CHIP

The Canadian Horse Identification Program (CHIP), is a voluntary, national equine ID and traceability program open to all equines born and/or living in Canada regardless of age, breed, use or discipline. The CHIP protects the health, welfare, and identification of Canada’s equine population while promoting responsible ownership. The program supports registration and microchipping as the premier method of identification and works with owners, vets, breed associations and sport organizations nationally and internationally, following standardized identification methods and implantation sites.

Equestrian Canada has been allocated a series of identification numbers for equines by the CFIA, in order to ensure the uniqueness of individual microchip numbers used to identify equines in the CHIP traceability program. The ‘124-000’ prefix designates that the microchip ID numbers are unique to Canada under the ISO international standards 11784 and 11785, and that the number is in a series allocated by CFIA.

Every Horse Counts

The CHIP program proudly includes all equines from the Equidae/Horse Family, such as horses, donkeys, mules, hinnies, and zebras. The CHIP program proudly includes all equines from the Equidae/Horse Family, such as horses, donkeys, mules, hinnies, and zebras. Any equine born and/or living in Canada is eligible to enroll into the CHIP program regardless of age, breed, use or career. As more equines enroll the more we are able to learn about our Canadian herd. This information has only been estimated or surveyed to date, and is something the equine industry needs to stay strong and be sustainable in Canada. Further, this data provides valuable insights needed to support much needed Government programs to the sector.

The 124-000 Microchips.

Equestrian Canada has been allocated a series of identification numbers for equines by the CFIA, in order to ensure the uniqueness of individual microchip numbers used to identify equines in the CHIP traceability program. The ‘124-000’ prefix designates that the microchip ID numbers are unique to Canada (124) under the ISO international standards 11784 and 11785, and that the number is in a series allocated by CFIA (000). Once implanted in the equine, the microchip is guaranteed for the life of the equine.

Our partner EIDAP has established themselves as a leader in companion animal identification and trusted partner for veterinarians, breeders, and animal welfare organizations. EIDAP is the supplier and distributor of the 124-000 equine microchips made by TROVAN, which are manufactured in Germany to the highest quality standards and are ICAR certified.  The 124-000 microchips are exclusively available to veterinarians and EC’s Category C breed associations in Canada.

Benefits of the CHIP Initiative:

• Proudly Canadian! The CHIP unites the equine industry and owners under one program so important government programs for equines can continue.
• An industry-driven voluntary equine ID/Traceability program in Canada so equine owners can keep up with changing regulations and requirements as needed
• Unique 15-digit ISO compliant 11784 and 11785 microchip with the ‘124-000’ prefix (for Canada) exclusive to the program and to equines born and/or living in Canada.
• Microchipping is a reliable and globally accepted method of providing permanent and quick identification of equines for life, especially in the case of competition, travel and reunification.
• Provides all the benefits similarly found with companion animals like cats and dogs. Horses do get lost, stolen or can escape at any time. Quick recovery and reunification are needed during these times to prevent injuries or death, especially when natural disasters hit ie. forest fires, floods, tornados, hurricanes, etc.
• Future tech development includes a national information-sharing platform supporting accurate data collection from cradle to grave for each equine.
• Equine and owner data are stored in Canada, with owner permissions and consents in place.
• Promotion of Canadian-bred equines: global recognition and growth for Canadian breeders
• Addresses concerns about equine health and history for life, disease control, verifiable and permanent identification and proof of ownership any time, any where.
• The 124-000 microchip meets international standards and compliance requirements for breed organizations, international transport, sport organizations. It is guaranteed for the life of the equine.
• Over time, data collected in the equine registry will aid in assessing economic impacts, industry statistics, performance measurements, research opportunities, emergency management planning, forecasting, equine herd populations, etc., all for the benefit of equine, owner and industry.

Why Microchip and Register Your Equine: Registering your microchipped equines in the CHIP national database is beneficial for owners for several reasons.

Accurate Identification & Proof of Ownership: Microchips provide a permanent form of quick identification that is much more reliable than brands, tattoos, or paper records, which can be lost or altered. Registration in the CHIP database provides proof of ownership when you need it the most.

The microchip number and identification records stay with the horse for life, no matter what career or purpose future owners may have in mind. On average, horses change ownership six to seven times in their lifetime — having permanent records provides lasting security and peace of mind knowing your horse’s identity is always protected.

Recovery and Peace of Mind: In case your equine gets lost or stolen, a microchip can help reunite you with your equine friend quickly when registered in a database. Horses often escape or run freely when fences are down, during natural disasters, fires, etc. A quick recovery is what all owners want and the 124-000 microchip + registration can help do that by providing accurate animal identification and ownership information.

