Readers Tell Us What They Think About Horse Licensing

Exactly 1,600 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “Are you in favor of horse licensing as identification?”

results of poll on horse licensing

Results were as follows:

No 73.19% (1,171)
Yes 17.13% (274)
I don’t know 9.69% (155)

Readers shared their feelings about a possible license requirement for their horses in the comments below.

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if a horse gets sick i can look to make sure my horse don’t get it
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! A law like that will only excerbate the unwanted horse problem.
Another way to tax us.
identification for lost horses
We already have too much governmental interference in our daily lives.
people that keep horses should be made to give them shelter from adverse weather conditions
Req. govt monitoring,fees,etc. more gov. less freedom. Period.
too expensive for breeders, recordkeeping nightmare
It still won’t stop those people who are just plain bad horse owners and it “taxes” the good ones.
To track lost OTTBs
it will mean less horses are stolen
No!
so when they are stolen you can use it as a secondary look
Too much government intervention in my life as it is.
In mainland Europe, my horse is already micrchipped and pasported. That’s enough.
A brand or microchip should be sufficient
It is just another expense that will not help the recognition of stolen horses.
THEY ARE STILL LIVESTOCK IN MY BOOK
I’m tired of government oversight and intrusion into our lives.
It’s just a money-maker for the municipalities. Good photos or physical markers are as good/better
Maybe on rabies vaccination with tags for horses, like cats & dogs.
will slow the back yard & other breeders from producing inferior & genetically poor horses
our goverment is too BIg already
Just another way for the government to track everyone. Invasion of privacy.
We already do enough with registering horses, don’t need more paperwork.
Not a government issue,to much big brother act
slippery slope. Slaughter horses need tracking as transfer & transport safe guard
im a professional in the equine field, too many people are ignorant about basic equine care
My breed of horses ( Friesian) are required to be microchiped already.
The goverment does not need to know any more about my life than they do now
just another useless tax and invasion of privacy.
To much government control is asking for trouble.
my business only
because its yours
Another way for government to control our private affairs. Cannot see any real benefit .
Takes away more of my rights as an individual
What is horse licensing?
Need more information
That is what brands are for.
another useless expensive beaurocracy
just an extra hassle
more fees, more taxes…..they are livestock, more regulations, absolutely no licensing,
We already have mandatory EIA testing in our state if we want to move a horse off the property.
Just one more thing to do, although I support microchipping and rabies shots
More government does not equal better lives for human or animal.
need to maintain induvidual rights.
this will aid in tracking horses, be it lost, stolen, sold or ill, and their offspring
Licensing will simply provide another government intrusion. Microchipping would be more appropriate.
I have over 70 head of horses, That’s all I need is more expenditure for something needless.
I think something more like $10 for non-breeding stock and 25 – 50 for breeding stock is a good idea
It sounds way too complicated to me!!! What about the horse dealers? Auctions?
for safety if horse gets out , stolen, or lost
Too many licenses already
This country was founded on freedom, not communistic govermental rule.
my horse is microchipped for safety & ID
To what end and to whose benefit?
this is for horses and horse owners. Other animals should have their own site.
Az used to have hauling papers, we need something.
idk i am a kid
Government control.
A rezounding NO!
Just adding more red tape – I think we have enough of it elsewhere in our lives.
I’m sick of our govt. needing to know every move we make in our lives.
no more gov’t interference
It will encourage owners to be more responsible.
to much like big brother
a good way to make theft difficult
Just another way picking our pockets
I don’t see the need – it’s just one more expense.
Because I do not want the government having control over, ie, how many allowed on a property.
would this really help if the horse were stolen? prob not
I love Horses and I Think They Should Be Able To Use a Horse License as Long as it has Identificatio
where would they wear the license?
No real reason for it
I think that people need to responsible owners and keep track of their livestock .
Cost. ID can be done with branding, tatooing.
this will not solve any horse theft and it will also add to the strain of the horse comminity
Not as it was written in NH (cost too high). I am not opposed to the NAIS tracking system
Horses that have numbered brands do it, why not all horses in some way? Microchips?
