Identification

[Pitter Patter]

I have these beautiful minis now. How do you identify them should the unthinkable happen? (Lost, stolen,etc). I have plenty of pictures, but how would one PROVE the horse is theirs? My vet just looked at me funny when I asked him about micro chipping. What does everyone do? I know people used to brand, either with hot iron or freezing, but that seems so cruel.

 

[Cayuse]

I have heard of people micro chipping but i don't know anyone who does it and I don't know if any of the auction places (which wouId be my first concern regarding where a stolen horse might go) bother to check for micro chips.
I bet a small animal vet would have more info on how to get it done if you wanted to. My vet just asked me if I wanted my cat micro chipped when he had his rabies vax so she must be able to do it.

 

[Pitter Patter]

I think vets can do it, but my concern is the same as yours...Would anyone bother to even check for a microchip?

 

[dalvers63]

Microchipping is very common in high end dressage and eventing horses. If you're very concerned you could get a vet to chip your horses. You could also do like they do with other animals and put a tattoo in the ear to identify and note that the animal is chipped.

For most of us though, good photos and vet receipts, along with a brand inspection (done by your vet and registered with the state) are sufficient

 

[diamond c]

I have mini donkeys and it is required by the registry to microchip them. I didn’t foal them I bought them and the seller chipped them. It looks to be a very easy process and I’ve seen the stuff for sale on different vet supply web sites.

 

[carritootle]

Microchipping is easy and not too expensive, done by your vet. Slaughter houses are supposed to check for a microchip and attempt contact, but I would be surprised if they actually do. All of my horses (and dogs) are microchipped.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Modern Coggins uses a photo. since it is done by a vet woùldn't it be a legal identifying document? I don't think a registry should require chipping.

 

[chandab]

I have mini donkeys and it is required by the registry to microchip them. I didn’t foal them I bought them and the seller chipped them. It looks to be a very easy process and I’ve seen the stuff for sale on different vet supply web sites.

When did they add microchipping as a requirement? I have a now 8 year old jenny that has an ear tattoo (I did not know this, nor have I seen it, but it's marked on some paperwork that I have), but I see no mention of microchipping in her paperwork, just the tattoo.

 

[diamond c]

I think that in years past it was acceptable to use tattoos or other means of permanent means of identifying markings,but the way I understand it now the preferred method is microchip but I may be wrong. I’m not a breeder and I have yet to show and I don’t plan on selling them so I don’t pay that much attention to that kind of stuff in the registry magazines