Transfer of Ownership: How It Works
Congratulations on purchasing a Lusitano — or soon becoming the proud owner of one! If you and your horse will reside in the United States or Canada, the US Lusitano Association (USLA) will assist you in completing the Transfer of Ownership so your horse’s records are correctly updated in Portugal.
Understanding Lusitano Registration
All purebred Lusitanos are registered with the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano (APSL) in Portugal. The APSL Studbook has two parts:
- Book of Births — foal registrations.
- Adult Studbook — horses approved for breeding after the APSL Revision process.
To be officially recognized as a Lusitano, both parents must be registered Lusitanos and approved for breeding. Before purchase, you can verify a horse’s details in the APSL Public Studbook using its name or NIN (National Identification Number).
USLA’s Role
The US Lusitano Association (USLA) is the official representative of APSL in the United States, working directly with APSL to facilitate registrations, ownership transfers, and inspections in North America. All purebred Lusitanos in the U.S. and Canada are registered in the APSL Studbook, and USLA is the organization authorized to carry out these services on APSL’s behalf.
Starting the Transfer
- Who can start: Either the buyer or the seller may initiate and pay for the transfer.
- Where it happens: The process is completed entirely online through the USLA Member Portal.
- What you’ll need: The horse’s registered name and APSL registration number (this is the same number used by USLA), plus contact details for both parties.
- Signatures: Both the buyer and the seller must provide electronic signatures before the transfer can be finalized.
- Recording: USLA verifies the submission and forwards it to APSL in Portugal for official recording. Once APSL updates its record, the new owner appears in both APSL and USLA databases.
Transfers from Outside the U.S. or Canada
If the horse is being transferred from an owner located outside the United States or Canada, additional documentation may be required. USLA will coordinate with APSL and the previous owner to secure any necessary international authorization before finalizing the transfer.
Need Help?
The process can feel complex, but USLA is here to help. If you have questions, submit a Help Ticket through the website and our registration team will be in touch.