In FL, where animal control is gestapo, it would be used against owners… and the funds wasted.
this country already has too much “Big Brother” intrusion.
I hope it will discourage overbreeding
a cogginsshould be sufficent
makes theft & insurance fraud more difficult
Cost and too much government intervention
As it is my horses are registered with USEA, USEF, & USHJA already. I don’t need another organizat
We don’t need government oversight!
It smacks of big brother
This plan will be costly if you have a lot of horses. Leave it to individual owners.
There are enough rules and paperwork in life already. Theft is relatively rare.
rediculous
we have enough expenses all ready. i
would consider microchipping for one-time identification; licensing=expensive beaurocratic nightmare
Only if it helps locate a missing or stolen horse; NOT to be used as a purpose for taxation
does depend on the fee. is it going to be once a year or life time of the horse/owner?
licensing is just another big brother way to overregulate us and provide an additional tax base
Gee, charge us more money while some can’t even affored hay to feed – *headdesk*
Just another way for government to be involved in what is someones private rights!
most dogs arn’t even licenced, this is an outrage
it is an added expense that doesn’t identify a lost , missing or stolen horse, just adds revenue
That’s why we have microchips.
This just gives the goverment more info to apply more taxes
Aren’t we taxed enough?
Get the government OUT of our business!They only mess things up
no need for government involvement
No ones damn business!
licensure is not a sure deterent of theft; perhaps microchipping or DNA analysis can work
It’s just a way for municipalities to make money. I can’t imagine having to license my brood mares.
Already have measures in place for disease control plus the cost to the owners is way too much!!!
Horses are and have been considered livestock. This will be unmanageable.
i do not want gov’t telling me what i can or can’t do with my horse. big brother!
I am tired of everyone wanting to know everything and next they will tell me when and how often use.
If someone where there to enforce it.
WE ARE TAXED ENOUGH FOR EVERY THING WE DO
Yes! Put the money back into rescue facilities.
it would be more government intrution into private ownership
It is just another way for the government to get into our business
youhave a license to dry a car yet anyone with no knowledge of the animal can own and ride a horse c
We have cogginspapers and mocrochips, freeze brands etc to identify
Not convinced it would be managed properly nor there would be much benefit.
Government has no business counting or monitoring my horses
expensive for multiple horse owners
It’s just the gov trying to get into the taxpayer’s pockets again. Totally unnecessary.
absolutely not. It’s just a waste of government money. They don’t need to track horses.
I don’t want to be spending any more money!
Not needed. Will drive many hobby horse folks out of horses.
It’s another bill.
Don’t mandate horse licensing. It’s Big Brother. If someone wants to chip or brand, then that’s fine
Too many horses are ending up at auctions w.o papers and loosing their identities.
I don’t I do believe in free classes or clinics on horseownership for the public interested.
What purpose would it serve?
I don’t need BIG BROTHER involved in my horse business or finding another way to TAX me
Absolutely not! This will give the government another way to track, tax and control your animals!!
basically it would just be another tax
for people that buy and sell it would be a nightmare
there would be no benefit-just extra expense for govt misuse of funds
For health tracking and curbing indiscriminate breeding, it’s a good idea.
to help prevent horse theft
IfIcan’t take czre of it, I don’t buy it
It would be much too expensive to those of us with multiple animals
HSUS is an animal rights lobbying agency
ITS JUST ANOTHER COST THAT THE HORSE INDUSTRY DOENST NEED!!! PEOPLE ALREADY CANT AFFORD HORSES
it would replace carring the pass port, and would prove owner ship, age ect.
the is some great horses out there and i feel it would keep them from getting stolen.
Then there is less horses being taken and sold
Just what we need, more government in our lives. Dishonest people will always find a way around
Someone will decide to charge for this just like licensing your dog.
vet records, eg.
What was in it for Skinder?
in many states there is no way to track a horse’s ownership.
If people can’t identify their own animals, they shouldn’t have them.
