Thought you guys might have experience with this. My horse was imported from England in 2010 and I am wondering whether his microchip can be read here or if they use a different system. If so, do I just put in another one or does the old one have to come out? Thanks!
I believe we have in Europe a different system…
Is this a TB or what info are you trying to seek? All of Europe has the same system. What that system is I don’t know.
Terri
I’m just trying to figure out if he needs rechipped or if I can just have my info input into the current system. But it sounds like he will have to be rechipped. I guess my vet would know!
I would venture to say that you can find out if the readers are available in the US. I’d say they are. The only info you will get is a number. If you don’t have papers not much help. If you don’t have papers but the registry that’s a start. Also the first few numbers are a country code so that will help to a degree.
Good luck.
Terri
I have the chip number–it is on his passport. I know his history. I was just trying to figure out if his chip could be read here.
There was a discussion at the USEA meeting about an FEI requirement (starting in 2013) that all horses applying for FEI passports need to be microchipped.
No one said anything about needing different chips for different countries, so I am pretty sure an English microchip can be read here.
If he was imported recently it should be a 16 digit ISO chip which are now considered to be universal, most chips and readers are this frequency ( I think its 125 Hz). Not sure what system it would be registered in to update the owner info. If it were a dog you just go to.microchiplookup.com to identify the company.
If only!!:lol::lol: Thanks everyone!
They should be able to read it here, all horses when they land are scanned! Freaked me out when they had a really hard time finding my mare’s chip on her large neck!
My mother is going through this with an imported Selle Francais mare that we have that is microchipped. We were told that USDA has a machine to read European microchips and that someone can come out to our farm to read the chip. Simple as that!
It takes what is called a "Universal " reader. I suggest that you call your USDA person- they can direct you to a vet that can read it !
Of it you are like me and own a universal chip reader – your vet borrows it when it is needed! :lol: The readers are not cheap, but Fjords typically are chipped, so I have one. I don’t like having to wait for a reader to be found.
Ironwood, I wish you were nearer!
I am getting the run around right now! Frustrating!
Having the chip number and the age of the horse should identify which reader is needed. I had a 1997 model mare chipped in Europe whose chip was readable easily by the vet here. Newer chips should be more universal, I believe.
