a purebred Horse. In addition owners must comply with the following sections as appropriate:
3.1 All Horses registered before 1996
3.2 All Horses imported into The United Kingdom since 1996
3.3 All Horses born in The United Kingdom since 1996
3.4 All Horses born outside The United Kingdom.
4. Stallions
5. Mares and Foals
6. Identification of Horses
7. Registration Procedures to be followed by members and the Stud Book Office of IHSGB Ltd
3.1 All horses registered before 1996
A Horse registered with the Society before 1996 is required to be individually marked as specified
in Section 6 of The Rules if it is: -
i) A Stallion used for breeding.
ii) A Mare put to the stallion.
iii) Presented for Breeding Assessment.
In the anticipated event of any of i) ii) or iii) the Horse must be individually marked, BEFORE the actual event. Failure to do so may make subsequent progeny unregisterable or the Breeding Assessment invalid.
3.2 Horses Imported into The United Kingdom since 1996
A Horse imported into The United Kingdom and fulfilling the requirements of Section 2.1 of these Rules shall be accepted into the register of IHSGB as a purebred Horse providing that
a) The owner who imported the horse or the member having control of the horse on arrival in The United Kingdom, shall apply to the Studbook Office no later than 30 days from the date of importation. The owner who imported the horse or the member having control of the horse may apply for one extension of three months where it is reasonably expected that the horse will be exported from The United Kingdom within that time. The Studbook Officer shall have sole discretion in considering the reasonableness of any such application for an extension.
b) A horse that has been imported for longer than three months upon application for registration and satisfies the requirements of Section 2.1 may be accepted into the register, at the discretion of the Trustees, upon payment of an additional premium equal to 50% of the standard registration fee.
c) The Horse is individually marked before import or has been individually marked since import, in accordance with a method approval by the Society (see section 6).
d) The owner must provide to the Studbook Office a copy of the registration certificate or Passport from the competent Authority, a completed Application to Register an Icelandic Horse form and the registration fee as determined by the Trustees.
e) If the horse does not have a Passport on entry to the United Kingdom., the owner of the horse must apply for registration and a Passport within 30 days of entry.
3.3 Horses born in The United Kingdom since 1996
When a Horse is born in The United Kingdom the mare owner shall notify the Studbook Office in accordance with Section 7.4 not later than the end of the calendar year of its birth or 6 months whichever is the later.. The date of foaling must align with a Stallion Serving Record supplied in the previous year by the stallion owner. Failure to comply with these conditions will render a requirement for proof of parentage by DNA analysis. Full Registration, however, shall not be granted until the Horse has been marked as specified in Section 6 of The Rules. If the conditions for registration cannot be met at this point, a passport may be issued but will be entered into a lower section of the studbook. Such horses will be denoted by the use of the Area of Birth code "99”. When the horse has been marked iaw Section 6 an additional charge shall be levied on completion of Full registration.
3.4 Horses born outside the United Kingdom
Members may register pure-bred Icelandic horses born outside of the United Kingdom. The owner must provide a Stallion Serving certificate signed by the Stallion owner in the year of service. The owner must provide an application to register/foaling certificate before the end of the year of birth. Failure to comply with these conditions will render a requirement proof of parentage by DNA analysis.
4. Stallions
4.1 Progeny of Stallions born since 1992
Before progeny of any stallion born in the United Kingdom since 1992 can be registered, the Studbook Office must receive a Certificate issued by a Veterinary Surgeon qualified to practice in The United Kingdom. This must certify that the stallion does not suffer from any congenital defect, which is likely to affect the performance by that horse of basic functions such as sight, mastication, support, locomotion and reproduction. This certificate should be received by the Studbook Office prior to the stallion serving any mares and certainly prior to receipt of the stallions first annual serving certificate. Progeny from stallions that do not receive a satisfactory certification may still be registered as pure-bred Icelandic horses, but will be placed in a separate section of the Studbook denoted by the Area of Birth Code ‘99’ and will not be eligible to represent the Society in any International Competition. Registration will be at twice the non member rate. (See Section 7.6.4)
4.2 Stallions used for breeding in The United Kingdom from 2001
All Stallions used for breeding from 1 January 2001 must have a sample of DNA material taken. This sample must be forwarded to the Studbook Office, not later than the end of the calendar year of first service, together with any fee as decided by the Trustees. The Studbook Officer shall arrange for a laboratory test and report. A Copy of the DNA profile will be returned to the stallion owner and a copy kept for Society records.
