Microchip (with or without Micromark) or freezemarking?

Sooty

Sooty

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Or neither? What are peoples' views on these measures of horse security? I like the idea of microchipping then having a Micromark, as I am not too keen on the four character freezemarks, but I suppose I need to consider which is most effective.
 
I'm not convinced of the effectiveness of microchips on their own in a theft situation. I don't like the look of freezemarks but always have them done.

Better safe than sorry.
 
Sonny has a microchip and a freezemark. I did consider the micromark because it's more discreet (and therefore probably better for showing). But I just thought that there must be a vast amount of 14.2, black cob type ponies out there, so I went for a freezemark instead (because of the individuality of it).
 
I rate microchipping - but the Surrey Police are useless in regard to knowledge about microchipped saddles - they asked me how to scan a microchip and who had the scanners !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say I put Farmkey onto them (again apparently)

So microchips are OK so long as you aren't in Surrey !!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I'm with Troggy, I'm not convinced either. The one horse I had that wasn't already freezemarked I got done with a personalised number... made me feel a bit better about having it done lol.

You don't even notice the mark after a while.
 
Hi, yes, he has his under his saddlepatch, so it won't show in ridden classes anyway (not that they penalise it). I just thought if he ever did get stolen then at least I would have something to point him out with if he ended up in a sales somewhere, and to put on posters and adverts looking for him etc; rather than just "He has a micromark" (which of course millions of ponies could have!)
 
I have been involved with the recovery of a number of stolen horses. It is important that anyone can read the identification mark on a suspected stolen horse. This is why the Freezemark is the only one that really helps. It is also a visual deterent. It is best to freezemark on the shoulder so that it can be seen even while thehorse is being ridden. The problem with microchipping is that there are several different systems and the reader of one does not detect or read one from another manufacturer. This is a real problem. 99% of stolen freezemarked horses have been recovered.
 
Freezemark.
Any ley person can read an id number, its like tracing a car even if you dont know what colour or model you are looking at. Better visual deterent as well and given the fiasco some people are aware of at the sales ring regarding unpassported horses being scanned Id go for a freezemark every time.
 
Both of mine are chipped and freezemarked. Can't see freezemark when being ridden as are on saddle area. Agree they are not very pretty, but better to be safe than sorry!
 
I'm so glad you said that! My mare is microchipped and I have been wibbling for ages about freezmarking. I always though if I did it would be on the shoulder, as you said it's visible when ridden! I didn't realise the recovery rate was so high either! Mind is made up now, horsey gets freezemarked.
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I agree with Peter Natt and Spaniel, freezemarking is the way to go. Who has a scanner? I was involeved in the recovery of a possible stolen pony last year that had been microchipped, it took hours to find somebody local with a scanner, in which time the pony could have been transported away. So frustrating!!
 
Mine are all freezemarked on their shoulders as a visible deterrent and it is easily seen, even when ridden. I have mine done by Freezemark who usually only use 3 digits. I know that at many sales, and when being passported, horses are not scanned for microchips and that there are several different incompatible systems
 
If I can't see it then no one else can so give me freezemarking any time.I like to see a freezemark it shows the owner cares
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I had my mare microchipped and have also recently had her freezemarked as didn't feel the microchip was sufficient. Didn't bother witha micromark as not convinced enough people know about it.
 
yes,visable deterant but i have had my mare freeze marked 3 times in the same place and she has about 4 white hairs to show for it. she is bay and it was done by freezemark.
 
Porridge has a chip - when I had her vetted do you want to know how the vet authenticated it? He looked at the passport and copied the number down
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Didn't even scan for it! It may be because he knows me and he knew the vendor, but in retrospect it doesn't exactly fill you with confidence that if the horse was stolen it would be identified or returned!

Therefore, if it is simply for security, I would go for a freezemark.
 
Thank you all for your replies. It looks like freezemarking it is then! I shall get it done under the saddle area though, hopefully nobody will steal him while he is being ridden!

Weezy's experience plus the apparent lack of scanners has made me realise that maybe the microchip technology has a way to go yet...
 
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