NOT if it involves being classified as a “companion animal” and getting PETA involved.
For identification I can CHOOSE on my own to microchip without having another gov agency involved
more fee’s for something not necessary
its more expensive in the U.K we still pay for a license for our horses
oyr horses are branded
I feel horse licensing should be voluntary, requiring it is just more government red tape
Only if it is like a microchip. Must be permanent-transferable
it makes it easier when tracing history on these horses
THIS WILL LEAD TO DECLARING A VALUE OF THE HORSE TO THE GOVERMENT AND THEN BIG TAXES WILL FOLLOW
The givt screws up every freedom it touches.
privacy reasons
How much more is it going to cost to own a horse?
Big Brother is intrusive enough already, thank you. I don’t need the gov’t deeper in my pockets.
horses have other means of ID- brands, tattoos, chips
good for horses that are not breed registered
If you can’t afford to vaccinate and license your horse, you don’t need it.
Our horses are registered by AQHA, don’t need another gov. regulation and fee to pay
Mine are chipped, but maybe licensing would stop irresponsible breeding
It would only effect horse breeders..and they should be more careful about creating unwanted horses
Licensing is just another useless expense.
My horses are registered with pictures to identify them. They are paints, no2alike!PlusLESS govmt.
I’m sure the government will find a way to tax licensed horses too.
I don’t feel it’s necessary. Plus it’s never as inexpensive of an idea as the politicians say it is
I don’t think compliance will be high, ergo not effective
NO because its not about ID – its money, control & regulation
Another expense and Gov. telling me what to do with my animals.
Too Expensive
Absolutely NOT!
We don’t need government involved in our lives anymore than they already are.
government already controls too much
Need more info.
Sounds good, but might be expensive to administer.
just what horsepeople, more incompentent government bureaucrats sticking their noses in our business
financial impact on multiple horse owners
A ploy by government factions in order to be able to ‘tax’ horses – at least here in Australia –
too much government!
I aggree with state legislature. but need some way to track unregistered horses.
Interesting idea, but more specifics needed to form an opinion.
too much government control already
I can’t afford to pay anymore than I do!!!
It’s one more hit in horse owners’ pocketbooks and is worthless.
It is not a matter of identifying the horse you could put that license on a horse just like the o
NO. We don’t need yet another layer of government
Just another Goverment thing to “Run A Muck”
Another bureaucratic boondoogle
sounds like another scheme to make money, just like always
if you cannot afford an extra $25, you cannot afford a horse!
Aside from the costs of the program, don’t we have enough government in our lives? Good grief!
Horses are expensive enough, I don’t see the purpose for it
No, for example Friesians are chipped at the Keuring, and other states require a brand inspection,
Unnecessary expense
because it’s no one’s business but my own. Too close to NAIS for me. Big Brother????
Why license when microchipping is available? More added expense on foster care
Horses are livestock, not dogs! It would be catastrophic to the business will all this would entail
As in dog licensing, the funds should be returned for equine welfare or related needs.
taxes = waste of MY money
Only if it is an implanted GPS locator chip. Otherwise, don’t bother.
microchipping is better
As a one time thing. Not a license that needs to be renewed each year. Only when ownership changes
If I choose to ID my horse, I will use microchips, not be forced into an ID system
it should ONLY be done by choice
Maybe in such a way, that not every horse has to have one, just a select few…
it wont serve the horses and the people that truely care for them.
would be too burdensome financially
Why?
Another waste of time and money for a horse owner.
new hampshire tried to pass this, it will put stables out of business
just one step closer to communism
I think freeze branding may be best. Brands have saved many a horse at the stockyards & junk sales..
Depends on the price tag and who benefits from it
Big brother – another USDA plot!
I feel my current coggins shows identification. We do not need to spend money on horse licensing.
thats just one more way for the government to control us and to get more money from us
It’s just another useless government money sucking scam, just like the NAIS.
another way for the government to make money
It’s just another “fee” and I see zero benefit as those that SHOULD license wouldn’t
What I own is none of the governments concern
Any money used to pay the state for the license is better spent on the horse.
