First.. .I have pulled out a big spoon with this post and it is based on curiousty from people contacting me having issues with AQHA (DNA results) and posts I have noticed on FB.

Specifically, people are having DNA tests on the foals or older horses and getting information back from AQHA that the dam is NOT actually the dam of the foal and/or horse or the grand dam, etc . . whatever the issue is.. 

Then people are having issues getting their AQHA papers corrected to show the correct dam (or whatever).  I see a huge problem here.  If the DNA of the actual dam is on file - why can't AQHA correct the papers?  This is a huge database mess.

If this is an older horse (I have noticed a couple that were 5 y/os).  They could have a competition record.  Which that will effect Equistat databases, etc. 

Personally, I have not had this issue, but I am not surprised this issue has come up. 

Thoughts?  Comments?  I'm curious about people's thoughts on this.  I'm sure some people on here may have personal experience with this.      

I have very little faith in the AQHA DNA testing system.

AQHA is a poor excuse of an organization. I could go on all day long about problems I’ve had and the hoops I had to jump through to get stuff done and how many times I’ve been lied to. Currently waiting on papers for a colt I bought that previous owner has been dealing with AQHA for several months trying to get straight! It’s absolutely ridiculous!

Same here.

I have 2 yearlings still waiting to get registered. One of them is a filly that was born here and raised. She was naturally bred, and after we called AQHA asking about fees. The lady was really nice. She told us because she was a filly and bred naturally we didn't have to pay for a DNA test. We sent a check with the registration fee. That was back in late April/Early May. I called again yesterday asking about an update and another lady tells us that she does have to get DNA test because she will be racing. Luckily, I was able to pay online.

As for the other yearling (Gelding) we bought him about a month ago. The previous owners told us that he is still in the process of registration (was 'registered' March). He is still waiting for his DNA test.

I had a major problem over the white face markings. The DNA test matched but the white markings did not. I bought this horse as a weanling and the breeder usually has about 20 babies to register. He just made a mistake. AQHA kept telling me I had the wrong horse. I kept telling them a mistake had been made on the markings and I pulled the DNA. 

Also had a major problem with AQHA over an incident at an AQHA show. My horse ran in barrels. They called out a time then called my trainer to the holding pen. They said the timer malfunctioned. AQHA rules require two timers. There was only one. They told my trainer that she would have to run again. She had to run another horse. She ran mine before she even caught her breath. When my trainer had a chance to ask what happened some woman who was sitting in the announer's stand said she had cut off the timer. Hmm, why did they call out a time?  The entire show management got very defensive about every question that we asked, actually rude. I called AQHA and told them what happened. They said write them. I did. Never heard ONE word from AQHA. Got a letter from Dixie Nationals and the said AQHA thought they handled it properly. Apparently,  I am not the only person that has had a problem at Dixie Nationals. There used to be 400 entries in the barrel race. The year we went they had 40. AQHA rules are for YOU to follow not for AQHA to follow. Funny thing, no one in the building watching could understand why the horse had to run a second time. Everyone said her second run was very impressive but nothing like the first run. These AQHA are going to do exactly as they please and you have no recourse v

I had my one colt last year that I finally sent in the registration last year. I pulled the dam's DNA and sent it off because one person/form said I had to, but another person/form said I didn't. Either way, I sent off the dam's hair, I contacted someone at AQHA about 2 weeks  later, played stupid and said I wasn't familiar with the process. They said they had the colts registration papers, just waiting on the DNA results. They matched the dam's DNA results with the colt's papers and sent his papers to me. The only thing odd was that about 2 weeks later, I got a letter in the mail saying his papers were held up because they were waiting on the results of the DNA test before they could be issued...as I'm staring at said colt's papers in my hands. And the letter was dated AFTER his issue date on his papers, btw.

I don't think the left hand knows what the right hand was doing. 

I feel like, as long as you send in paperwork following the rules on the forms or the outline on the website, you'll seem to get by with little issues. If you call and speak with someone and follow their guidance, you'll have all sorts of issues. I gave up talking to anyone there, Staff always changed and I swear they didn't even know their own regulations.

