Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Anglo-Arab Mare Requirements

Thoroughbred, Arabian and Anglo-Arab mares are eligible for inspection and placement in Hanoverian, Rhineland and American Hanoverian Riding Pony Studbooks.  Mares that are placed in either the Hanoverian or Rhineland Studbook, may be eligible to move into the Main Studbook through successful completion of the Mare Performance Test (MPT). Mares measuring under 15 hands will generally be limited to the American Riding Pony Studbook.

"On the most recent tours, the inspectors remarked that the quality of the non-Hanoverian mares, particularly the Thoroughbreds was very good. The owners are now very aware of the exacting requirements for mares and why sufficient movement (impulsion and elasticity) is so important.

Why should I take my mare to a Hanoverian inspection?

Today’s Hanoverian horse is the result of a strict breeding program that dates back to the 1700’s! The American Hanoverian Society, an affiliate of the German Hanoverian Verband, requires both parents be approved for breeding to produce a foal eligible for registration. This selection process helps to ensure the production of a superior performance horse.

How do I know if my mare is eligible?

All Jockey Club-registered Thoroughbred mares, registered Arabian mares, and registered Anglo-Arab mares are eligible for breeding approval at an AHS inspection. The original Jockey Club or Arabian papers must be available at the inspection site for your mare to be inspected.

How is my mare judged?

The inspection is an evaluation of your mare’s conformation, gaits and movement. Your mare will be judged in hand, both standing still, and at the walk and trot on the triangle. A Thoroughbred, Arabian or Anglo-Arab mare must score a 7 or higher for impulsion/elasticity as well as a 7.0 or higher overall (final score) with no subgroup below 5 to be accepted in the Hanoverian Studbook. A Thoroughbred, Arabian or Anglo-Arab mare must score a 6.0 or higher overall (final score) with no subgroup below 5 to be accepted in the Rhineland or American Hanoverian Riding Pony Studbooks.

Eligible Mares

  • Jockey Club-registered Thoroughbreds
  • Registered Arabians
  • Registered Anglo-Arabians

Inspection Evaluation Scores

Head Conformation
Neck Typiness, Femininity
Saddle Position Corectness of Gaits
Frame Impulsion, Elasticity
Foreleg Walk
Hindleg Overall Impression, Development
Conformation Subtotal_______
(Divide Conformation Subtotal by 6
and enter the resulting number as the conformation score. If any category score is 4 or less, the subtotal becomes that score.)		 Total Score________
Final Score________

Only whole numbers are used in scoring – no fractions are allowed. Marks are given on a scale of 1 to 10:

  • 10 - Excellent
  • 9 - Very Good
  • 8 - Good
  • 7 - Fairly Good
  • 6 - Satisfactory
  • 5 - Sufficient
  • 4 - Insufficient
  • 3 - Fairly Bad
  • 2 - Bad
  • 1 - Very Bad

Elite Mare Status

To be designated as an Elite Mare, the mare must achieve Premium Mare status. In addition, to obtain Elite Mare status, the mare must produce at least one AHS-registered foal. As of 2008, there is no longer a specified time limit within which a mare must produce a foal in order to gain the Elite Mare title.

NOTE: for Thouroughbred, Arab, and Anglo-arab mares, they need to recive a 7 for hindleg, forleg and impulsion/elasticity. Mares inspected via video inspection ARE NOT eligible for Elite Mare status. A mare inspected by video can be reinspected in-person at a public inspection for eligibility for her premium mare status.

Premium Mare Status

To be designated as a Premium Mare, the mare must be in the Main Studbook. She must score an overall seven (7) upon inspection with no rounding up of marks. A scoring modification approved in 2009 allows a mare that meets the other requirements for Premium eligibility, but does not score an overall 7.0 on inspection (42 points), to have her free jumping score added to the overall inspection score and the resulting total divided by 7 (instead of 6). She must also pass either the Traditional Mare Performance Test (MPT) with an overall 7 or achieve a score of eight (8) in one of the three MPT categories (riding, gaits, jumping) and at least a six (6) in the other two categories. Or the mare must score an overall 7.25 in the Dressage Only Mare Performance Test (MPT).