Federal Horse ID that can track movement,lists ID#,EIA – test,rabies cert for travel on Fed/State Rd
too much opportunity for lost privacy/interference/abuse/unwanted market campaigns
tax…and people are having enough trouble finacially keeping horses. Let’s license all animals then
We already have enough government in our lives!
I don’t want the government running my life, how about you
I’m assuming it would require minimum vaccinations to get licenses. If not, then no.
I’m not happy with the Nais idea and I feel this is about the same consiept. I feel I can mico chip
Brands, chips, take a picture once a year, staple and file
Just another way of taxing people.
I would help in finding owners in abuse cases, and maybe save some from slaughter.Maybe microchip.
You have to have license’s or permits you have to purchase for everything you have or do now.
But not @ the $25 per horse rate – for multiple horses, that is too much
In order to help prevent the spread of diseases via license tracking
NAIS is stealing our rights through intimidation and lies.
no way………
I believe additional costs for a license is unecessary and doesn’t help feed/care costs.
we are already taxed too much
We have too much gov’t regulation now, and it will stifle the industry.
because they will want to tax you and we pay enought taxes on feed etc
The cost will just make that many more horses get less feed w/ this economy. & these aren’t dogs/cat
absolutely not! another way to tax us & limit our movements
another way for government to control people
Better to require breeders to have licenses, to reduce so many throw-away foals.
one more unnecessary expense
how about chiping like they do in dogs that way you can make sure the horse you have is correct
It’s one more piece of government interference that complicates life, and is basically unecessary.
Invasion of privavcy; just another expense for the government to misuse; I can identify my own!
There is enough government control now! Plus it is an unnecessary expense to owners!!!!
cattle,hogs,goats,rabbits will be next
brand inspections/health certificates should be enough. This is too big brother, and invades privacy
opens the door to tax on animals as is now happenig with cows etc.
I have my horses microchipped
Only the honest would pay and the others leave trouble for their barn managers
need to know more about it
No, in Massachusetts, many towns already tax our horses so licensing on top of that is ridiculous.
Can’t afford any more money to be put out for our horses.
Do not need government in our personal business any more than they already are
Being on a tight budget due to the economy, my family and I are having a financial struggle just to
We already have forms of ID
Can’t see any reason for it, just another way for govt to squeeze more money out of people
keep government out of my business
I all ready have all my horses microchiped.
All my horses are already registered with their respective breed registries. So why license them?
Its just another way for taxes to be imposed later on .
absolutely not, the economy is bad enough, just one more thing to worry about affording!
biased question-don’t know how ids stolen horse
Don’t need more government control.
Too much regulation of individuals now!
For food animals-horses are recreational. Too restrictive, if you mean NAIS..
This is just another means of government manipulation and control.
Potential for abuse of security
more paperwork/fees
as in where I live, there are still horse thieves. this would stop that with positive ids.
Because we are being taxed and regulated to death! I can freeze brand my horse for security.
but not at any but a very small cost.
to help prevent cruelty and promote responsibility
Isnt that what a brand inspection is for all practical purposes?
We already have too much govt. control
No more givernment taxing, filing reports on movement, etc.
Prefer to keep the government out of it.
is it going to cost?
license = tax=restrictions
Totally rediculous! Horses rn’t domesticated pets. Mine R ID Chipped & regstrd & thats it!
What’s next – cattle, pigs, chickens, etc.?
i don’t think think it would help
HELL NO! ANYTHING FOR ANOTHER BUCK..IM RUNING OUT OF BUCKS.. LIKE ALOT OF OTHERS…
first costs are up enough now with horses we don’t need another. I also believe it will cost more h
We don’t need anymore government control in our life.
No I’m not in favour – it’s just another tax grab.
Microchipping is a better form of ID
Doesn’t work on dogs, doubt it would work on horses either.
Maybe microchipping?
Nice for grade horses to know where they come from and what state.
That would be taking money away from food and other things that could be spent on taking careof them
If you can’t afford the 75-100 for vaccine, vet, tag, how can you afford a horse?
