Equine Microchipping
Pet microchipping has quickly become standard practice in the world of small animal veterinary care, and the popularity of microchipping horses is growing fast, too. At Adobe Veterinary Center, we’re proud to provide comprehensive veterinary care services, including microchipping, to equine patients. Our equine veterinary specialists recommend that our clients choose to microchip their horses.
What Is a Pet or Equine Microchip and How Does It Work?
A microchip is a form of permanent identification for horses. The microchip itself is a small radio-frequency identification device housed in a biocompatible capsule (about the size of a grain of rice). It transmits a unique identification number when read with a special activating scanner.
Microchips do not contain a GPS or other tracking device. Instead, they simply hold a unique identification number. When a horse is lost, stolen, sold, or transferred, the microchip will be scanned by a veterinarian to reveal the ID number. The identification number is registered in a national database along with your contact information and links to your horse’s health certificate, veterinary records, and additional information.
Benefits of Equine Microchipping
- Equine microchipping offers the following benefits:
- Permanent, unalterable identification and proof of ownership
- Theft prevention
- Online access to medical records and health certificates
- Documentation and certain identification for transfers and sales
- Competition accuracy for identification, age, and competition history
- Required by many show organizers and horse registries
Is Equine Microchipping Safe?
Yes, the process of inserting a microchip and the microchip itself are both safe for horses.
What to Expect When Having a Horse Microchipped
The process of inserting a microchip is really quite simple. Similar to a vaccination, microchipping can be performed without anesthetics. Our veterinarian uses a small, hollow-bore needle to insert the horse’s microchip usually into the nuchal ligament, where it will not migrate. Once a microchip has been placed, the horse will not feel it or experience any pain.
Schedule a Microchipping Appointment with an Equine Veterinarian in Tucson
Adobe Veterinary Center is a full-service equine veterinary care center. With a combination of mobile on-site care, an outpatient clinic, and a regional equine hospital, we’re able to provide comprehensive, high-quality care. To schedule an appointment to have one or more of your horses microchipped or to establish care for your horses, we welcome you to contact us today.
