I like it! I planned to do one last year for a new FEI registration, per their rule. Vet came out, but found that the horse had an old breed registry chip (from 1999). It was compliant with the FEI rules, so we just wrote that number on the line and we were good to go. If the USEF is going to follow the same rules, I think we’re in good shape.
I am 1000% in favor, with an associated policy that all who pin in an age-restricted or experience-restricted class at a major show or final should have their chips scanned. Not too different from drug testing the top X!
This sounds like a great idea. My horses are all micro chipped anyway.
It will be interesting to see the outcry that will be raised.
Imagine it.
There are going to be a number of horses discovered to be already carrying chips that may prove them to be something other than what they’ve been thought to be…
:lol:
Popcorn, please.
Joidevie, did your horse’s chip contain any surprises?
Meh, I guess I’m in favor of it, but I won’t chip my horse unless/until it becomes required. I have nothing to hide, I just don’t really care for it.
[QUOTE=supershorty628;7250878]
Meh, I guess I’m in favor of it, but I won’t chip my horse unless/until it becomes required. I have nothing to hide, I just don’t really care for it.[/QUOTE]
Ditto.
I recognize the legitimate reasons for it, but it’s annoying that it will cost everyone more money to show in order to discourage the cheaters. Just like the D&M program.
And it seems silly that horses who have been showing for years in divisions that are not limited by age or experience will be included. So now 20 year old Lyle, who was just grand junior hunter champion at the National Horse Show for the second year in a row, has to get a microchip? And all his 20 year old friends that show in the 2’6" local hunters? And the 25 year old ponies that do the short stirrup divisions?
[QUOTE=MHM;7250880]
Ditto.
I recognize the legitimate reasons for it, but it’s annoying that it will cost everyone more money to show in order to discourage the cheaters. Just like the D&M program.
And it seems silly that horses who have been showing for years in divisions that are not limited by age or experience will be included. So now 20 year old Lyle, who was just grand junior hunter champion at the National Horse Show for the second year in a row, has to get a microchip? And all his 20 year old friends that show in the 2’6" local hunters? And the 25 year old ponies that do the short stirrup divisions?[/QUOTE]
I get your point, but don’t forget that Lyle is showing in a restricted division (Small Jr). What will be interesting is if they re-measure before they microchip or take the current info at face value. If they do re-measure you might find some 15-20+ year olds in a whole new division. You’ll know just what I’m talking about if you’ve been at the pony or “small” junior ring of late…
[QUOTE=supershorty628;7250878]
Meh, I guess I’m in favor of it, but I won’t chip my horse unless/until it becomes required. I have nothing to hide, I just don’t really care for it.[/QUOTE]
I feel about the same. I am not against the principle, but it’s not going to stop a 8 year old meter 1.4 horse just off the boat from showing in the Pre-greens, etc. While the problem of creating new identities for horses that have been here and have careers is, in fact, a problem I guess I’d like to see stiffer penalties on that first before making all of the non-cheaters change their processes to “try” to catch/deter the cheaters.
USEF has sporadically been able to level penalties for attempts to change identities (there was a pony incident a half dozen years ago for example) that got someone set down, but the penalty wasn’t stiff enough to really deter it and it is way too sporadic. They don’t seem willing to go for the big fish. I am not sure I am ready to hand over this control to the USEF and have the USEF dictate what vets can insert the chips, just my opinion.
[QUOTE=Sometimes;7250893]
I get your point, but don’t forget that Lyle is showing in a restricted division (Small Jr). What will be interesting is if they re-measure before they microchip or take the current info at face value. If they do re-measure you might find some 15-20+ year olds in a whole new division. You’ll know just what I’m talking about if you’ve been at the pony or “small” junior ring of late…[/QUOTE]
The current rules allow a horse to get a permanent measurement card at the age of six that stands for the rest of the horse’s life, unless the height is protested. They don’t need to reinvent the wheel by remeasuring every single pony and junior hunter.
I also think requiring microchips for horses and ponies that show in unrestricted entry level divisions such as local hunter, low adult hunter, short stirrup hunter and the like will just discourage more people from attending USEF shows. If they can do unrecognized shows without a microchip, it will just be one more reason for them to stay at that level, rather than take the next step.
Part of the problem has always been the lack of anybody willing to come forward and file a protest. That really small white Medium Pony showing Green in the Midwest was a dappled grey division Small that busted a measurement at Indoors 3 years earlier but proving it with no papers, no DNA and current owners that are new and really don’t know?
