FAQ
Yes. You can submit your applications using the paper-based forms at an additional fee of €25 per application.
We encourage all breeders to use Horse Source for their registrations. Videos are available on the home page to walk you through how to use the new system. By using Horse Source
applications are processed faster with less room for error or delays.
We continue to accept cheques, postal orders, bank transfers and cash.
DNA testing can be the main delay factor. If a sample fails, the lab will test the sample again. This second test takes an additional 15 days for the lab to process. If the sample fails for a second time, a repeat sample will then be requested from the owner.
To avoid repeat samples, unnecessary delays and added costs, care must be taken to ensure that the collection of the hair sample is carried out in line with best practice guidelines. A minimum of 50 clean, intact hairs pulled from the root with the follicle/hair blub intact. Please ensure there is no soap or other residue on these hairs.
Care must also be taken to ensure that the correct animals DNA hair sample is added to the sample bag and that the correct sire and dam information is provided. When a sire or dam does not match on the DNA result it is reported as an ‘Exclusion’ from the laboratory and we will request an alternative animal to test against.
Exclusions can cause significant delays to the passport so take care to submit the correct information!
It is a legal requirement to transfer the ownership of equines with the relevant Passport Issuing Authority (PIO) within 30 days of acquiring ownership.
When a horse is sold the seller should give the passport to the buyer. The buyer should then complete the Transfer of ownership application on Horse Source.
For Non-HSI issued passports:
Horse Sport Ireland cannot process change of ownership requests for non-HSI passports unless the original passport issuing authority has already updated the passport.
If you realise that your horse is stamped out of the food chain on his passport but this doesn’t match the information on the Equine Chipchecker, please contact HSI to have the status updated, as this information should be matching, and is especially important if your horse is travelling.
Please note that for an equine to be stamped out of the food chain the medicinal page has to be dated and signed by a vet.
We no longer require covering certificates to issue a DNA marking kit.
We do still require covering certificates to issue the passport.
When you apply on Horse Source for your passport, you will see if the covering certificate has been applied for your mare. If it does not show, you can still submit your application by selecting the stallion but you should check with your stallion owner to ensure that it has been submitted.
Covering certificates should be declared by the stallion owner on Horse Source.
Naming applications can be completed online via Horse Source or, alternatively, by using the naming form available to download on Horse Source (be aware that for paper form applications there is an additional €25 fee for manual processing). Applications will only be processed once the passport and payment have been received.
Can a horse's name be changed?
- In most cases, a horse’s name can be changed. If your horse has a prefix that you would like to remove, we need permission from the prefix owner. We will make contact with the prefix owner when you submit the application to change the name.
- Mares and stallions that have progeny cannot have their names changed.
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a word (minimum of three letters) that an owner can purchase. This will give the owner sole use of that word in naming of all animals in the studbook. A horse named with a prefix cannot have their name altered unless permission is given by the prefix owner. If you are interested in purchasing a prefix, download the application form from Horse Source.
Why does the naming form require 4 name options?
- We require multiple name choices in the event that the name you have selected is already taken by another horse.
Horse Sport Ireland operate an urgent same day passport service for Naming, Change of Ownership, Non-pedigree passports and Endorsements only. Duplicates can also be processed for the same day service if the animal is already in your ownership.
To avail of this service, you must deliver your full application to the office before 11am on the day the passport is required. The fee for urgent applications is €150 in addition to the passport application fee. All urgent applications are subject to approval by Horse Sport Ireland for the same day service.
To register a new passport with no pedigree recorded, go to the ‘Passport Registration’ section on Horse Source and select ‘Passport Registration – Non-Pedigree’ from the drop-down menu.
Once you fill in the animal details and pay for your application, contact your vet. The Vet will have blank marking charts available to do the markings of your animal. The completed marking chart must be returned to HSI.
Important points to note:
All animals with no pedigree recorded must be named.
An animal will be excluded from the food chain if the passport is not issued within 365 days of birth.
Marking charts must be received within 6 months of markings being taken otherwise new marking charts are required.
How do I get a DNA marking Kit?
To receive a marking kit, select ‘Passport Registration – with Pedigree’ on Horse Source, fill in the details, and make a payment. We will then post the DNA marking kit to you.
What do I need to do with the DNA marking Kit?
Have your vet microchip your horse, complete the marking chart, and pull hair samples for DNA testing. Return these to Horse Sport Ireland.
Please note:
Only Irish Passport Issuing Authorities (PIO) Microchips are used to register your foal.
Marking charts must be received within 6 months of markings being taken otherwise new marking charts are required.
For registrations in Northern Ireland, only Full-Pedigree animals that are entered in a Studbook are eligible to have their progeny registered with Horse Sport Ireland.
