Are horse ranches/stables certified??

Should horse ranches/stables be registered or certified? Should I consider this when buying a horse? How does this system work?
Answers:
Breeding stables for certain breeds need to be recorded with the breed registry (Jockey Club) but these places pay the money to register and typically don't have to be certified.
Lesson stables can be certified with an association like Certified Horsemanship Association (http://www.cha-ahse.org) but this association typically says how safe a stable and their riding program are. CHA certified facilities are safe, clean, and generally have safe horses and the owners are the epitome of honesty (in my experience).
You should be looking for people that have certification because typically it means they know a little bit about horses. CHA, Pony Club, American Riding Instructors Association, USEA Instructor, etc. You should consider what kind of background a facility or person has when purchasing a horse.

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I don't know where you live, but in the US ranches are not certified or registered. Anyone can hang a sign out and call themselves a breeding or boarding stable. You can try asking around, but that's not a guarantee. The best thing you can do to protect yourself when buying a horse is to be sure there is a contract and a bill of sale, and to have a vet of YOUR choosing do a thorough exam before you put any money down. Do not let anyone pressure you-- a reputable seller will respect you and your right to ask questions and cover your backside!

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Whether or not a ranch or stable (or barn) is certified depends on many things, such as location, the population in the area, and the organzations that are doing the certifications. Because this is a free country, and this industry is still largely unregulated, anyone can claim to be certified by any organization, and their claims will be believed by someone, regardless of whether or not they are true. When buying a horse, it is important to check on the horse's soundness, his/her suitability for the job your are asking him/her to do, his/her personality, the horse's conformation ( how the animal is put together physically) the horse's show, performance, and training records (and try the horse out yourself so you can see how he/she behaves when ridden) and the breeding record (NOT the pedigree) if the horse is a broodmare or stallion. Whether or not a ranch or stable claims to be certified should have little or no impact on your decision to by a horse from them. There is no prestige attached to such a title, and they are largely irrelevant. The things you want to consider are the ones I just mentioned- and don't worry if a ranch isn't "certified". Hope this helps you.