4.3 Stallions born since 2003
4.3.1 All stallions born in the year 2003 and thereafter, must have proof of parentage by DNA analysis. Samples of DNA material of DNA material must be obtained from colt, father and mother. This sample must be forwarded to the Studbook Office, preferably before but not later than the end of the calendar year of first service, together with any fee as decided by the Trustees. The Studbook Officer shall arrange for a laboratory test and report. A Copy of the DNA profile will be returned to the stallion owner and a copy kept for Society records.
4.3.2 In situations where it is not possible to provide proof of parentage, the stallion owner may apply to the Trustees for a dispensation. The Trustees may request a ruling from FEIF.
4.3.3 Failure to comply will lead to any progeny from the stallion may still be registered as pure-bred Icelandic horses, but will be placed in a separate section of the Studbook denoted by the Area of Birth Code ‘99’ and will not be eligible to represent the Society in any International Competition. Registration will be at twice the non member rate. (See Section 7.6.4) Half of the additional fee will be returned on receipt of the DNA proof.
5. Mares and Foals
5.1 DNA samples must be taken from all Foals born in the year 2003 and thereafter, and also from their mothers (if no such sample is already held). These samples must be forwarded to the Studbook Office. These samples will be stored for use should any query be raised on the pedigree of a horse or to comply with any other Society Studbook rule. A fee will only be payable if the sample is processed by a laboratory. These samples form part of the registration requirements detailed at Section 7.4.
5.2 The fee to register a new born foal will depend on breeding assessment marks awarded to the parents. Such awards must be attained at Breeding Assessments approved by the Trustees. For the purposes of this rule a minimum standard will be declared by the Trustees annually.
5.3 A foal from a mating between parents who have both been assessed up to the required standard will carry a discount, as determined by the trustees.
5.4 The fee to register a new foal from a mating between one assessed parent up to the required standard and one not assessed parent (or parent assessed to be below the required standard) will carry no discount.
5.5 The fee to register a foal from a mating when neither parent has been assessed to the required standard will carry a surcharge to be decided by the Breeding Team and ratified by the trustees.
5.6 For the purposes of this rule the assessment may be for conformation only.
6. Identification of Horses
6.1 Icelandic Horses as specified in Section 2 of The Rules shall be marked in accordance with at least one of the following systems:
i) Freeze Branding
ii) Micro Chipping
Microchipping is mandatory for all horses born in 2009 onwards.
6.2 The following horses shall be exempt from individual marking: -
a) An imported horse, born not later than 2008 which on import is already uniquely identified by a Scheme not specified in Section 6.1, but which the Society approves by majority vote of the Trustees in respect of that particular horse and on the merits of that particular case. Such approval shall not be deemed to set a precedent and each such application shall be considered on its own merits.
6.3 In the event of failure to comply with The Rules, the horse shall not be registered by the Society, or in the case of a registered horse, such registration shall be suspended. The owner of a horse that has not met the requirements of The Rules may apply to the Trustees for special dispensation by the Society to have the horse marked by an Approved Scheme and registered retrospectively or to have its suspension lifted. The Trustees shall only grant by majority vote such approval where it is satisfied that there was no attempt to unreasonably avoid the application of The Rules without good cause and where it is reasonable to grant such dispensation. In such circumstances the Trustees may at its discretion call for such verification of identity of the horse, as it deems necessary. In the event that dispensation is granted, the owner shall be liable for the entire cost of complying with The Rules. Further, an additional sum equivalent to the full registration fee will be payable to the Society, at the discretion of the Trustees.
7. Registration procedures to be followed by members and the Stud
Book Office of IHSGB Ltd
This section covers the registration process, including serving, foaling, marking, gelding and registration. It also covers regulations regarding the naming of horses and studs and the Stud Book number/s issued to the horse by the Society.
7.1 Serving
7.1.1 The Studbook Officer shall provide each member that has a male horse registered as entire in its second year, and meets the requirements as specified in Section 4, with a Stallion Serving Record. The stallion owner or keeper shall maintain this Stallion Service Record for each of his stallions recording the mares served by each stallion. Before the end of each calendar year the stallion owner or keeper shall submit the Stallion Service Record for each of his stallions to the Studbook Office.
7.1.2 If the male horse is not used as a stallion and/or has been gelded, the member shall return the Stallion Serving Record to the Studbook Office, annotated accordingly.