Horses are not pets
Just a way to take our $$
Too expensive and not a good way to identify. Micro chip would be better.
I think it’s an added expense that most people with the pleasure horse could not afford.
The money from licensing could help support horse causes.
Government oversight sure hasn’t “fixed all our other problems, has it?
It would accomplish Nothing
I’d rather identify my horses privately thru branding or microchiping. Leave Gov. Out of it.
Additional fee’s and more taxes
He!! NO, just more government interference
licensing is not needed for id. this is just another tax. there are a lot better ways to id animials
more gov. control, we do NOT need!
Absolutely NOT! This is one step closer to NAIS. We do not need any more government interference!
There are enough egulations, and mirochipping is an excellent way to identify.
Not only no, but He** no!
Dogs have to be licensed, why not horses?
the gov needs to stay out of my business
Hell No!
Just another line item income and something for the state to manage
Too much government control and cost.
No, it gives the politicians money and control.
horses are already expensive enough, quit tacking on extra expenses!
OMG, they need to give it a rest.
just another way for the government to waste money. not that many horses run loose like dogs
it is another way for gov. to collect more money and monitor one more aspect of our lives.
lets not add more cost to owners
I’ve heard people don’t like the idea, but they never say why
No, unless it’s free
why don’t we just start licensing our kids!!!!!!!
The FEDS don’t need to know everything we do. This is just another form of Big Brother stufng pkts
My vet discourages rabies vac. All 4 of mine are AQHA or APHA reg. & thus identified .
Deter theft, deter animal hoarding, promote responsible ownership, enable disease tracking
Its just another government attempt to get int our wallets and lives.
Just more money for someone else to spend carelessly…
Another tax? Why?
i would rather see having to get a license intead of having to have my horses microchipped
there is too much government already. We don’t need more of it.
All horses be microchipped IDs
Isn’t necessary..plus outrageous cost!
Horses are not in the food chain and don’t need a big brother organization keeping track of them
Where would you put the licence plate?
We definitely don’t need more taxes or more expenses.
enough already. we pay for breed registration, association registration, sport registration, etc.
No need for Gov’t oversight, nor is there funding to enforce it’s provisions
The government has enough on their plate without taking from ours.
Watch out government will want to know all you are doing with your horse
I prefer freeze branding or the chip. Keep the Gov. out of it!
Licensing another way of taxing the horse owner, accomplishes nothing for the horse.
Microchipping of unregistered horses should be implemented; otherwise tattoo/brand/freeze-brand
privacy
Personally I’m not in favor of licensing of our pets
In CO. we have brand inspections that tells the ownership of the horse.
Why get govt. involved if only to use it as a stepping stone to more regulation and/or taxing?
The government doesn’t need to stick their noses into another aspect of our lives.
Less regulations – in Europe I heard that a permit is required to wipe a horse’s nose after a sneeze
No! Just plain NO!!!
I heard its going to cost a lot
an intrusion of privacy
This is government going overboard. Most are struggling to keep our horses, we don’t need more cost
Absolutely NOT
this is my right to freedom – I don’t need a license to complicate things…….
Yes licencing should stop stolen horses being re-sold for slaughter, also easier to find if stolen.
No. eventually, it will lead to another way to impose a tax
extra cost to owners and won’t help in any other way! People just won’t have it done. what changes?
NO! This is just a back-door to NAIS. NO!
Hopefully this would protect pets from ending up on a plate in France
the rabies shot could kill my horse
Just another waste of money in already hard times!
Before we can deal with the horses we have, we need to know how many there are. This will count them
Most people have pictures of registration papers to verify ownership.
too much government!
is it going to be a way of taxing horses, like cars?
It verifies horse population, which helps verify population statistics for trail preservation.
Will turn into another tax or money maker and drain the horse owners pockets.
Too easily forged. Use microchips.
Just another layer of bureaucratic stuff that we will have to pay for, and what is the advantage to
Current over population and “the unwanted horse” are due in part because of lack of regulations.
