Microchips And Passports: How Horses Are Identified

A horse is identified by two linked things: a microchip with a unique number, and a passport that records that number alongside a description and health history. The chip proves which animal is in front of you. The passport carries the paperwork.

How the microchip works

The chip is a small transponder placed under the skin. The FEI, which governs international equestrian sport, requires a chip compatible with ISO standards 11784 and 11785, readable by a scanner. It is placed in the left side of the neck. A veterinarian licensed in their own country may fit it, and the number is entered in the passport.

What the passport records

A passport describes the horse's colour, markings, height and distinguishing features, plus name, sex and date of birth. It also holds owner details, vaccination records and the microchip number. One guide to horse passports notes that the chip gives a tamper-resistant way to link a document to the right animal, which helps against forged paperwork.

An example from the United Kingdom

Guidance for Scotland says a foal must be identified by the later of 31 December of its birth year or six months after birth. The chip goes in the middle of the neck, between poll and withers. The vet scans for an existing chip, checks the new number is unique, and sends the forms to the passport issuing organisation. The keeper also signs a declaration on whether the horse is intended for human consumption. Guidance states that a "not intended" declaration cannot be reversed.

Rules differ by country

The UK and EU require passports for all horses. The United States and Canada have no central passport system, and rely on veterinary certificates and local rules. Competition horses in international sport need an FEI or approved national passport. These are rules from those places. Nigeria's own rules are being set.

What this means for the programme

• The programme crosses Sahel mares with thoroughbred sires, using frozen semen.
• Each pony is microchipped and has DNA parentage on file.
• The passport, microchip details, DNA record and written start record are handed over with the pony.
• The Nigerian Sport Horse Society, which will keep breed records, is being set up and has not yet launched.
• The programme is in formation. No ponies are for sale and no results are claimed yet.

Frequently asked questions

Can a microchip be removed or swapped? The chip sits under the skin, so it is hard to alter. Even so, the scanned number should be matched against the passport, and a mismatch should be queried.

Does a chip replace a passport? No. The chip is the identifier, and the passport holds the descriptive and health information.

Who can fit a chip? In the FEI system, a veterinarian licensed in their country. Local rules may add conditions.