A breed registry is an organization that keeps official records (studbooks) of horses belonging to a specific breed. Registries establish breed standards, register foals, maintain pedigrees, sponsor competitions, and often provide educational resources.
Stock Horse Registries:
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
American Paint Horse Association (APHA)
Appaloosa Horse Club
Thoroughbred Registries – The Jockey Club
Arabian Horse Association
American Morgan Horse Association
American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association
Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association
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Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association
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Icelandic Horses
International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations
Koninklijke Vereniging Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (Friesians)
Warmblood Registries
American Hanoverian Society
American Holsteiner Horse Association
Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society
Westfalen Verband
American Belgian Draft Horse Corporation
Percheron Horse Association of America
American Shire Horse Association
Clydesdale Breeders of the USA
American Shetland Pony Club
Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America
American Miniature Horse Association
American Miniature Horse Registry
United States Lusitano Association
International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association
Mustang Heritage Foundation
Gypsy Vanner Horse Society
North American Haflinger Registry
Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry
American Bashkir Curly Registry
Rocky Mountain Horse Association
Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association
Paso Fino Horse Association
National Snaffle Bit Association (Performance organization, not a breed registry)
Important Note:
Despite the name, the NSBA is not a breed registry. It sanctions competitions and classes for multiple breeds.
Color Registries – These organizations register horses based primarily on coat color or pattern rather than breed.
Palomino Horse Breeders of America
Buckskin Horse Association
International Governing Bodies (Not Breed Registries)
These organizations oversee competitions rather than breed registration.
- Fédération Équestre Internationale – International governing body for equestrian sport.
- United States Equestrian Federation – National governing body for many equestrian disciplines in the United States.
- United States Eventing Association – Governs eventing in the U.S.
- United States Dressage Federation – Supports dressage education and competition.
- National Reining Horse Association – Governs the sport of reining.
- National Cutting Horse Association – Governs cutting competitions.