The techie trend toward tinier-than-tiny micro-anything has now hit the world of equine identification. Horses necessitating microchip identification—a requirement in many countries, including the entire European Union—can now receive a “mini-microchip” implant.

Roughly 70% the size of the standard microchip, the mini-microchip “obviously works very well” and has clear benefits for the horse, explained Christine Aurich, DVM, PhD, Head of the Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science in Neustadt, Germany.

“It’s certainly better to insert a smaller needle than the one that was used for the ‘old’ chip,” Aurich said. “Therefore, the mini-chip should substitute the old transponder from now on.”

The welfare benefits are even greater for small animals, in particular dogs and cats, she added