Unnecessary, and just one more way for the government to tax us.
That’s what we have registries for.
yes, with a minimum fee!
I believe that the gov’t is already to intrusive.
The government knows enough of our business already.
Like NAIS, this is an intolerable invasion of privacy. Alternatives exist
Will end up being an added expense and hassle, ID can be accomplished personally much easier
Registering my horses is good enough
The less the government gets into my business the better.
Don’t need the government sticking its nose in something it knows nothing about!
rather microchip and breed registries
The government is in too many things already
NO! It would just be another means for the government to charge fees!
Just another scam from the gov’t to get license fees, and then control things.
first, horses are livestock, second – enough govt. already!
Absolutely NOT. Too much government already!
$5 per horse, no more & proof of rabies!
just another way to take money out of my pocket
Registration papers and brand inspections with photos are good enough.
NO and Heck No
NO,NO,NO! I do not believe the government has the right to license any animal.
I think it would put horse owners even more in a bind. The chip is available for identification.
I live in Nevada….we have a “brand” inspection for ownership….works pretty much like a license.
They are LIVESTOCK and not something you would need a license to own plus it would get expensive!!
Serves no purpose except to create extra cost for owners
Right because licensing clearly does so much for dogs.
Gives too much control too local/state government to assess fees and fines pursuant to enforcement.
invasion of privacy
It’s rediculous, how often do horses need identifying?
No room for a tag on his butt
I think it’s just a way for the government to collect more taxes
My horse is already registered, what would be the benifit of both registering and liscensing?
its okay if it could be kept affordable. Also not make sales complicated as to deter new owners.
More expense .
It’s just one more government intervention, they have bigger things to worry about I think!
Just another way to get money out of people and increase legislation.
I’d have to research the pros & cons
Just another gov’t cash grab
Too costly and too much trouble
Just ABSOLUTELY NOT
Just another tax from a cancerous, parasitic government!
NAIS is bad enough! Maybe some sort of voluntary passport system for horses that travel -shows, etc
License the owners instead.
i believe it would work as it does with dogs and encourage owner accountability, discourage theft.
Not all horses are registared and it would be easier to positively ident a stolen horse
Opens door to government control. UN is already looking at U.S. horses as food to be registered.
There isn’t sufficient reasons to do so.
For their safety. I want my horses tracked and rescued if they’re ever lost or stolen.
Still another government intrusion!
too invasive
Horse liscensing is another venue to get revenue by cash strapped cities, counties or states.
Licensing is for tracking and taxing. Use branding or tattooing for ID.
I’d have to know more about it.
there is no good reason for it. Dog licesning is a waste of money in our state and horse licensing
invasion of my privacy
Absolutely NOT
No No No- As a breeder it would be too costly…..Big Brother. No No No
NO-That would be a serious invasion of my privacy — tattoo if you need to ID, don’t regulate!
With licensing comes fees and we can use coggins papers for ID’s
we can microchip and tattoo, this is just a money maker for the government
enough already!
Just one more regulation that is totally unenforceable and unnecessary.
NO, Not enough space here to say why!!!!!!!
Coggins papers will do.
DUE TO THE EXPENSE
think I prefer microchipping/branding
just one more government interference
disease tracking made easier
Uncle Sam doesnt need his fingers in OUR pie, or tax us on anything else
As an industry the equine business is doing poorly why would they want to put more of a burden
We don’t need any more government interference/costs in the industry.
i own too many as i pack and have a working cow ranch
The best way to identify any animal is with a micro chip.
There are enough ways to identify your horse without the expense of licensure.
Info can be used for too many other applications. Too much “big brother ” is watching.
The government would get more for the licenses, then what personal property taxes?
Maybe this will make owners more responsible.
To much like big brother keeping and eye on where your horses are at all times.
Imposing control on private property
No- Another way for the govt to make money off the honest hard-working tax payer
Pet licensing covers shelter costs, where would horse $ go?
That’s ridiculous. You need a license to drive a car not to own a horse.

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