Passports and Microchipping

Equine passports

Every horse, pony, donkey and mule in the UK must have an equine passport to comply with legislation. Passports can be obtained from a Defra authorised passport issuing society or association in the UK. These include Equine Breed Societies that have been recognised under commission decision 92/353/EC and International Organisations that manage horses for competitions or racing.

Each horse is issued with a unique 15-digit unique equine life number (UELN).

The passport records the following information:

• Record of ownership.
• Identification (including microchip number when present).
• Full medical history (including vaccinations).
• Whether the horse can be used for human consumption.
• Travel history.
• Societies with which the horse is registered.

There is considerable variation in the cost of passports, as some societies require membership before they will issue the document.

It is the responsibility of the horse’s owner to acquire a passport for their horse(s). The passport remains valid for the whole lifetime of the animal and is returned after its death.

Without a valid equine passport, it is illegal to sell or move your horse to a new keeper, to export your horse, to transport or use it in competition or for breeding. There is a hefty fine for non-compliance. Transport operators can lose their license if caught transporting horses without a valid passport.

The benefits of the equine passport scheme include:

• Looking after the welfare of your horse.
• Exercising responsible ownership.
• Safeguarding the long-term health of your horse.
• Maximising the availability of veterinary treatments for your horse.
• Increasing the variety of drugs available for pain relief and other conditions.

All foals need to be microchipped for identification within a specific time limit. All new passports must include a diagram, as well as the microchip details, etc.

You can also find the latest information here on Horse Passport Overview.

All of our vets are able to complete the necessary paperwork you need in order to apply for an equine passport.

Microchipping

Microchipping is a simple, quick, and safe procedure. The chip is inserted into the crest on the left side of the horse’s neck using a needle. The microchip carries a unique identification number that corresponds to the horse’s passport and the Petlog database.

To arrange a microchip and passport for your horse, please give us a call.