Microchipping horse - so why did vet make me feel Stupid ?

Gingerwitch

Gingerwitch

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Had vet out today to microchip my horse - why because since coming on this forum most days I have got paranoid about horses being pinched and having no trace of them.

Vet asked why i was doing it and i told him i wanted a way of tracing him, if he was stolen.....

He laughed and said "but the security on your yard is second to none, locked gates (2 sets), loose dogs at night, farmer and wife and couple of teenage kids in farm house next to stable block, fire alarms, and cctv.

I feel stupid now for wasting my money - but i dont think i should.!
 
Don't feel stupid!! you didn't waste your money. Better be safe than sorry anyway !! I guess he was just joking, don't take it seriously.

Don't be surprised with what some people will do to get a horse either....
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Anyone determed, will steal him no matter what. You are certainly not stupid for microchipping, although a freezemark would have been better.
 
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Is it not the law that they have to be chipped?

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Only those who are now having to apply for a passport.
 
doesnt matter how secure your yard is, if someone wants your horse they Find a way!!! Microchipping proves the horse is yours, same as freezemarks, which i tend to prefer as they are visible but dont feel daft about it, you did the right thing!!
 
You certainly did do the right thing, a microchip cannot be altered or tampered with so provides a permanent link to you. Well done for having it done, I had my foal done a couple of weeks ago, he didn't even flinch!!!!
 
You are very sensible as we have seen very many more horses being stolen this last 12 months than in previous yers.

The other thing to do is to have your horse freezemarked and also keep some of the hairs from his main or tale so that he can be identified by his DNA.

Freezemarking can be seen and read by anyone and makes the identification and recovery of a stolen horse very much easier.
 
Nice vet...Not, I think you're more than right to get it done.
Does your horse go out in a field?? That's where they are normally stolen from
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Edit:- It's all very well having a secure yard but many fields run along the side of a road, just right for a quick get away
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maybe vet was trying to set your mind at ease, but no, you're not stupid, very sensible. all our four leggeds are chipped, and as soon as i get act together the neds will be freezemarked (I want particular marks os it's not straight forward).
 
Also out at shows there naff all security round the lorries and trailers and the microchip gives you a good claim of ownership should it ever be questioned.
 
it'll only be a waste of your money if he ACTUALLY gets nicked, as at the moment, markets/sales dont have a scanner to hand, and some still issue on day of sale passports..

so yes, a complete watse of money.
 
Not totally - slaughterhouses will have to scan from now on so hopefully it will stop nicked horses ending up as horse burgers.
 
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Not totally - slaughterhouses will have to scan from now on so hopefully it will stop nicked horses ending up as horse burgers.

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Contrary to belief, very very few animals that are stolen, end up at an Abattoir..thats why i mentioned markets/sales..

also a fair few of stolen animals dont see any of the above...just the inside of a ferry to ireland.
 
That is why not only are mine microchipped, (I do agree that it is a bit pointless with the scanners either not being at sales etc or not reading other chips) but also freezemarked as a visible deterrant. By doing both, hopefully one of them will recover my beasties or stop them being stolen.

Unfortunately thieves will get through just about anything that you put up if they are that determined. I would like to have electric fencing wired to the mains, so they really got a shock, or the ability to pop a cap in their ass but I would then end up the one in prison rather than the sh*tbag that should be there having had their hands removed first.

I hate thieves.
 
As everyone has said - if thieves want it they will get it! We have two gates with chains you have to get through to enter our stable yard with a track a few hundred yards long between them.

We keep horse items (rugs etc) and bits and bobs of equipment in an industrial container that did have 3 large locks that you could not get bolt croppers too. It foiled 2 attempted break-ins but they did manage to get in twice (in order to steal our generator). Once they hack-sawed through the huge hinges and then second time they must have brought a van down and an acetyline torch, cut through both gates and through the container! All for a £300 generator!

So, if they are prepared to go to those sort of lengths, stealing a horse is relatively simple if you've just got to cut through a chain/fencing! We've just had two of ours chipped. Ok, so as JM07 says it's not overly effective but the only way to help make it is to put more pressure on the likes of horse sale to HAVE to have scanners at sales rings and NOT issue passports on the day of sale.

I have to say I did insure a horse at work which the person had bought - they had the vet out (am guessing for injections etc) and they did scan the horse just as a rountine check. Turned out said horse was in fact stolen so was duly returned to its owners. So, it certainly can work and is not pointless.
 
***Ok, so as JM07 says it's not overly effective but the only way to help make it is to put more pressure on the likes of horse sale to HAVE to have scanners at sales rings and NOT issue passports on the day of sale.***

YES

and for "joe public" to be more aware by asking at sales/markets if a certain animal has the correct paperwork...

ask to see its passport..note the date of issue..before 1st july 2009 it will need just a passport..after that a chip AND a passport..

if it has been stated it has a chip..check to see if the chip matches the number on the scanner and the passport..
 
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I have been told, and am hoping its untrue that some people will attempt to cut out the chip and or freezemark ?

Anyone heard of anything as barbaric as this ?

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yes, its been around awhile...
 
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