| The Basics |
|
|
| Interactive RegistrationTM Extras |
|
|
|
| Thoroughbred Microchipping - Frequently Asked Questions |
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Thoroughbred Microchipping
1. Do Thoroughbreds in the United States have to be microchipped?
No, microchipping is not currently a requirement for foal registration in the United States.
2. How large is the microchip and where is it implanted in the horse?
The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted in the nuchal ligament in the left side of the animal in the middle third of the neck. To view an online instructional video from the American Association of Equine Practitioners, please see AAEP How to Implant a Microchip.
3. What is the process of obtaining a microchip and implanting it into a Thoroughbred?
Microchips for Thoroughbreds can be purchased through The Jockey Club, or through your veterinarian or supplier. To microchip a Thoroughbred, the owner should contact their veterinarian.
Only after the horse is properly identified should the microchip be implanted and reported to The Jockey Club through Interactive RegistrationTM (IR) located at http://www.registry.jockeyclub.com. IR requires a user ID and password, which can be obtained by signing up through the website or calling The Jockey Club Registry Office at (800) 444-8521. Use of IR is subject to The Jockey Club's Terms and Conditions of Use for registry.jockeyclub.com. After logging on to IR, click on the Microchip Requesting, Reporting & Lookup banner in the Quick Links section on the left side of the page and follow the step-by-step instructions. Help screens are available.
4. What are the advantages of microchipping a Thoroughbred?
When used in conjunction with the official markings described on the Certificate of Foal Registration, microchips provide a convenient additional layer of confidence when establishing the identity of a Thoroughbred. Microchips may be helpful in establishing identity of Thoroughbreds involved in breeding operations, domestic or international travel, and in the event a horse is lost or stolen.
5. How do I read the microchip in my Thoroughbred?
Microchips supplied by The Jockey Club can be read with an ISO 11785 compliant microchip reader such as the Destron-Fearing Pocket EX available from Digital Angel. A number of other readers are also available from your veterinarian or veterinary supplier. You must ensure the reader you select is ISO 11785 compliant and can detect ISO compliant 11784 134.2 KHz radio frequency identification devices. For more information on microchip readers, please see the links below.
6. Can I acquire a microchip reader from The Jockey Club?
No. Please consult your veterinarian or the suppliers listed below for more information to acquire microchip readers.
7. If the owner of a microchipped Thoroughbred doesn’t know its name or pedigree, can The Jockey Club help identify the horse using its microchip number?
If an owner knows the horse’s microchip number and the microchip number has been reported to The Jockey Club, limited identification information on record with The Jockey Club about that horse can be obtained through Interactive Registration™ (IR) located at www.registry.jockeyclub.com. After logging on to IR, click on the Microchip Requesting, Reporting & Lookup banner in the Quick Links section on the left side of the page and follow the simple step-by-step instructions. Help screens are available. Identification information includes the horse’s name (if named), year of birth, gender, color and dam’s name.
8. Will The Jockey Club provide a horse’s microchip number if the horse’s name is provided?
No. A microchip number cannot be retrieved based on a horse’s name.
9. How much does it cost to microchip a Thoroughbred?
Microchips are available through The Jockey Club for $10.00 per microchip, which includes shipping and handling. Kentucky and New York residents will also be charged applicable sales tax. There is no fee to report a microchip number to The Jockey Club. It is recommended, however, that a veterinarian implant the microchip in the horse so additional fees may be associated with implantation.
10. Can microchip numbers be reported to The Jockey Club by phone?
No. Microchip numbers can be reported to The Jockey Club only through Interactive Registration™ (IR). If you do not have access to IR, please call the Registry for assistance at (800) 444-8521.
11. What if a mistake was made when reporting a microchip number to The Jockey Club?
If a mistake was made when reporting a microchip number to The Jockey Club, the owner should send a written, signed statement to The Jockey Club indicating the name of the horse and the incorrect microchip number. Once The Jockey Club invalidates the number, the owner can report the correct microchip number via Interactive Registration™.