If your passport has been lost, stolen or damaged, you can apply for a duplicate passport. The animal must have had a passport issued by HSI in order to request a duplicate.
To request a duplicate passport, get your vet to do new markings of your horse on a Horse Sport Ireland marking chart (your vet should have these) and complete the duplicate form. Send both into us and we can complete the duplicate.
We cannot issue a duplicate passport for animals resident in Great Britain. If you require a duplicate passport for an animal in Great Britain, please contact a UK based passport issuing authority.
I just bought a horse that didn't come with a passport, does he already have one?
Check your equine's details on the DAFM Equine Chip Checker here.
I wasn't the owner in the old passport. What happens now?
If you were not the registered owner of the horse, we will have to contact the registered owner to request permission for the duplicate passport to be released. The registered owner has ten days to respond.
Irish issued passports.
Stallions and mares with a passport issued by Weatherbys (Thoroughbreds), Connemara Pony Society, Leisure Horse Ireland and Warmblood Studbook of Ireland can be endorsed onto Horse Source for breeding purposes.
The ownership on the passport must be up to date with the issuing passport authority.
An endorsement can be completed on Horse Source and the passport sent into HSI.
Foreign issued passports.
A foreign issued passport endorsement can be completed on Horse Source and send the passport sent into HSI.
Stallion owners can submit cover certificates on Horse Source under the stallion tab.
If you cannot find your stallion on Horse Source or if you wish to add an agent to your stallion, please contact us at info@horsesportireland.ie.
For pedigree registrations:
• Processing Timeframe: Once we receive your completed marking chart and DNA samples, by post, processing generally takes 8 to 12 weeks. However, during high-application periods, it may extend beyond this range.
• Factors Influencing Processing Time:
o Application Volume: High volumes may extend processing times.
o Complete Information: Please ensure all required details are provided; missing information can delay processing.
o DNA Testing: DNA results typically take around 19 working days (approximately 4 weeks) if the sire and dam are already SNP DNA tested.
For other requests:
• Change of Ownerships, Namings, Non-Pedigree Registrations, Duplicates and Import Notifications and Endorsements: These typically take 2 to 4 weeks to process.
Note: Processing times begin only once we receive all necessary documents, including the marking chart and DNA samples. Delays can occur due to incomplete information or during periods of high application volume.
We recommend that all passports being posted to HSI come via registered/tracked post. HSI will not be responsible for lost post sent to us. If a passport or documents are lost in the post when sending them to us, it is the customer's responsibility to try and track their post.
Additionally, when posting passports from Great Britain, we recommend that customers confirm at their local post office that the correct fees for customs are paid for and that the envelope is labelled as containing “Horse documents. No commercial value.”
Microchip orders need to be placed to the email address: microchips@horsesportireland.ie.
Ensure that the mare is registered with Horse Sport Ireland already. You can check DAFMs Equine Chip Checker to see where the passport was registered here.
If the mare is not registered with us, apply for an Endorsement on Horse Source.
If the Mare is registered with HSI, search by the UELN number which you can find on the passport. If you still have issues get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help.
Horse Source is a simple, user-friendly online system, designed to reduce paperwork and bring the information that owners and breeders need into one place.
EU Legislation requires the owners of horses whose passport was originally issued by a Studbook/Passport Issuing Body (PIO) based in another Member State to have the passport details recorded by an appropriate PIO approved in the country in which the horse is now located.
This means that owners/keepers who import horses must notify an appropriate PIO based in Ireland within 30 days of importing the equine. This also applies to owners/keepers who import horses for competition purposes which will be located in Ireland. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that each Members State has a record of all of the equines located in their jurisdiction.
For FEI and athlete related information visit the HSI website https://www.horsesportireland.ie/team-ireland/fei-passports
MS DNA testing is no longer covered under the National Breeding Services funding. If the sire and/or dam is not SNP DNA tested, MS testing is required at an additional fee of €31.50 (ex VAT).
For more information on SNP and MS testing see our website at HSI DNA Parentage Testing.
By law, all equines in the EU are required to be identified with an identification document. Foal applications should be submitted to Horse Sport Ireland within 6 months of the date of birth of the animal to have a passport for that animal within the first 12 months.
Equines are excluded from the food chain where the identification document is not issued within 12 months of the date of birth or where applications are not made within six months from birth.
Passports issued by Horse Sport Ireland at all times remain the property of Horse Sport Ireland. Upon death or slaughter of any animal, the passport must be returned to Horse Sport Ireland.
If you plan to sell foals in sales, sufficient time must be given to allow for DNA testing and the production of the passport.
Submit correct information and samples at least 8-12 weeks before your sale date to avoid delays.
To avoid unnecessary delays, care must be taken to ensure that the information you have provided is correct and that the application is filled out in full.