Microchipping

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Microchipping your horse is a simple and effective method of permanent identification. As of the 1st July 2009, all newborn foals are required to have a microchip inserted, as are older horses applying for a passport for the first time. Microchipping is an act of veterinary surgery and therefore can only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon. Microchip implantation is well tolerated by horses and complications are rare.

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How is the microchip implanted?

Prior to microchipping, the veterinary surgeon will check your horse for evidence of a previously placed microchip. After confirming no chip is present, a new chip (about the size of a grain of rice) is injected into the ligament (crest) in your horse’s neck. This contains a unique number and can be read with a scanner. The site will be checked after chipping to confirm successful placement. The horse should then be registered with the appropriate Passport Issuing Organisation and the relevant microchip company.  

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How do I register my horse?

After we implant the microchip, we will complete the necessary paperwork with you which enables your horse to be registered. Once the paperwork is completed at the time of your visit, we take a copy for our records and send the original to PetID. All microchips come with lifetime registration on the world-wide database and are a vital aid to reuniting horses with their owners.  

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Horses are routinely scanned for a microchip at pre-purchase examinations and at sales and auctions. There are many cases of lost or stolen animals being returned to their rightful owner thanks to the presence of a microchip.

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If you have any further questions regarding passports; microchipping or any other form of permanent identification, please feel free to contact us. 

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