7.1.3 In the event that the owner of the stallion is not a member of the Society, the member having control or responsibility for the stallion shall fulfill the obligations of the owner under these Rules.
7.1.4 The Studbook Officer shall make available to the stallion owner copies of the ‘Serving and Foaling Certificate’.
7.1.5 When a mare is served, the stallion owner shall complete the Serving and Foaling Certificate to certify that his stallion on the date/s served the mare named and hands the form to the mare owner.
7.2 Artificial Insemination
The stallion owner shall complete a Serving and Foaling Certificate amended to certify that semen was collected from the stallion named on the form and transferred into the control of the owner of the mare. A veterinary certificate shall be sufficient evidence that the mare was inseminated and the date of the insemination shall be recorded. Both documents shall be forwarded to the Studbook Office.
7.3 Foaling
7.3.1 When the mare foals, or the outcome of the service is otherwise determined, the owner of the mare, or the person in possession of the mare on loan at the date of the foal's birth, shall complete the Serving and Foaling Certificate and forward it to the Studbook Office together with the Registration fee, as determined by the Trustees in accordance with Section 7.4 - Requirements for Registration.
7.3.2 In the case of a foal born in The United Kingdom to a mare served abroad by a stallion registered with another FEIF affiliated Society or an organization recognized under Commission Decision 92/353/EEC, the mare owner must obtain either a serving certificate issued by the recognized authority in that country or require the stallion owner to complete the IHSGB Serving and Foaling Certificate.
7.4 Requirements for Registration
7.4.1 The owner of the horse must submit a written application for registration before the end of the calendar year of birth or 6 months after birth, whichever is the later. This application must include:
a) The completed Serving and Foaling Certificate.
b) The completed Description form. This should be completed by a veterinary surgeon; if completed by the owner the description must include at least three whorls plus significant markings.
c) A microchip number, preferably with a detachable bar code for use in the passport.
d) Name to be given to the horse.
e) Stud name requested.
f) Sample of DNA material (hair follicles) from the foal and from the mother if not previously forwarded and already held by the Society.
g) DNA sample reference numbers from Sample bags.
h) The registration fee.
7.4.2 If a member fails to comply with all the requirements registration may still be granted and a passport issued (subject to compliance with the statutory requirements) but an additional premium will be required. Part of the additional premium will be refunded once all the requirements have been met. The premiums will be reviewed by the Breeding Team and ratified by the Trustees.
7.5 Naming
7.5.1 to retain the character of the Icelandic horse, members should use an Icelandic name when registering a horse.
7.5.2 The Studbook Officer may at his discretion refuse to register any name of a horse, which is unacceptable, or any location as a stud name, which is inappropriate.
7.5.3 a horse name may be changed, but its original name must also be included on the Passport.
7.5.4 the applicant must designate the stud name from which the horse originated. This name should be the name of the place or area in which the horse is foaled. The Studbook Officer will advise if the Stud name chosen is not available. Stud names are issued to owners and are not transferable. An owner may have more than one stud name. In the case of a partnership, where such partnership is dissolved, the partners must agree whether the stud is to be retained by one partner or cease to be used. The partners must advise the Studbook Officer accordingly.
7.5.5 Should a member purchase the property of a vendor that historically has a Stud name attached to it, or wishes to use a generic area stud name that has already been allocated, then the new breeder shall be offered the stud name with a suffix “2” e.g. “Butterworth 2” or “Newbury 2”.
7.5.6 when a breeder anticipates that the horse’s location is not permanent, then the name of the area should be chosen.
7.5.7 Following the Icelandic tradition a horse shall be known as being ‘from’ followed by the stud name location, except as specified in 7.5.8 Generic names such as “Farm” and adjectives such as “White” are not normally ermitted as in stud names.
Example-
A horse foaled at Butterworth Farm would be known as ‘X from Butterworth’.
A horse foaled near the town of Newbury could be known as “Y from Newbury”
If a horse was foaled on, for example, rented grazing the location of which varies from year to year, then the name of the nearest town or surrounding area should be used.
7.5.8 Names and locations of horses registered with a FEIF affiliated Society, or organization recognized under Commission Decision 92/353/EEC satisfy these requirements.
7.6 Unique Equine Life Number
7.6.1 In accordance with European commission Decision 93/623/EEC each horse is allocated a unique life identification number. The Society allocates life numbers for horses born in The United Kingdom, in accordance with the protocols in operation by FEIF.
