Passports

All horses must have a passport if they are over 6 months old.

The identification is in the form of a diagram showing the markings, which needs to be completed by a vet or a registered identifier.

This passport should be available whenever the vet visits in case any details need to be entered in it.

There is a declaration at section IX in the passport which refers to possible human consumption of the horse, this should be signed. If the horse is designated as not for human consumption it is much easier to use certain drugs as they may otherwise need to be recorded.

Microchipping

New Legislation: All Foals to be Microchipped as of 1st July 2009

From 1st July all foals will have to be microchipped by the time they are 6 months old. In addition any new passport application will require that the horse or donkey is microchipped.

Microchips are the most reliable and tamper-proof method of identification, the best means of authenticating horse passports and of ensuring the accuracy and success of the National Equine Database.

Each chip has its own unique code which provides information such as the owner's name, address, and telephone number, which is stored on a computer database that is contacted when an animal’s identity/ownership is in question

Placing a microchip is quick and simple. Typically they are placed midneck below the mane. Very occasionally some bruising and swelling may develop but in these cases quickly subsides. If your horse has long hair typically the insertion site is clipped and cleaned prior to inserting the chip.
 

A magnified view of an equine microchip- it is about the same size as a grain of rice