MICROCHIPPING HORSES,
THE WHAT, WHY, HOW, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW MUCH?
The What:
A Microchip is a small device, about the same size as a grain of rice. It holds a unique identity number which means the animal in to which a microchip is inserted is reliably identified for life.
The Why:
Since 1999 all racing Thoroughbreds have been obliged to be identified by Microchip in addition to a passport. Some other breed societies have also had similar rules but since July 1st 2009, it is now law that all horses either born after 1st July 2009 or any horse having its first passport will need to be Microchipped.
Horses that already have a passport issued prior to 1st July 2009 do not have to be Microchipped, but there is nothing to stop anyone having their horse Microchipped as it is the best method of identification currently available.
Once inserted, the horse is indentifiable by the unique number on the Microchip, however, for that to be of any real use, that number needs to be registered. When a passport application is received the microchip number will be entered on to the National Equine Database by the Passport issuing authority. Usually the manufacturer of the chip will also register the Microchip with Petlog, if the paperwork is completed and submitted at the time the microchip is implanted.
Once on the NED or Petlog system, if the police, RSPCA, council Inspectors, Vets or whoever find a Microchip in a horse, they can consult the databases to find its rightful owner.
The How:
In horses the microchip is implanted using a simple injection technique that the horse hardly notices. The skin is cleaned and if very hairy, a small patch may be clipped. The microchip comes pre-loaded in a needle, the needle is injected through the skin and a plunger pushes the microchip into place.
How does it work? The microchip sits there doing very little until it is stimulated by a Microchip reading device, the signal from the reading device, prompts the Microchip to broadcast its unique number, which can then be read by the
Some Microchips have been developed to do additional things; some will send out the unique number along with the animal’s current body temperature, much easier and quicker than the thermometer up the bottom, but these Microchips are more expensive than standard ones.
The Where:
So that everyone looking for a Microchip can find it without having to search the entire horse, it is standard policy to insert the Microchip in the Nuchal Ligament ( which sits at the top of the neck just under the mane and crest) about half way down on the left hand side. Microchipping can be done almost anywhere but the horse needs to be in a reasonably clean, dry and suitable place; stables are much better than trying to do it in a field.
The When:
Almost any time, is the easiest answer, from day 1 of life through to any age.
After 1st July 2009 the Microchip will be implanted at the same time as the markings are drawn for a passport application.
The new legislation now prohibits the application for a passport at a sales ort abbatoir, this means that from 1st July 2009, all horses being entered in to a sale, must already have a valid passport prior to going to the sale and unless that passport was issued prior to 1st July 2009, the horse will also require a Microchip.
The How Much?
Usual cost of insertion of a Microchip is £26.66 including VAT and all the paperwork, however as a Special Offer from the Minster Veterinary Practice running up to the end of 2009, insertion of a Microchip in to your horse will only cost £15.00
If you need markings for a passport application also, then there is a special offer there too, instead of the usual price of £36 for a set of typed markings, again running up to the end of 2009 the special offer price of £17 applies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will it hurt my horse?
Not much, the needle isn’t that big and its the same needle used to implant a microchip into a Budgie, so horses shouldn’t really have too much to complain about. Some vets may use a little local anaesthetic but since that also needs to be injected by a needle, one quick injection with the Microchip needle is over and done with in a second.
Is it safe for the horse?
Yes is the easy answer, nearly half a million Microchips have been implanted into horses in the last five years and with the new legislation making it compulsory that number is going to rise. Very occasionally there may be some infection as with any injection but these cases are very rare and we clean the horse’s skin prior to implanting the Microchip to reduce these chances. The Microchip itself is supplied already sterilised.
Does the Microchip work for ever?
In the vast majority of cases the Microchips are very very reliable, but nothing in this world is perfect and occasionally a chip will fail. Great care needs to be taken because the Microchip is pretty dormant until it is stimulated by a reading device, some chips can appear very “sleepy” so great care needs to be taken to ensure a chip is definitely not working before any thoughts of inserting a second replacement chip.
How do I register my chip?
If the horse is having a passport issued, then the people issuing the passport will register the details of the Microchip number along with the rest of the horse’s information on the national Equine Database.
The Vet implanting the chip will have paperwork from the manufacturer of the Microchip and that should be completed by the owner and sent back to the manufacturers who will register that Microchip.