Safety, Security, Traceability: Each equine’s identification, history, health records, and ownership are accurately documented for the life of the equine, from owner to owner*. This not only protects the welfare of the animals but also helps in maintaining breed integrity and manages disease outbreaks more effectively, given that equines are on the move more than any other livestock species. By taking this step, equine owners contribute to a safer and more organized equine community for the life of each equine.

*based on owner consents, permissions, inputs, and technology development stages.

Confidence Comes with Compliance: In some countries, microchipping is required by law, specific breed registries or sport organizations. By using the ‘124-000’ microchip it ensures you are meeting current international standards for microchips in these countries and meeting unique ID requirements as needed by regulations or organizations.

As the CHIP platform develops, health certificates, vaccination and health records can all be stored in your equine’s account.

How to Get Your Equine Microchipped: The ‘124-000’ microchips are available through vets and EC-affiliated breed registries. Talk to your veterinarian to have your equine microchipped with the ‘124-000’ equine microchip or contact your breed registry so they can place their orders with EIDAP Inc.

Registering Your Equine and Ownership:  The Canadian Horse Identification Program (CHIP) strives to meet the needs of owners through various enhancements to the registration. The Basic registration is included in the cost of the 124-000 microchip and can be done in the EIDAP portal. Premium features are available through the EIDAP portal for 124-000 chipped equines and offer more opportunities to include meaningful information about your equine. The cost for the Premium is $24.95 + tax, paid once in the lifetime of the equine. For those equines that are microchipped with other numbers than the 124-000 series, access to the CHIP portal is only available via the Premium registration currently ($24.95 + tax). The free Basic registration for this group of microchipped equines is currently under development. Updates to follow. Transfer of ownership is always free. See the Q & A below for more information.

The unique , country-coded ‘124-000’ microchip is available for Canadian equines born and/or domiciled in Canada, not previously microchipped. Equines include all horses, donkeys, mules, asses, and zebras regardless of use, age, discipline or breed.

Microchips in conjunction with registration into the CHIP database, provide a permanent form of identification that is much more reliable than brands, tattoos, or paper records, which can be lost or altered. Together they address concerns about equine health and history for life, disease control, verifiable and permanent identification, proof of ownership and much more.

The ‘124-000’ microchip follows ISO 11784/11785 standards to ensure uniqueness, using the CFIA allocated number range for equine identification and traceability, 15 digits in total. The 124-000 microchip meets national and international standards for breed associations, international travel, and sport organizations (USEF, FEI).

Please contact orders@eidap.com to place your orders for microchips and/or readers. Basic registration of the equine and owner in the CHIP-EIDAP database is included in the cost of the microchip. Owners with 124-000 chipped equines can upgrade to Premium Features at any time. For those equines that are microchipped with other numbers than the 124-000 series, access to the CHIP portal is only available via the Premium registration at this time ($24.95 + tax). The free Basic registration for this group of microchipped equines is currently under development. Updates to follow. Transfer of ownership is always free. Questions? Please email chip@equestrian.ca or orders@eidap.com.

Videos and Resources For Microchipping Equines

Choosing the unique ‘124-000’ microchip ensures global recognition and growth for Canadian breeders. It also allows for accurate tracking and pedigree verification, which is essential in maintaining breed standards.

The ‘124-000’ microchip follows ISO 11784/11785 standards to ensure uniqueness, using the CFIA allocated number range for equine identification, 15 digits in total.

Equestrian Canada’s country-coded ‘124-000’ microchip is available only to Canadian equines born and/or domiciled in Canada. Equines include all horses, donkeys, mules, asses, and zebras regardless of use, discipline and breed. Basic registration into the national CHIP-EIDAP database is included in the cost of the microchip. It is not recommended to microchip an equine twice.

Note that Breed Associations must be registered with Equestrian Canada and part of Category C membership prior to ordering microchips. Category C Breed Associations can contact orders@eidap.com to place orders for the 124-000 microchips and/or readers. The 124-000 microchips are available in packages of 10 or 50.

Questions?  Please email: chip@equestrian.ca for questions about the ordering process or to become a Category C member with Equestrian Canada.

Videos and resources For Microchipping Equines

For more information on pricing and ordering the 124-000 microchips or scanners please contact orders@eidap.com. Orders are open to veterinarians and Equestrian Canada Category C Breed Associations only.  Please contact CHIP@equestrian.ca for any questions about the ordering process or about Category C memberships for Breed Associations.

