Passports & Microchipping

By law, all horses must be microchipped and have a passport. A horse must be microchipped before a passport can be issued.

It is illegal for a keeper with ‘primary care responsibilities’ (such as those caring for a horse on loan, owners, breeders, or trainers) to keep a horse without a passport, and failing to comply could result in a fine of up to £5,000.

Equine passports contain key information about the horse, including its microchip details, age, breed/type, markings, owner’s details, and records of any medications given. All foals must be issued a passport before they reach 6 months of age or by 31st December, whichever is later. Microchipping is required as part of the passport application process and must be performed by a vet. If you plan to sell or move your foal without its dam before this age, you must ensure it is microchipped and has a passport.

From 1st October 2020 it has been mandatory for all horses, ponies and donkeys in England to be microchipped.

Failure to correctly identify animals under these rules could lead to a fine.

We encourage all clients to sign the declaration in their horse’s passport confirming that the horse is not intended for human consumption. Certain medications, including bute, cannot be used if this section is not signed.

Microchipping is a straightforward, safe, and quick procedure. A microchip is implanted into the crest on the left side of the horse’s neck using a needle. This microchip carries a unique number that corresponds with the horse’s passport and is registered in the Petlog database.

To arrange your horse’s passport and microchip, you can schedule an appointment by contacting us.