Clarifying Our Registration Policy

We’ve received several questions about whether the IMHA will be registering reservation horses in addition to those from the BLM and U.S. Forest Service. From the beginning, our policy has been to include only horses that can be verified through official federal identification systems.

The key factor in this decision is trackability. Horses managed under federal programs such as the BLM and U.S. Forest Service are identifiable through official brands, microchips, and accompanying paperwork. These verification systems allow us to confirm a horse’s origin and history—an essential foundation for any credible and lasting registry.

Our goal from the outset has been to establish a registry that embodies integrity, reliability, and long-term recognition within the broader equine community. To achieve that, every horse we register must be traceable through established, verifiable records.

We recognize and respect the heritage and value of reservation-managed horses. If

formal identification systems (such as microchipping or branding) are developed in the future, we might revisit this policy.

For now, we’re proud to provide a place where BLM and U.S. Forest Service–identified horses can thrive and shine—supported by the documentation and traceability that uphold the integrity of the IMHA registry.

This has been our guiding principle from day one, and we appreciate the understanding and support of everyone who shares this vision. Building a respected and enduring registry takes consistency and commitment. Every clear boundary we uphold today strengthens what this can become tomorrow. Together, we can create something worthy of the horses we represent.