What are the benefits of microchipping an equine?

Microchips and registration in the CHIP database can quickly reunite equines with their owners in the event of accidents, theft or natural disasters. Compared to using physical descriptions or relying on tattoos or brands. They can also be used to monitor animal movement, trace animals during disease outbreaks, and prevent fraud at competitions. Microchipping provides a quick form of identification when scanned by veterinarians, breeders, buyers, officials, etc. It is often done only once in an equine’s life, and during spring or fall vaccinations, or shortly after an equine is born. Microchips are paired with a database to identify an equine’s owner and place of residency, and other important information. The CHIP program encourages use of the 124-000 microchip for equines with enrolment into the CHIP-EIDAP database (included in the cost of the microchip).

How do microchips work?

Microchips are small, electronic circuits that use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Each microchip has a unique 15 digit number that can be read by a hand-held scanner. They are not a GPS and cannot confirm location of an equine.

Where is the microchip implanted?

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted into the equine’s upper lip or in the nuchal ligament on the left side, about halfway up the neck between the withers and poll – this is the international standard for implant location.  It is important to check with your breed registry and/or sport organization to confirm preferred or mandated implantation site.

Where can I get a ‘124-000’ microchip?

You can request a ‘124-000’ microchip for your equine from a veterinarian or breed registry. Your vet will make the arrangements with you for the implant appointment. Your equine must have been born in Canada and/or reside in Canada.

How do I register an equine’s microchip in the CHIP registry?

Equines microchipped with the ‘124-000’ microchip are automatically registered in the CHIP database for basic registration by the veterinarian or breed registry.

For those equines that are microchipped with other numbers than the 124-000 series, access to the CHIP portal is only available via the Premium registration at this time ($24.95 + tax).  The free Basic registration for this group of microchipped equines is currently under development.  Updates to follow. Transfer of ownership is always free.

What should I do if my equine has multiple microchips?

You should report the ID number for each microchip into the CHIP registry and let your veterinarian and breed association know. It is important to record all working microchip numbers.

How long do microchips last?

Microchipping is usually done once for the life of the equine. They are a permanent form of identification. The 124-000 microchips meet extremely high quality control standards and are guaranteed for the life of the equine. Some lesser quality microchips may be difficult to read or do not last. We do not recommend using microchips that are not from ICAR certified manufacturers and do not have a guarantee for the life of the equine.

How much does it cost to microchip my equine? Is registration free?

The cost of microchipping varies from vet to vet as there may be fees associated with travel, sedation, implantation, etc. besides the cost of the actual ‘124-000’ microchip. The fee on average is $100 per equine which is considered very low given the huge benefits. Basic Registration for the equine is included in the cost of the 124-000 microchip. Many owners combine microchipping with their equine’s vaccination schedule or yearly check up to save costs. Owners can also access Premium features for $24.95 + tax paid once for the life of the equine. Transfer of ownership is always at no charge and the Premium upgrade is carried forward to the new owner. The fees are one-time over the life of the equine, for the microchip + registration. The optional registration upgrade to Premium is also a one-time cost.  No yearly or ongoing fees are associated with the CHIP program.

Are all equine microchips compliant with international standards?

No, some microchips already in equines are 10 digits long and do not follow the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Non-compliant microchips cannot always be scanned. To be compliant with international standards, they must contain 15 digits and follow ISO 11784 and 11785 standards. The ‘124-000’ microchips follow these standards. Other microchips on the market may not be ‘equine exclusive’ like the 124-000s, or do not follow the ISO standards which may present problems scanning and reading the numbers leading to the equine needing to be re-chipped.

Can I search for my equine in the microchip look-up tool?

Yes, if the registration process was completed.  The microchip look-up tool is located at https://www.eidap.com/microchip-lookup/.  EIDAP is also connected to the Trovan microchip look-up site and the AAHA microchip look-up which is associated with multiple registries in Canada and USA.  Please have your 15 digit microchip number handy for the look-up. On the EIDAP site owner information and contact information will be shown if those fields have been properly filled out.  It is important to update the information in the EIDAP database whenever there is a transfer of ownership, in the event the animal is missing.

Can I post a missing alert if my horse gets lost?

Yes, whether you have the Basic or Premium registration, you can post that your equine is missing on your animal’s profile. It will show up on the microchip look-up page under the equine’s microchip number search.  Once the equine has been found, you can take the alert down.  This feature is only available for microchipped equines, registered in the CHIP-EIDAP database.