7.6.2 this identification number shall denote
a) Great Britain as the country of registration
b) Year of Birth
c) Sex of the horse
d) Area of Birth (since 2002)
e) Individual Horse Number
IHSGB may also prefix the FEIF ID by the designator approved to the EU viz. 826032
7.6.3 The Society may issue EU Passports in respect of horses born in countries other than the United Kingdom. The Society shall allocate a UELN in accordance with either:
a) The FEIF ID issued by the country of birth, or
b) The European Union preferred format. This includes a prefix denoting the Society viz. 826032
7.6.4 Progeny of stallions that do not receive satisfactory certification of veterinary health (see 4.1) will be entered into a lower section of the studbook. Such horses will be denoted by the use of the Area of Birth code "99”.
7.7 Gelding
If any male horse, which has been registered as entire, has subsequently been gelded, the Studbook Office must be notified in writing immediately, giving the date on which the horse was gelded.
7.8 Transfer of Ownership
The Vendor shall complete a Transfer of Ownership and give it and the Passport to the buyer. The new owner shall, within 28 days of the purchase, submit the Transfer of Ownership form and the Equine Passport to the Studbook Office, together with the Transfer of Ownership fee, as determined by the Trustees. The Studbook Officer shall amend the Society records and Passport and return it to the new owner. Where the Passport was issued by an organization other than IHSGB, the Studbook Office will ensure that the Passport Issuing Organisation is informed of the ownership change.
7.9 Death of the horse
On the death of a registered horse, the owner must forward the horse's Passport to the Studbook Office, together with the date of death. The Studbook Office will record the death of the horse in all appropriate databases and return the passport if requested.
7.10 Export of the horse
The Horse Passport Regulations require that on the proposed export of a registered horse, the owner should send the passport to the Studbook Office, prior to export. The Studbook Office will annotate the relevant sections of the Passport and return to the owner. Until further notice HM Government do not intend to apply this requirement. Unless otherwise notified, exporters should notify the studbook office of the export. Such notification must be traceable e.g. letter, email, fax. The Studbook Office will record the movement of the horse in all appropriate databases.
Health Control of Breeding Animals from 2009
8.1 Breeding Shows
At Breeding shows recognised by the Society there shall be a general health examination for all horses and some additional checks for stallions.
Every breeding horse that enters a breeding show must be presented for and pass a veterinary examination prior to commencing the assessment. The aim of the veterinary control is to encourage that only healthy horses are presented at breeding shows and consequently used for breeding. If a horse appears to the veterinary surgeon to be unfit to be shown (lameness, lack of fitness, doping etc.), the horse will be excluded. The Chief judge may call for a further veterinary examination at any time during the presentation.
8.1.1 General health control for all horses
The health control includes: The feeding standard, teeth and oral status, auscultation of heart and lungs, examination of the skin, lameness evaluation and palpation of the distal limbs.
8.1.2 Additional health control for stallions
For stallions, additional health checks are required for defects to the testicles.
Testicles:
Testicles are to be palpated and measured. The size of the testicles (scrotal width) is measured and in the case of visible difference in the size of the testicles, they are measured separately. Torsion of the testicles is noted as well as abnormalities in the consistency of the testicles.
The presence of cryptorchidism (abdominal retention or inguinal retention), scrotal width with less than 8 cm and difference in the testicle size (mm3) which is equal or more than 50 % is regarded as unsound.
8.2 Stallion to be X-rayed for Bone Spavin prior to its first Breeding Assessment:
Radiographic examination of the distal tarsus is required for stallions before entering the first breeding show after attaining the age of 5 years.
a) The examination must take place in the same calendar year as the Breeding Assessment.
b) A complete radiographic examination is requested including four different projections of each hock.
c) The radiographs must be sent to the Breeding Leader prior to the date of the Breeding Assessment, together with the service charge, as notified by the Trustees.
d) The radiographs will be forwarded by the Society to an approved specialist.
e) Information about the radiographic diagnosis will not be released until after the Breeding Assessment and will be recorded in World Fengur for information for the breeders.
8.3 Stallions DNA
All stallions presented for assessment must have proof of parentage by three way DNA analysis.
9. Amendments
Any member may propose an amendment to The Rules at a General Meeting provided a written proposal has been sent to both the Secretary and the Breeding Leader in time for inclusion in the agenda. The amendment shall be incorporated into these Rules if it is approved by the General Meeting, provided that not less than two thirds of the members present shall have voted in favour of the alteration and that details of all proposed alterations have been included in the notice of the meeting sent to all members.
