Does a TB horse tattoo have 4 or 5 numbers? I can only see 1 letter and 4 numbers.?

Question

Maybe there used to be only four numbers... because as far as i know, the letter is a K, so that would mean he was born in '81. did there ever used to be four numbers? and now they ran out or something and now there is 5? thanks.

Answer 1

The letter at the beginning of the tattoo tells you the year your horse was born so if you can read the letter you know his age!

A=1971

B=1972

C=1973

D=1974

E=1975

F=1976

G=1977

H=1978

I=1979

J=1980

K=1981

L=1982

M=1983

N=1984

O=1985

P=1986

Q=1987

R=1988

S=1989

T=1990

U=1991

V=1992

W=1993

X=1994

Y=1995

Z=1996

A=1997

B=1998

C=1999

D=2000

E=2001

It is my understanding that there is always five numbers after the letter on a Thoroughbred's lip tattoo. Maybe if you look closer you will see it? The tattoos can fade.

Answer 2

A TB has 1 letter and 5 digits, the letter

indicates the year foaled and the digits are the last 5 numbers of the horses registration number.

An Appendix QH has 1 letter and 4 or 5 digits.

If your horse has  1 letter, it is probably an Appendix bred QH.  Often, it is very difficult to visually differentiate between a TB and an Appendix QH.

Answer 3

Looks as though it can be a letter followed by either 4 or 5 numbers if it is a TB. If is an Appendix then it will be numbers followed by the letter.