For that matter, when you buy one that’s been through several owners in various locations? How do you know what it has or has not done and is or is not eligible for? Heck, you don’t even know who, what kind or how old.
Not perfect but it’s going to be a huge step in response to member demands for better enforcement. I really doubt too many will opt for surgical tampering, not that easy and risk it will leave a mark.
I imagine the drug fee will double and include scanning, that part is what it is.
[QUOTE=JustJump;7250874]
Joidevie, did your horse’s chip contain any surprises?[/QUOTE]
Yes and no. The information we knew about him was all correct - name, breed, age, that he had been a stallion candidate. However, he came with a set of papers that were obviously wrong (not the same breed, although the color/markings were similar). I knew those were wrong when I got him, but didn’t know his actual breeding until we scanned his chip.
My horse was microchipped as a theft safety issue. A little bay QH looks pretty much like any other.
when I registered him with USEF I listed his AVID number and it is now part of his Lifetime registration. Right on the description line
I would think people would welcome the bonus of security id when it comes to life outside of the show ring.
[QUOTE=MHM;7250915]
The current rules allow a horse to get a permanent measurement card at the age of six that stands for the rest of the horse’s life, unless the height is protested. They don’t need to reinvent the wheel by remeasuring every single pony and junior hunter.
I also think requiring microchips for horses and ponies that show in unrestricted entry level divisions such as local hunter, low adult hunter, short stirrup hunter and the like will just discourage more people from attending USEF shows. If they can do unrecognized shows without a microchip, it will just be one more reason for them to stay at that level, rather than take the next step.[/QUOTE]
I am well aware of the rules re: measurement, but I am also well aware of the in-depth discussions within committees about requiring re-measurement as they are well aware of the fact that many have permanent cards for heights they don’t belong in and NOT because they grew after they were 6. My point was if you take current information at face value you will still have significant issues with the data quality.
If you only do chipping for restricted divisions, the costs will become much higher as you will then have to provide on-site chipping versus requiring chipping be done by a certain point in time (as recording numbers when those became a requirement). I don’t believe that USEF and/or Horse show managers will want to not allow horses to enter because they have not yet been microchipped – so if that low adult hunter can actually become a 3’3 a/o, etc. It’s a very complicated issue and I am sure implementation would need continuous evolution to get it right – I am just concerned costs could be more onerous than expected.
[QUOTE=Sometimes;7251061]
If you only do chipping for restricted divisions, the costs will become much higher as you will then have to provide on-site chipping versus requiring chipping be done by a certain point in time (as recording numbers when those became a requirement). I don’t believe that USEF and/or Horse show managers will want to not allow horses to enter because they have not yet been microchipped – so if that low adult hunter can actually become a 3’3 a/o, etc. It’s a very complicated issue and I am sure implementation would need continuous evolution to get it right – I am just concerned costs could be more onerous than expected.[/QUOTE]
I don’t think any horse needs to get a microchip at the show. Anyone with a horse that might show in a division restricted by age or experience should be able to think ahead enough to get the microchip done ahead of time. If they are not organized enough to to that, they can do the low hunters or whatever at that show, and call the vet when they get home to get a microchip before the next show.
I am thinking of the people who have a barn full of old campaigners, who might go to some USEF shows and some unrecognized shows each year with riders who do the lower divisions. If those people decide it’s too much trouble and expense to get microchips in all those horses, they will just stick to the unrated shows and skip the recognized ones, and attendance at USEF shows will continue to shrink, which in turn will make the USEF shows even more expensive for those who do attend them.
[QUOTE=MHM;7251093]
I don’t think any horse needs to get a microchip at the show. Anyone with a horse that might show in a division restricted by age or experience should be able to think ahead enough to get the microchip done ahead of time. If they are not organized enough to to that, they can do the low hunters or whatever at that show, and call the vet when they get home to get a microchip before the next show.
I am thinking of the people who have a barn full of old campaigners, who might go to some USEF shows and some unrecognized shows each year with riders who do the lower divisions. If those people decide it’s too much trouble and expense to get microchips in all those horses, they will just stick to the unrated shows and skip the recognized ones, and attendance at USEF shows will continue to shrink, which in turn will make the USEF shows even more expensive for those who do attend them.[/QUOTE]
Like it or not, there are a lot of horses that don’t “go home” before the next show. Sure maybe they should, but on the A circuit is is very common for horses to be gone from home for extended lengths of time. The point is we both agree, the costs could be onerous and certainly could be on those who don’t really need a chip in your opinion, but you have to remember they are doing it to track the horses lifetime not just restricted divisions so everyone at a rated show will likely have to have one. Otherwise you could have horses with ridiculous amounts of low mileage that “come back” and get a chip as a pre-green horse (which currently has no age restriction.)
