THE Horse Sport Ireland registrations team has issued 789 passports in the past two weeks, taking the total via the new Horse Source system to 2,057 (34% of applications received).
An update from HSI on Friday said: “Since the last update, provided on November 15th, almost 800 foal passport applications have been completed and sent to breeders.”
A total of 6,101 pedigree and non-pedigree applications have been made through Horse Source and a total of 2,057 (34%) are now complete. HSI said 3,819 foal kits have been returned to them from breeders. As previously reported, an additional 450 foal passports were issued via the paper system, between January and June, bringing the total number of foal passports issued so far in 2024 to 2,507.
Additionally, 1,526 amended passports have been issued for services, such as change of ownership, endorsements and importations via Horse Source.
“While the overall delivery of foal passports has been slow, progress has been made in recent weeks and we are currently operating on a real-time basis, with samples being sent to the laboratory,” the press release said.
“This means that, as samples are received by HSI, they are being processed within days of arrival and being sent for analysis within that same week, the knock-on effect being a reduction of waiting times for applications to be processed, where DNA analysis is complete, and passports being completed and sent to breeders.”
TIH problem
Separately, HSI said it is aware that some foal passports have been issued without the ‘TIH’ designation -which indicates the animal is a Traditional Irish Horse. The Traditional Irish Horse Association (TIHA) issued an update on Friday, urging breeders to check their foal passports and get in touch if the TIH mark is not there.
“TIH and Traditional Irish Horse is to appear on three locations on the passport, as agreed with both HSI and the Department of Agriculture when we spoke to them this year, as was agreed in 2017. The matter was raised with HSI again in September, but is unfortunately not resolved and we will be meeting with them as soon as possible in relation to this issue.”
HSI said: “The TIH algorithm has been in development from the initiation of the project. We are aware of some ISH TIH passports having been issued without the TIH mark.
“HSI will update these for breeders where missing. The algorithm to detect a TIH horse is complex and HSI are working closely with the development team to ensure its accuracy. HSI remains fully committed to supporting the TIH and its value to the Irish Sport Horse breed and Irish breeding as a whole.”
Foal Passports under HorseSource System Number
Total applications received 6,101
Number of foal kits returned to HSI 3,819
Total passports issued 2,057
Other services Number
Total applications received 2,053
Passports returned to HSI by customers 1,672
Amended passports issued 1526