Very sad. People pay a lot for horses thinking they have AQHA papers (on the older horses) and then try to breed later (whether it be a mare or stallion), only to discover their investment is no longer registered because of a DNA issue and there doesn't seem to be any recourse to get that information corrected.  What a mess.  Seems like AQHA would want to get the "record" (DNA straight) and have accurate data.  I know for a fact the horse owners being put in this situation would love to have their AQHA papers mean something.  Some of the people that have visited with me about this issue have paid $20k and up and now have a "grade" horse.  

I am very confused that AQHA will not work with people to get the AQHA Records corrected and accurate.  This seems to be a fairly common issue and no real reacourse for the horse owner.  

AQHA needs to start hiring better folks to work in the office and definitely hire "horse' folks that understand.    I have no idea what they pay but i think they are getting what they pay for

My problem was small. The markings on the face were wrong. I called AQHA, the breeder called AQHA. Every time I called I got the exact same response--I had the wrong horse. I pulled the hair and the DNA matched. The breeder was very cooperative and he told more than once it was straightened out. I never heard one word from AQHA so I called. Got the same story. The last time I called they said that the registration process had to be started all over. I called breeder. He called AQHA and they told him that everything had been corrected and papers had been mailed the day before. I had the papers the next day. Question:  why did they hassle me if papers had already been mailed?  

Example Two:  my mail is not very efficient and I didn't get my registration papers for months. I called because I thought they might have been put in the wrong box. They couldn't tell me what the hold up was. The third time I called, I got a very helpful person. (Revelations). She spent about 3 minutes completing the papers. I had them 3 days later. I think they are so inefficient that they lie to cover up. 

Sorry but I got a chuckle out of your post, It made me think of all the people that didn't get tested for the covid but yet got a letter in the mail telling them that their test results were positive. LOL

The farm we work for registers 8-10 foals per year. We've never had an issue with DNA or getting the foals registered.  Maybe we're just lucky! 

AQHA is all about the $$$$ the more they run you in circles the more fees they can charge you.

Sadly, I agree. I do think AQHA has started to care more about the money than their clients (and horses).

Now that racetracks are "shutting down" due to Covid-19, it seems like more owners are interested in the illegal side of horse racing. More drugged and dead horses. AQHA seems to care less.

I know this is an old post but I was searching online for Information and this post came up so I thought I'd comment. 

We recently purchased a young stallion just turned 5 sent in his DNA/Panel Test and yesterday AQHA informed me the sire listed is NOT his sire.  I had to pay $100 for AQHA to start an investigation they are sending breeder email & snail mail hoping for a response.  I found her on Facebook sent her a message hasn't replied, found a cell number texted it no response.  She's on Instagram too sent message no response.  I also found her address so may have to make a road trip.  All AQHA needs from her is a list of any other stallions that could of bred the dam.  My research also found she owns Sires/Sire and Dams/Sire.  I'm hoping it was a simple mistake.  AQHA still works in the dark ages I asked if they can check for any other stallions she owns and they said not without her permission ??... I found the information easily.  And she would have to fill out a new Stallion Report with the correct stallion.  I can't comment on her Facebook but I can see she posts and can only "like or share" her posts.  I sure hope she responds or else I'm in a pickle.  AQHA even said they may be able to get the lab to link to probable Stallions but breeder will still have to acknowledge the breeding.  Oh and I found her brother and son on Facebook messaged them too.. alas no responses from anyone.. we did not purchase him from breeder so it's not the sellers fault. If this isn't rectified AQHA wants his papers returned to them. 

This is the next to last dilemma with AQHA. The last one is too long to type. Got a joint membership in January of 2020 to transfer several horses into because I am old and try to keep business straight.   Never got a membership card. Called four times. They said it would be mailed immediately. I am not the primary in the membership. My trainer never got a JOURNAL. I called in December of 2020 and they said they would mail it immediately. My trainer finally got the membership card in March of this year and it was expired. At least we got a good laugh. 

On your problem:  if an owner does live cover of his own horses, on their farm, they don't have to DNA the horse to register it. I have a neighbor that does not have the DNA done on any of his foals. He only has one stallion. I am sure that is what happened to your horse. I would at least think they would be courteous enough to help you. Here is my suggestion. Get a lawyer to write a letter to the breeder and ask them to please resolve the issue so you don't have to take legal action. Lawyers know what to say. It may cost you $100 but will be worth it. 

