Re: horse microchipping

Vikki Moran — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:26:26 GMT

I microchipped all of the 5 horses I have owned over the last 8 years. including a 4 week old foal (who I now have as my riding horse). It's not difficult, and it certainly doesn't seem to cause them any great pain, certainly no more than a puppy that's for sure. It's such a quick procedure, there's no need to sedate for it. by the time you're got venous access and waited for sedation it'd be over. just like with small animals.

getting the location right is the difficult bit, it's supposed to be about a third of the way down the nuchal ligament i think. but if you have a cresty pony that can be difficult to feel.

as a slight aside.... anybody any experience with microchip failure in horses? said foal (now 6) was chipped, I did it, it's definitely the same horse, BUT I cannot find the chip at all. nor can an equine colleague of mine. the only conclusion we can come up with is chip failure, however her chip number is recorded on her passport. so what do I do? I have asked bayer (it's a tracer chip) and not heard back about it yet.