Why Arent Horses Legally Required To Be Microchipped

[CrapAtCryptics]

After seeing an article on the news this evening where 40 horses were rescued from a flooded field they said that they didnt know who they belonged to. Why do dogs have to be chipped and horses not.

[Mamyalynne]

That's a very good question, they are both precious and expensive animals.

[pixie374]

It is a good question. They can be freezemarked, although it isn't a requirement, but the most valuable ones are likely to be. I'm not sure where you would put it, to make sure it could be found easily, but a good question...

[Theland]

Very good question.

[pixie374]

Ah, //Microchipping. We use the same microchips in horses as we do in dogs and cats. It is inserted into the crest of the Left side of the neck and provides your horse with a unique number correlating to it's passport and to the petlog database should your horse ever go missing.//

So, it's more a case that it isn't compulsory.

[retrocop]

They probably belonged to travellers. It seems normal conventions and rules rarely apply.

[pixie374]

CaC, do they not know who the field belongs to either?

[Canary42]

I wasn't aware dogs had to be chipped. Thanks for the heads-up.

[10ClarionSt]

Just diverting from the OP, but relevant to replies, microchipping in dogs is very hit and miss, as there are many data bases where they are registered. This is why some lost dogs are never recovered. It might seem simple enough that they have a chip, but you need to know which website they are registered on. This was covered on the BBC a few weeks ago on Rip-Off Britain.

[calmck]

Here in Portugal all horses have to be microchipped and the number entered on their ID document. This has to be shown for entry into all shows. The law applies to the “gypsy” community as well and animal welfare groups here are working with this community and the state to enable this

[Ken4155]

Do horse owners not have until the end of this year to microchip their animals? Thought I read some time back that a law for compulsory microchipping equines had been introduced?

[Mamyalynne]

You're quite right - it comes in October this year.

Great.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/compulsory-microchipping-to-improve-horse-welfare

[10ClarionSt]

Horse owners should hope that they don't have the same problem that dog owners encountered (see my answer above), i.e. multiple websites for registering.

[Mamyalynne]

Agree, there should be a central register.

[Ken4155]

There is mention of domesticated equines in your link, mamy. Wonder if racehorses are included or will their passports be enough. All racehorses have passports, in case anyone thinks i'm one over the eight;-)

[Mamyalynne]

I would be highly surprised if racehorses were not chipped already.

[Ken4155]

"Agree, there should be a central register."
It says in your link, mamy, "The new Central Equine Datasbase………"

[Mamyalynne]

Ah good.

[Ken4155]

Just asked Mr Google, mamy, and apparently they are. The passport includes a diagram of any markings the horse may have - white blaze, white star, etc - the location of the implant site of the microchip on a signed silhouette, owners details, horses details, etc, etc.

[CrapAtCryptics]

They didnt seem to know who the land belonged to where the horses were but then again that community who are the likely owners are somewhat casual about boundaries etc.