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not count. When microchip information is later provided, then the points will be given retroactively. However, starting Novem- ber 30, 2018, horses will not be allowed to compete without a microchip. This timeframe gives owners two years (from now) to be educated and get their horses microchipped—an addi- tional year to meet the requirements of the new system.


Why Microchips? There are plenty of benefits to using microchips as the primary means of identifying a horse, keeping in mind that most veterinarians already own a microchip scanner, and Europe has standardized using microchips since 2006. In addition, all horses imported from the European Union already have a chip implanted. Since a chip costs as little as five to eight dollars and the


one-time fee for veterinarians to insert it ranges from $35 to $60, microchips are quite affordable. Many American breed registries are also starting to require all horses that they regis- ter to be microchipped. For example the RPSI (see the breed section on page 61) requires it and even The Jockey Club will require all Thoroughbred foals registered with the organization to be microchipped as of January 1, 2017. Contrary to what some believe, a microchip cannot be It requires surgery, with general anesthesia,


removed easily.


and would, due to the location where it is inserted, leave a scar. These ISO (International Standard Organization) microchips


are read-only and simply provide a number to identify the horse. The number cannot be erased or changed, nor does the chip track the location of a horse using any kind of GPS technology.


Benefits to a Horse’s Welfare Installing a microchip is less painful than branding or tattooing. Microchips are implanted into the nuchal ligament (in the neck) on the left side and are the size of a grain of rice. Most horses do not even show a response as the chip is quickly injected. In addi- tion, the horse feels nothing when the microchip is scanned. When inserted properly, microchips do not migrate. Origi-


nally, veterinarians had placed them at the commonly-used triangle-shaped injection site of the neck but found they could sometimes migrate. When placed in the nuchal ligament, however, a small layer of connective tissue forms around the microchip, keeping it from moving, according to American Veterinary Identification Device (AVID), one of the U.S. manu- facturers of microchips. It is a simple injection that only takes a few seconds and is done without sedation. Identification of a horse after a disaster or theft is a huge


benefit. Horse slaughter is also a concern to many horse owners who sell their horses and lose track of them. There is currently a nationwide network of more than 215,000 people who now scan horses at auctions and kill pens as part of the Equine Rescue Network (ERN). Positive horse identification protects all involved: the owner,


rider, trainer, and most of all the horse. For a horse faced with neglect, abuse, theft, natural disaster or potential slaughter, the


traceability of that horse’s history via the microchip could prove invaluable. “If a slaughter-bound horse is found with a microchip or tattoo, ERN is able to notify previous owners.


Understand-


ably, no one wants to get a call that a previously owned horse is about to ship to Canada or Mexico for slaughter. Yet ERN has found that 85% of the time, the previous owners welcome the call and are happy to help, even if as a means to humanely euth- anize the horse,” according to ERN’s website.


Managing Identification At the USHJA (and USEF), the microchip’s number is kept on file stored with the horse’s birthdate, breeder, sire, dam, etc. There is no additional cost to the owner of the horse to track this number. If a horse’s identification needs to be verified at a show or


event, stewards will not be required to have scanners on hand. Any veterinarian at the show or in the local area will likely have a microchip scanner and can perform the scan to read the number. A worldwide database of equine microchip numbers still


does not exist. However, the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) and the Federation Equestre Interna- tionale (FEI) are currently working with numerous countries to form one universal database, hopefully to be announced in the not-too-distant future. Currently microchip numbers are stored and connected to the breed registration number and/ or competition number (USEF/USHJA). The USEF already has an area on its registration form for microchip numbers and horse records can already be searched via microchip number.


Next Steps With the passing of the amended rule at the USHJA, now the USEF, as our senior governing body of American equestrian sports, will need to rubber stamp the rule at their January 2016 meeting as it goes through the USEF National Hunter and Jumper Committees, National Breeds and Disciplines Coun- cil and the USEF Board of Directors. Will this open the door for other organizations, such as the U.S. Eventing Associa- tion and the U.S. Dressage Federation, to begin requiring the same identification protocol for eventing and dressage horses respectively? Don’t be surprised to hear more and more breed registries adopting and mandating this same microchipping protocol. For horse owners and breeders, the next step is to begin


implementing the microchip requirements for new and young horses as well as existing competition horses in order to meet the December 2017 deadline. Check with your veterinarian— any routine visit for tasks such as vaccinations, dental work, coggins, pre-purchase exams, etc., is a good time to have them insert a microchip. The writing’s on the wall: it is likely that eventually all horses


that we breed, ride and compete for sport will require clear identification. It’s something that makes sense, as the protec- tion and welfare of our sport horses are paramount.


92 January/February 2016


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