DNA has been required for some time now, no matter how it's done Live, AI or embryo in order to register that foal both parents must have DNA on file  - both parents have to be DNA'd in order for most breeds now to register the foals.  Foals are not required to be DNA'd unless they are going through a highly rated registered sale like Heritage Sale they must be parentage verified.   I'm sure your neighbors breeding horses are all DNA'd. 

The breeder messaged me back on FB and is willing to help, she gave me a name of a probable sire.  LAB is now running DNA with this stud included.  I just for the life of me don't understand why anyone would be so irresponsible with multiple studs in the herd and it still could of been a young colt then we're screwed.  

After dealing with the Jockey Club, AQHA is awful!  I know it's apples to oranges, kinda, but you can call JC and speak directly to a human that can help solve your problem.  No sitting on hold, being sent from person to person, more sitting on hold, only to find out it will be months before they can get you paperwork corrected.

I lost my microchip that came with my TB fillys foal package, called JC, a human answered, looked up my info and said they would send me a new one,  it was in my mailbox 3 days later.  vs.  AQHA thought LA on the state foaled meant Los Angeles (I guess) and put that the state my QH filly was foaled in was CA.  It took three sets of new papers and two months to get this corrected.  Apparently AQHA needs to hire smarter people.

Agree AQHA still running it like it's the dark ages.  On a good note we have a stallion match.  Now we're waiting for paperwork to fill out for myself and the breeder.  Hopefully it's in the mail but I doubt it.  It's cost me a lot of money and time on the phone with AQHA .  And they are going to charge me again to change the certificate $50 to put correct Sire on papers.  I just purchased a mare and foal the foals color is wrong on her papers you'd think in 2021 I could just go online and send them pictures but noooooo I have to print pics and mail them in. 

I would fight that charge for sure- did they issue you a copy of the incorrect papers? If so, that's an error on their part. They should never have issued them if they were not correct. Last fall, the AQHA sent me a hard copy of these papers and I about blew my top. They also wanted me to pay $50 for a corrected certificate and I immediately shut that down. Someone obviously didn't do their job inputting names correctly, so how is that my fault? After multiple calls trying to sort it out, one gal finally laughed and said yeah, this isn't acceptable and updated the papers right away.

Yes they issued me the papers - then I sent in DNA/5 Panel test which excluded the Sire on the papers.  I agree with you why should I have to pay $50 for the new certificate which will only have the correct sire on it when I already paid $25 to transfer him. Since I did all the legwork to find out who the correct stallion is they should be paying me or refunding the $100 I paid for them to "start an investigation".  I found breeder, I contacted breeder and continued to call AQHA to give THEM the correct information but they still want more money. 

Good luck. I only needed white markings changed and they gave me a big hassle with me calling and breeder. AQHA is a joke but since they have you by the Tatar's you don't have much choice. 

Good luck. I only needed white markings changed and they gave me a big hassle with me calling and breeder. AQHA is a joke but since they have you by the Tatar's you don't have much choice. 

Not DNA related but I am still waiting on papers for my yearling that I mailed back on February. A month ago they were apparently in "quality assurance". Why the heck is it taking so long?! Gah. 

Call them, ask them to send it to Print it's a computer click of a button for them.  Then you should get it in the mail in about a week.  I've had to do that before.  

Truer words never spoken...  requiring a stallion to be 5 panel tested and not a mare...  is washing the right hand and not the left... 

I haven't had any issues with this stuff but I am sitting here reading it shaking my head wondering what has happened to the AQHA

I've been told (and don't know how reliable the source is) that AQHA replaced their higher paid, knowledgable employees, with new people that they could pay less.  It's the corporate way, dontcha know.  That would explain a lot of the ineptitude. 

I'm in for another fight with AQHA just sent in papers for a mare and foal previous owners registered 3 month old filly as Palomino and she's 100% Cremello ... people working at AQHA should of realized it when pics were sent in to register her... So I decided to do the right thing change her color...