Registration Requirements

1. General conformation requirements:

The conformation of the Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse is described as follows:

         The head should be well proportioned to the body, neither large nor small.The shoulders should be well shaped.  The angle from the point of the shoulder to the point of the withers should be about 40 or 45 degrees.

         Strong sloping hind quarters.

         Medium leg bone in proportion to body size.

         The croup of the tail should be slightly lower than the withers, which can vary.

         Legs should be set square.  The pastern/fetlock angle should be 45 degrees or near.

2. Rules for conformation:

All colors and patterns of colors are acceptable.

         Height:  stallions must be at least 14.2 hands at the withers at inspection for the foundation.  Mares and Geldings are to be at least 14 hands.

         Gait:  horses must demonstrate a natural (4) four beat gait.  The gait will be of equal, or have near equal cadence, whereas one can count four distinct hoof beats in a rhythmic manner, with a flowing extension.  Horses will have the ability to demonstrate this gait barefoot or with keg shoes.

         Horses must exhibit a calm temperament.

         Horses must present a reasonable amount of appeal.

3. General Rules of Registration:

All horses must be inspected prior to being submitted for registration.  The inspection process will consist of an inspector measuring, checking conformation and the horse demonstrating the recognized gait under saddle or on a lead line.  If no inspector is available a videotape can be done in order to be evaluated by the Board of Directors (BOD).  Determination will be made at that time whether the horse meets the registration rules of the association for permanent registration. 

         The horse must be DNA Tested under the direction of the registry rules.  Permanent registration papers will then be issued after the DNA process is complete.  Foals from registered parents must be DNA Tested and parentage proven before permanent papers are issued.  The DNA Test fee is included in registration fee that the owner pays.

         Temporary papers will be issued on foundation foals that do not have registered parents.  The fee for registration is the full registration price because when the foal reaches the required height and demonstrates the 4 beat gait-permanent papers will then be issued at no additional cost.  Foals that are the result of a registered sire and/or a registered dam will be issued permanent papers provided the parentage is verified through DNA Testing.

         Duplicate registration papers will be issued if papers have only been lost, stolen or destroyed, however the horse must be re-inspected for verification purposes, as well as the possibility of performing another DNA Test, before papers are issued.  A fee will be imposed for re-issuing duplicate papers.

4. Stallions:

Stallions must meet all of the requirements of the association. They must have both testicles descended.  They must be approved and DNA Tested for the foundation.

5. Mares:

Mares must meet all requirements and be inspected, DNA Tested and approved for the foundation.

6. Geldings:

Geldings must meet all requirements. They must be completely castrated.  After a stallion of record has been gelded the registration certificate must be submitted to the registry to be changed to reflect said change.

7. Foals:

Any offspring resulting from the mating of a registered stallion and/or a registered mare shall be eligible for permanent registration, provided that DNA Testing confirms parentage. Foals from non-registered parents can be considered foundation.

8. Naming:

There will be no duplicate names.  If a duplicate name arises Roman Numerals will be used to differentiate or alternate names listed on the application for registration will be used.

         A name can be changed prior to DNA Testing.

         Names cannot be changed after the horse has been issued registration papers.

9. Transfer of Registration Papers:

At the time of transferring ownership of a horse, the owner will sign the back of the registration papers and the buyer will submit the registration paper transfer fee to the registry.  After the registry has recorded the transfer the new owner will receive the transferred registration papers.  No horse can be shown until the transfer record is made current.  Paperwork on a sire and dam must be in owners name at the time of the registration of an offspring.

         Registration numbers will be shown on the registration papers.  Pedigrees for all registered horses will appear on the papers if provided by the owner.

         Any circumstance that is not addressed in these regulations will be decided by a majority vote of the BOD and approved by the Trustees.

Registration Overview:

Foals of parents who have been DNA Tested are listed as parentage proven (PP). 

         All horses that meets the criteria of the KNGHA that have the similarities of another breed needs to be bred in the direction of the Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse

         This Registry will accept horses of mountain breeding that meets the criteria of the association except for horses that are positive for ASD. Any horse that is later determined to be a producer of ASD foals will not be eligible to have off-springs registered within the association. 

         The association has the discretion to reject any horse that compromises the future of the mountain breed.

Registration Application:

Please click here for the registration application. If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact us.