Two Prices for One Horse - With Papers and Without Papers

[Halt_Near_X]

[QUOTE=reubenT;8167796]
If I don’t want to keep a given horse, why restrict what someone else may want to do with it? [/QUOTE]

I know someone who was so appalled by a breed registry/actions of local individuals involved in that registry that she decided to sell the horse as grade rather than risk the horse ever being shown on the breed circuit.

As others have mentioned, papers are sometimes withheld on TBs to prevent them ever racing again.

All this is different than the person attempting to extort extra money for the papers, but sometimes people look around at the world and decide that being grade may not be the worst thing that can happen to a horse.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=DoubleTwistedWire;8167479]
.

But unlike other breeds, if you know the name/tattoo, you can get a TIP number at least from the Jockey Club, and still participate in those things.[/QUOTE]

However, not all TBs are tattooed. Usually it’s not until they go into training at the track and are going to start. If they wash out for whatever reason before that or are bred without intending to race them odds are they won’t be tattooed. So even with TBs having the papers can be important. (As I understand, if the mare is legibly tattooed, you don’t need the papers to breed, but even there, “legible”. I could read Lucky’s tattoo clearly when I got him but it’s increasingly hard to see now that he’s getting older.)

[KLCarp]

Are horses commonly microchipped in the states yet? Couldnt that make this whole papers thing null and void?

[DressageFancy]

Breed papers are necessary to show in that breeds shows. Or to register any future foals. Many people just want to trail ride or enjoy a horse around the farm/ranch so papers don’t really matter and because ‘grade’ horses usually cost less to purchase than a show horse people buy them. And some sellers chose not to sell the horse with papers so that the horse is used for non breed show purposes. Or simply because they cannot get what they consider a fair price for a registered show horse. One other reason for selling ‘grade’ is not to disclose bloodlines. Such as known hypp producing bloodlines. Which is good reason to have a vet check on a grade horse if only to test for such hidden genetic defects so your new horse doesn’t suddenly fall over and die before your eyes…

[eclipse]

[QUOTE=Beck;8167561]
My understanding was that it is illegal in Canada to advertise a horse as being registered (purebred) and then not supplying the papers. If your ad says, “TB” or “Quarter Horse” you must provide papers to go with the horse. If your ad says “QH type” or “TB cross” or “Part TB” or “Grade QH” then no papers are required. It is more about misrepresentation/false advertising than it is about where the papers belong (which is really with the horse).

And yes, TB’s are sold all the time without their papers in order to prevent their return to the track.[/QUOTE]

This is my understanding too! And, here in Canada I’ve actually never had an issue not getting the papers. With my little paint I (since sold)I got the papers but transfer of ownership from original to old owner previous to me was never done so that caused some issues but it was easily sorted. Plus in Canada, for legal ownership to take place it’s not the breed papers but the bill of sale and horses passport that must both be signed and then sent to Equine Canada for recording to officially document the sale or transfer of ownership!