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3 Responses
My horse is not microchipped. He’s bears a freeze brand that permanently and prominently identifies him as a Standardbred. Recently, the US Trotting Assn dropped the requirement that registered Standardbreds be freeze branded. By removing the requirement that STBs be freeze branded, the USTA makes Standardbreds invisible in kill pens, which puts the horse at greater risk of slaughter. Being readily able to identify a horse based on a brand makes it much easier to contact previous owners who may want to know if their horses are in a bad situation as well as anyone who may have enrolled the horse in the Full Circle Program. I urge Standardbred owners to voice their objection to the USTA’s decision and advocate for the reinstitution of freeze brands as soon as possible. I hope The Horse will support that effort and explore why it’s important to continue the practice of freeze branding and not rely exclusively on microchips.
I have a Fjord which requires a chip for breed registration. However, having worked with emergency evacuations for the last 21 years, I am a firm believer in requiring mircochips for all horses because you just never know…
It was originally for a competition requirement (USEF), but I’m glad I have the extra proof of ID and ownership. I will microchip any future horses I have, if they are not already!