12. Are Thoroughbreds microchipped in other countries?
Yes, a number of countries around the world already microchip Thoroughbreds, including Great Britain, Ireland, France, Japan, Germany, South Africa, and Australia.
13. What is a premises? What is a PIN?
A “premises” is defined by the NAIS as “a unique and describable geographic location where activity affecting the health and/or traceability of animals may occur.” Such locations include farms, ranches, and any other location where livestock are raised, held, or boarded.
A premises identification number (PIN) is a unique, 7-digit code that includes both letters and numbers. The owner of the premises, or a person designated by the owner of the premises, can register his/her location. A premises identification number, or PIN, is then permanently assigned to that location associating it with the mailing address. It is important to remember that the premises identification number is assigned permanently to a physical location. If an owner or entity sells his/her farm, the next operators of the premises use the original premises identification number that had been assigned to that location. If the seller buys a new location to build a new operation that never had livestock, he/she would register that location and obtain a new premises identification number. To find out more about the NAIS or to register your premises, please visit http://www.usaha.org/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf and contact your state vet’s office. Depending upon your state, premises registration may be available on-line at their individual website.
14. Why do I have to register my premises to purchase a microchip from The Jockey Club?
The Jockey Club is distributing NAIS-compliant microchips that begin with 840, the numerical code for the United States. In order to receive an 840 chip, the end consumer must have a premises identification number (PIN).
15. If my horse is located at another premises, do I still include my PIN when ordering a microchip from The Jockey Club?
No, the microchip should be mailed to the horse’s location. Therefore, the premises identification number (PIN) (and mailing address) should be for the farm where the horse is located.
16. Can I purchase a microchip for my horse if it was foaled in Canada and still resides there?
No, The Jockey Club only supplies microchips for horses residing in the United States. However, if a Canadian (or foreign-bred horse) is microchipped with a chip from another source, the microchip number can be reported to The Jockey Club through Interactive Registration™.
What if my horse was foaled in Canada, but now resides in the United States?
If the horse is now located in the United States and a valid premises identification number (PIN) is provided, The Jockey Club can supply a microchip for a Canadian-bred horse.
17. What if my horse is in Puerto Rico or another US Territory?
The Jockey Club can supply microchips to horses foaled and residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, and all US Territories.
18. What kind of microchips is The Jockey Club selling?
Microchips available from The Jockey Club are ISO 11784- and NAIS-compliant microchips manufactured by Digital Angel. These microchips contain a unique, 15-character number beginning with 840 (the country code for United States).
19. Once I have implanted the microchip from The Jockey Club, what other steps are required?
Once the microchip is implanted, you should log on to Interactive Registration™ (IR) and report the microchip number using the online Microchip Requesting, Reporting & Lookup module. Microchip numbers are not associated with a specific horse until reported to The Jockey Club by the owner or breeder. If you do not have access to IR, please call the Registry for assistance at (800) 444-8521.
20. Do I have to use 840 microchips?
No, you are free to purchase manufacturer-code microchips from your veterinarian or a separate vendor. You should then report these microchip numbers into the free online Microchip Requesting, Reporting & Lookup module via Interactive Registration™ located at www.registry.jockeyclub.com. The Jockey Club provides only 840 microchips to maintain compliance with USDA animal identification initiatives and consistency among international Thoroughbred Stud Book Authorities.
21. Can I purchase a microchip from The Jockey Club for my non-Thoroughbred horse?
The Jockey Club sells microchips only to customers who have conducted registration-related activity with the Registry. Thoroughbred owners or breeders who have horses of other breeds on the same premises should consult the responsible breed authority for specific information on microchipping those breeds. As a convenience, however, such mixed breed operations may obtain ”840” microchips from The Jockey Club for all horses located on the premises. If you are not a Thoroughbred owner or breeder, microchips may be available for other breeds through the responsible breed authority or directly from Digital Angel by calling (561) 276-0477.
Helpful Links
Is this enough information?
Yes, please return me to the last page I visited.
No, I'd like to fill out a feedback form and receive additional help.
|
|
|
