Stallion Inspection Candidate Information
Updated April 3, 2005

Please download and print the following documents and report forms and give them to the veterinarian who will perform the examination of your stallion prospect. If a different veterinarian will be conducting the radiograph (X-rays) portion of the examination, provide that form and a copy of the letter to that person as well.

Please provide the attending veterinarian a copy of your horse's registration certificate for verification of identity.

The costs for the examination, radiographs and report are the responsibility of the stallion owner.

The ATA has expanded the veterinary portion of the inspection process to include radiographs to better harmonize our process with the Trakehner Verband (which has the same protocol). All warmblood breed organizations in Europe also require radiographs and most in North America as well.

It has been established by science that many developmental skeletal diseases of horses (of which OCD is a prime example) have a genetic component and are relatively highly heritable. OCD, heart defects or other traits that have a high degree of heritability cause concerns for breeders and riders. Indeed the reputation of the breed, the breeder and the organization stands to lose if genetic problems are not identified.

Given today's science and technology, if one looks long enough and hard enough, an abnormality will eventually be found. The Inspection Committee is only concerned with Significant abnormalities in the veterinarian examination. The committee may act in response to the finding of significant abnormalities by the examining veterinarian and reserves the right to have a certified equine radiologist or a licensed veterinarian specializing in equine sports medicine imaging to review and offer an opinion before or after inspection of the stallion as a condition of approval.

Review the results of the examination with your veterinarian. If you wish to proceed further with the inspection process, the reports and radiograph films (or discs) are to be sent to the ATA office at the address shown on the attending veterinarian's attached memo. This will become part of your stallion's permanent file with the ATA.

Thank you for your cooperation and good luck with your stallion prospect.

American Trakehner Association
Inspection Committee - Brad J. Kerbs, Chairman