The Procedure: How We Implant the Microchip
Many owners worry that the needle looks “big,” but the process is remarkably fast and very well-tolerated by horses. Here is how we do it at Red Oak Animal Hospital:
Preparation and Scanning
Before we begin, we scan your horse’s neck to ensure they don’t already have an existing chip. We also scan the new Merck TempScan™ chip while it is still in the sterile packaging to verify that the ID number matches the provided registration stickers.
Site Selection
Following international standards, the chip is placed in the nuchal ligament on the left side of the neck, approximately halfway between the poll and the withers. This area has very few nerve endings and provides a secure “pocket” for the chip so it does not migrate.
The Injection
We clean the injection site thoroughly with an antiseptic. Using a sterile, pre-loaded applicator, our veterinarian quickly inserts the chip. Most horses react no more than they would to a routine vaccination.
Post-Implant Verification
Once the chip is in place, we scan the neck one last time to confirm the chip is reading perfectly and displaying the temperature. We then provide you with the documentation needed to register the chip with HomeAgain and your respective breed or show registries.
Note: No downtime is required after the procedure! Your horse can return to their normal schedule immediately, though we recommend skipping a heavy workout right after if the injection site is slightly sensitive.
