Microchipping my horse?
Mar 18, 2010
in
Tornado Questions
So…I just moved out to the midwest and finally realized yesterday that, yes, they do get tornados and no, you do not get much warning when they are coming.
My horse has only been at his new barn a few days and it is 15 miles out in the middle of nowhere. So my worry is that he will get out/be let out in a tornado, be completely freaked out because he is a sunny california horse who has never experienced wind speeds over 15mph, and go decide to join the mustangs by running off miles into the fields.
Would it be worth it to get him a chip? My dogs are chipped, but how do horse ones work? Are they usually something checked when a horse is found? How much do they cost?
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7 comments
LBentforLeather!! on March 18, 2010 at 9:25 am
Micro-chipping is worthless. No, they’re not routinely checked when found. If a loose horse is found, as often as not, they get a ride in a double-decker. Slaughterhouses cut them out and discard.
Contrary to what you are led to believe It will not assure you of recovering any chipped animal.
There is evidence that the "harmless" chip causes cancer
If you want ownership of a lost horse recognised, get a freeze brand or a firebrand. Freeze brands show up white and can be seen at a distance. Don’t fall victim to the Government ploy of chipping your horses. (or any other animal)
Chipping is NOT A GPS locater. I would consider that as long as it was a completely iindependent non-government affiliated, private company.
USDA has given up the National Animal Identification System due to overwhelming public opposition but you can look here http://www.NoNias.org. to find out why.
That said, they have NOT given up on chipping/ID-ing any animal they can.
I will NEVER microchip ANY animal of mine.
PixiestickEMT on March 18, 2010 at 9:25 am
I recently got my horse chipped. Its about as small as a grain of rice and goes into the right side of the neck just an inch away from the mane. Its pretty cheap actually my vet charged 15 to put it in (and of course more for the farm call)! lol… anyway the way it works is that you have a specific number that corresponds with the chip in your horse. If the horse is lost, stolen or runs away from home, the humane society will run a monitor over the neck when the horse is found, producing the number and all of the horse’s medical background as well as your info and contact info. As soon as your horse is missing, you call the number of the registry for the chip (I have mine programmed into my phone) and they put out a notice, almost like when a car is stolen, then as soon as the horse is found it is trailered back to you! You have to register online with the company and that is a 75 fee, for life! I love the fact my horse has a chip, its comforting to me! I honestly think it would be worth it in your case! Hope I helped!
*Caution: Fresh Paint* on March 18, 2010 at 9:25 am
Well, My dogs coasted $20 each so its probably around there somewhere. I’m not sure, but I think they check for microchips. I think it would be worth getting, Just is case!
Keep a halter on him so if he does get out with the mustangs when they round them up (Such an awful thing… :""""( ) they will know its a personal horse, not a mustang. Good luck, Hope this helps! 
Ehawlz on March 18, 2010 at 9:25 am
Anymore, horses are usually scanned for chips, so it would be a good idea to get him microchipped. It’s not that expensive, even.
Or, you could just get a silver sharpie, and write your name and phone number on his side.
Cameraman(woman) on March 18, 2010 at 9:25 am
I don’t know how much they are but YES! My horse kept getting out our garden, we live quite near to the vets and they have a nice green patch of grass (you see why he was drawn to it! haha) so he went there and he was microchip checked and we got him back!
If you do, i’d have it done by a good vet, it sounds odd but my dog was done by a bad vet and it got lost, in her back, god knows how!
Zena Warrior Princess on March 18, 2010 at 9:25 am
If your horse escapes and somebody finds it, there’s no guarantee that they will scan it for a microchip. However, if somebody finds it and takes it to an animal shelter/sanctuary or a veterinary clinic/hospital, chances are, they will. In either case, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Just a couple precautions: follow the directions that come with the chip i.e. disinfect the insertion area before inserting the chip and make sure you insert it in the right place. If you’re not sure about the procedure, have your vet do it. Improperly inserted microchips can cause infections and/or can move to other areas of the body via the blood stream. Also, make sure the chip works (scan it) before you insert it, you don’t want to have to surgically remove it if it’s found to be defective.
Funchy on March 18, 2010 at 9:25 am
The cost should be $40 or less. It’s something very easy to do. If you can give your own vaccines, you can ‘chip a horse.
You will need a scanner to verify placement. You might be able to borrow or rent one from an animal shelter, vet office, or rescue nearby.
I work for a rescue which chips every horse. I also recommend registering the chip, so people can find you based in the chip id #.