Microchipping Resources
Since it is mandatory to implant microchips, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society is recommending breeders to nasally implant Canadian-bred Thoroughbreds being registered with the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society.
Further, The Jockey Club is aware that the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society is recommending that its breeders implant microchips in the nasal area rather than in the nuchal ligament. Horses with microchips implanted in the nasal area will be considered eligible for registration as Thoroughbreds upon completion of all other requirements as described in the Principal Rules and
Requirements of The American Stud Book. Owners must note the location of the microchip when submitting the microchip number to The Jockey Club and the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society.
If a Canadian-bred horse is microchipped in the nuchal ligament, after 2017, it will not affect the eligibility of Canadian-bred or Provincial status of that horse, granted that horse has met all Canadian bred and provincial program requirements.
It is the hope that Canadian-bred horses will have nasal microchips and be recognized as Canadian-bred horses internationally through the distinction of a nasal microchip implant.
The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society believes nasal microchipping will become the industry standard in the near future.
Sincerely,
Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society
National Office & National Board of Directors’
How To Resources
This section contains information for owners and breeders who are registering their Thoroughbred and need to implant and report the microchip to The Jockey Club and the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS).
Owners and breeders may have their horses microchipped either in the "nasal area" or the neck (nuchal ligament). The location must be reported. The CTHS is only recommending the "nasal area".
Report Microchip # when doing the paper registration.
Report Microchip # when doing an online registration.
A Handy Guide on implanting a microchip in the "nasal region"
Step by step users guide for implanting microchips
Microchipping Media
A Power Point Presentation has been created with multiple media images and videos to assist people in understanding the location of the nasal microchip implant location as well as to demonstrate the ease that this new implant location offers in handling equines.
The Power Point Presentations are large files and may take a minute or two to download.
X-Rays
A microchip that is implanted in the nasal area (upper midline frenulum with the microchip ending up in the rostral interincisive canal) will appear on the X-Rays as a grain of rice.
Alberta Thoroughbred Microchipping Project
The Alberta Thoroughbred Micro-chipping Project is actively involved in investigating an alternative implantation site and developing accompanying software for the management of microchipped horses. Although microchips are not currently a requirement to register a Thoroughbred they will become a requirement of registration for foals of 2017 or later.
The implant site the Alberta Thoroughbred Micro-chipping Project is using the nasal area (above the dorsal aspect of the orbicularis oris muscle and underneath the depressor septi muscle). This is a new location to chip horses and initial trials are showing promise. This location will be safer and easier to manage for both horses and handlers.