Horse Microchip

Microchips provide an important function in the proper identification of animals. Many Blue and Gold macaws look almost identical, and to some people, all German Shepards look pretty much alike. This is not a problem with horses as there is a wide range of colors and markings which are easily described and distinguished as well as different sizes and breed types. As a result, the use of microchips for identification is not as frequently utilized.

It is important to realize, if your horse is stolen, a microchip will NOT make it easier to find or locate your horse. A microchip is not like a LO- Jack stolen vehicle recovery system. Unfortunately, there are currently no requirements that horses need to be scanned at interstate border crossings or at horse sales or auctions, so the likely hood of someone scanning your lost or stolen horse and you recovering the animal as a result of the microchip is pretty much nonexistent.

Where the presence of a microchip DOES help a horse owner is in proving ownership IF you can find the horse. Imagine you see your horse that has been missing for two years at a boarding stable. How could you possibly PROVE that this particular bay gelding was actually your horse reported stolen two years before??? That is where the microchip would be critical!

Microchipping your horse is simple and inexpensive. At EVA we use a local anesthetic so the horse does not experience any pain. If the horse is very nervous, it is sometimes necessary to use sedation, but that is infrequent. Seriously consider a microchip if you have concerns about your horse ever being stolen, especially if it is a fairly non-descript horse with minimal markings.