NOTE: for Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Anglo-arab mares, they need to recive a 7 for hindleg, forleg and impulsion/elasticity. Mares inspected via video inspection ARE NOT eligible for premium status. A mare inspected by video can be reinspected in-person at a public inspection for eligibility for her premium mare status.

Main Studbook

  • Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian mare that holds registration papers acceptable to the AHS and HV shall be entered into the Hanoverian Main Studbook if she attains an overall inspection score of seven (7) with no sub scores below five (5) and a score of 7 or better for impulsion and elasticity and passes her mare performance test.
  • Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian mare that holds registration papers acceptable to the AHS and HV shall be entered into the Rhineland or American Riding Pony Studbooks if she achieves an overall score of 6 with no sub score below a 5 and passes her mare performance test. Mares measuring under 15 hands will generally be placed in the American Riding Pony Studbook.  
  • If a third-generation mare out of an approved Annex mare scores a 7 or above at inspection and a 7 or above in a Traditional MPT (under saddle and jump chute) or a 7.25 or above in the Dressage Only MPT will be placed in the Main Studbook.
  • Important note: If registered Thoroughbred, Arabian and Anglo-Arabian mares that were inspected prior to 2005 (the year mares were allowed to be shown at liberty for the trot score) and scored an overall seven (7) or above on inspection are retroactively eligible for an upgrade to the AHS Studbook upon request. The AHS Board of Directors approved this motion in 2008 since these mares did not have the opportunity to show their trot at liberty, which usually, but not always, results in a score one point better than shown in hand.

Studbook

  • Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian mare that holds registration papers acceptable to the AHS and HV shall be entered into the Hanoverian Studbook if she attains an overall inspection score of seven (7) with no sub scores below five (5) and a score of 7 or better for impulsion and elasticity.
  • Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian mare that holds registration papers acceptable to the AHS and HV shall be entered into the Rhineland or American Hanoverian Riding Pony Studbooks if she achieves an overall score of 6 with no sub score below a 5. Mares measuring under 15 hands will generally be placed in the American Hanoverian Riding Pony Studbook. 
  • Is an injured or aged registered Thoroughbred, Arabian and Anglo-Arabian mare whose past record of performance in dressage, jumpers, eventing or hunters is verified by the AHS Office in accordance with the AHS Rules of Registration
  • Is a third-generation mare of an approved Annex mare who passes inspection with a final score a 7 or above will be placed in the Studbook.

Mare Inspections

A copy of the registration papers of every mare enrolled for inspection must be submitted with the enrollment form. Entries that lack this documentation may be delayed. The owner of any non-Hanoverian enrolled for an AHS inspection must have previously submitted a copy of the mare’s registration papers to the AHS office for pre-approval. Owners of such mares will be promptly advised as to their mare’s inspection eligibility with AHS. Registered Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian mares are automatically eligible, but their owners must provide a COPY of their mare’s registration papers when enrolling.

For those mares that pass inspection and/or the MPT, certificates and stickers, stamped and signed by the AHS, will be sent with instructions for the owners to affix to the original papers. The certificates will have the breakdown of scores.

Mare Inspection Day Checklist

  • For non-Hanoverian mares, did you submit your mare’s pedigree to the AHS Office for pre-approval?
  • Has your horse been pre-enrolled with the AHS Office?
  • Has the AHS Stabling Form been sent to the site host?
  • Do you have your Coggins and/or Health Certificate with you?
  • Have you made arrangements with the site host for inspection services, such as braiding and handling?
  • DO NOT BRING ORIGINAL PAPERS TO THE INSPECTION SITE.
  • Yearlings being branded must be sedated at least 20 minutes prior to branding. Yearling horses will not be branded without sedation as we want to ensure a safe branding for both horse and brander.

Mare Re-Inspection

Mares are usually inspected only once. However, a mare may be reinspected upon the owner’s application to the AHS Office.