Microchipping

Exported horses from 1 December 2019

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has issued a notice detailing the export requirements for live animals and microchipping.

MPI require all horses being exported from New Zealand, to be microchipped with effect from 1 December 2019.

HRNZ has supplied AsureQuality with microchips that meet the standards specified by MPI, and are coded specifically for Standardbreds.

Each microchip has a unique 15 digit code which when scanned will link to the HRNZ Infohorse database system. The microchips are the same ones that are used globally by many other racing jurisdictions.

The AsureQuality vets will insert a microchip as part of their pre export checks, when they inspect the horse.

Export Requirements for Live Animals Microchipping

Horse identification from 1 August 2020

HRNZ will introduce microchipping as a form of horse identification, from 1 August 2020.  Horses will be both microchipped and freeze branded for the 2020/21 season, with a plan to moving solely to microchipping, as a form of horse identification, from the 2021/22 season.

The freeze branders will be trained in the correct procedure for the insertion of microchips, and will microchip horses that are being identified. At this stage, there is no intention to microchip the mature horse population, except for horses that are exported.

HRNZ is currently investigating different types of scanner, and an update will be provided once this information is available.