I’m having a total lapse of memory about the governance structure. To whom do I write in to show my support for this rule change? It’s a proposal to the USEF by the USHJA. Is the correct point of contact my USHJA zone representative?
[QUOTE=Renn/aissance;7251361]
I’m having a total lapse of memory about the governance structure. To whom do I write in to show my support for this rule change? It’s a proposal to the USEF by the USHJA. Is the correct point of contact my USHJA zone representative?[/QUOTE]
Hi,
You could send an email to any of these people:
Bill Moroney USHJA President bill2760@aol.com
Mary Babick Chair USHJA Hunter Working Group mbabick13@gmail.com
Kelley Douglas USHJA Hunter liaison kdouglas@ushja.org
Any of us would appreciate receiving feedback.
Mary Babick
[QUOTE=Sometimes;7250901]
I feel about the same. I am not against the principle, but it’s not going to stop a 8 year old meter 1.4 horse just off the boat from showing in the Pre-greens, etc. While the problem of creating new identities for horses that have been here and have careers is, in fact, a problem I guess I’d like to see stiffer penalties on that first before making all of the non-cheaters change their processes to “try” to catch/deter the cheaters. [/QUOTE]
Coupled with the proposed rule 103.1 that reads in part “1. A Green Hunter is a horse of any age in its first or second year of showing in any hunter, jumper, hunter seat equitation orjumping seat equitation classes held at Federation Licensed competitions, Equine Canada competitions and/or FEIcompetitions in which the national specifications require horses to jump 3’6” (1.075m) or higher, regardless of whether or not thefences are actually set at 3’6" (1.075m) or higher at Regular Competitions or Eventing Competitions of the Federation, or EquineCanadaor any national or international competition. Exception: Horses six years of age and under competing over fences of 3’6"(1.075m) or higher in jumper classes at FEI competitions will retain eligibility as Green Hunters. The green status of a horse isthe responsibility of the owner. " it should deter some of the individuals who have been doing this. Stop, no.
[QUOTE=MHM;7251093]I don’t think any horse needs to get a microchip at the show. Anyone with a horse that might show in a division restricted by age or experience should be able to think ahead enough to get the microchip done ahead of time. If they are not organized enough to to that, they can do the low hunters or whatever at that show, and call the vet when they get home to get a microchip before the next show.[/QUOTE] And it’s not like vets are barred from shows. You could have a vet come to the show to microchip. Yes, HITS tried to charge outside vendors a large fee some years back, but IIRC, the braiders rebelled. My horse’s chip got installed without a sedative, though I realize that might not be possible for all horses.
Hopefully some of them already have microchips. Besides, if the cost of a microchip is going to deter you from showing at a USEF show and you show at 2’6", your budget might be better suited to non-USEF shows. Though it might deter people who want to show at their annual, geographically local USEF show as a once-a-year thing. That I definitely get.
[QUOTE=Sometimes;7251100]
Like it or not, there are a lot of horses that don’t “go home” before the next show. Sure maybe they should, but on the A circuit is is very common for horses to be gone from home for extended lengths of time. The point is we both agree, the costs could be onerous and certainly could be on those who don’t really need a chip in your opinion, but you have to remember they are doing it to track the horses lifetime not just restricted divisions so everyone at a rated show will likely have to have one. Otherwise you could have horses with ridiculous amounts of low mileage that “come back” and get a chip as a pre-green horse (which currently has no age restriction.)[/QUOTE]
Oh. Come. On.
Owners of horses that live on the road to this extent are not worrying about the dime or two it will cost them to get chipped. They can do it during any one of their quarterly injections, or maybe just get a special discount when restocking the supplies in their medicine box.
Really every DOG AND CAT is now chipped.
Maybe there could be a threshold? Horses that show in 3 or more USEF rated show in a year have to comply but other horses don’t?
I actually don’t have a problem with the rule. Or chipping my horses. I think it’s a good idea. But perhaps there could be some exception for horses that very very very rarely show rated and just want to do 1-2 special shows each year.
