Unique number
Each chip carries a unique identification number that can be read with a compatible scanner.
Equine Veterinary Services
Equine Identification & Microchipping
Permanent identification support for horses and ponies across the Mornington Peninsula and greater Melbourne.
BOOK A VET
Overview
Accurate identification throughout your horse’s life
Accurate identification is an important part of responsible horse ownership, veterinary care, competition, breeding and movement records.
Racetrack Veterinary Services provides equine identification and microchipping services for horses and ponies across the Mornington Peninsula and greater Melbourne.
Microchipping provides a permanent form of identification and can be used alongside markings, brands, registration details and other official records.
How we can help
Microchipping for horses, ponies, foals and young horses.
Microchip scanning to check for an existing chip.
Recording identifying features and microchip numbers.
Identification support for sales, registration and Pre-Purchase Examinations.
Understanding Microchips
What Is an Equine Microchip?
An equine microchip is a small electronic identification device implanted under the skin by a veterinarian.
Each microchip contains a unique identification number that can be read using a compatible scanner.
The microchip does not contain personal or medical information itself. Instead, the unique number can be linked to the horse’s registration, ownership or identification records with the relevant organisation or database.
Permanent identification
The microchip provides a permanent identifier that can be used alongside markings, brands and records.
Linked records
Relevant registration or ownership information depends on the records held by the applicable organisation or database.
Benefits of Identification
Why Microchip a Horse?
Microchipping can help provide reliable and permanent identification throughout a horse’s life.
It may be required or recommended for:
Registration & breeding
- Breed registration
- Racing or breeding records
- Competition registration
Ownership & movement
- Sales and transfer of ownership
- Identification for travel
- Lost or stolen horses
Veterinary & official records
- Veterinary records
- Insurance documentation
- Proof of identity
Microchipping can be particularly useful when horses change owners, move between properties or travel interstate.
The Procedure
What Happens During Microchipping?
Before implanting a new microchip, our team of veterinarians will generally scan the horse first to check whether a chip is already present.
Scan first
The horse is scanned to check whether a microchip is already present.
Implant the chip
The microchip is implanted beneath the skin using a sterile applicator.
Confirm placement
Once implanted, the chip is scanned again to confirm the identification number and correct placement.
Record details
The number can then be recorded on the horse’s relevant documentation.
The procedure is quick and usually well tolerated by most horses.
Horse Identification
More Than a Microchip
Microchipping is often only one part of confirming a horse’s identity.
Depending on the purpose of the examination, identification may also include recording:
Identifying features and records
- Colour
- Sex
- Age
- Whorls
- White markings
- Brands
- Scars
- Existing microchip number
- Registration details
Our team of veterinarians can assist with identification for horses requiring veterinary certification, registration, transfer or other official documentation.
Microchip Scanning
Check for an Existing Microchip
If you are unsure whether a horse has already been microchipped, we can scan the horse before any new microchip is implanted.
Scanning may also be required to confirm identity for:
Examinations & sales
Pre-Purchase Examinations and sales.
Registration & travel
Registration, competition and travel.
Certificates & insurance
Veterinary certificates and insurance purposes.
Confirming the existing microchip number is an important part of ensuring the horse being examined matches the relevant records.
Purchaser Support
Identification During Pre-Purchase Examinations
Accurate identification is particularly important during a Pre-Purchase Examination.
Our team of veterinarians may record identifying features and scan the horse’s microchip so that the horse examined can be matched with the documentation provided.
Identification checks may include
- Microchip number
- Brands
- Markings
- Colour
- Sex
- Age
- Registration or passport details
This helps provide greater certainty that the veterinary examination relates to the correct horse.
Bloodstock & Performance
Racehorses & Performance Horses
Racehorses and performance horses may be subject to specific identification requirements depending on their registration, competition rules and governing body.
Racetrack Veterinary Services regularly works with thoroughbred racehorses, standardbreds and performance horses and can assist with microchip scanning and identification as part of routine veterinary care, sales work and Pre-Purchase Examinations.
Thoroughbreds
Identification support as part of routine veterinary care and sales work.
Standardbreds
Microchip scanning and identification support where required.
Performance horses
Identification checks for competition, sales and Pre-Purchase Examinations.
Early Identification
Foals & Young Horses
Microchipping is commonly performed as part of the identification and registration process for foals and young horses.
Our team of veterinarians can assist with microchipping and completion of the relevant identification documentation where required.
This can often be coordinated with other routine veterinary procedures such as:
Vaccination
Coordinate identification with routine vaccination where appropriate.
Health examinations
Complete identification alongside routine health checks.
Registration requirements
Foal identification, branding or registration requirements as applicable.
Travel & Documentation
Interstate & International Requirements
Identification requirements may vary depending on where a horse is travelling and the organisation involved.
Some interstate, export, competition or registration processes require confirmation of a microchip number or other identifying information.
If your horse is travelling, being sold or exported, it is important to check the specific requirements well in advance.
Our team of veterinarians can assist with identification and veterinary documentation where appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does microchipping hurt?
The procedure is quick and is generally well tolerated. Horses may briefly react to the needle in the same way they might during a vaccination.
Can a microchip move?
Microchips are designed to remain in place, although minor migration can occasionally occur. This is one reason why horses should be scanned carefully when confirming identification.
Can you tell who owns a horse from the microchip?
The microchip itself only provides a unique identification number. Ownership details depend on the records held by the relevant registration body or database.
What if my horse already has a microchip?
Our team of veterinarians will scan the horse before implanting a new chip. If an existing chip is identified, the number can be recorded and checked against the relevant documents.
Can you microchip a foal?
Yes. Microchipping is commonly carried out in foals and young horses as part of registration and identification requirements.
Do you provide identification for Pre-Purchase Examinations?
Yes. Identification may form part of a Pre-Purchase Examination and can include scanning the microchip and recording distinguishing features.
Can you help with registration paperwork?
Where veterinary identification or certification is required, our team of veterinarians can assist with the veterinary component of the relevant documentation.
Need help identifying your horse? Contact our veterinary team.
Book an Appointment
Book an Identification or Microchipping Appointment
Racetrack Veterinary Services provides equine microchipping, microchip scanning and identification services for foals, racehorses, performance horses and pleasure horses.
Contact our team if your horse requires microchipping, identification for registration, confirmation of an existing chip or identification as part of a Pre-Purchase Examination or sale.
BOOK A VET ☎  03 5975 6586