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AQHA Revolutionizes Quarter Horse ID with Microchip Integration
The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains a 15-digit numerical code unique to that horse than can never be altered.
In a move to modernize and streamline the identification process in the world of racing Quarter Horses, the American Quarter Horse
Association (AQHA) is set to revolutionize the industry by replacing traditional lip tattoos with cutting-edge microchip technology. The innovative initiative, which rolls out Jan. 1, 2024, marks a significant step forward that promises improved accuracy and efficiency.
Long considered a hallmark of equine iden- tification, lip tattoos have played a crucial role in the racing world for decades. As technology continues to advance, the AQHA is seizing
the opportunity to enhance the identification process by adopting microchipping—a method that offers a more secure, reliable, and animal- friendly solution. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains a 15-digit numerical code unique to that horse than can never be altered.
The shift is not only a testament to the AQHA’s commitment to staying at the fore- front of equine welfare and industry standards but also a recognition of the broader trend towards incorporating technology to address
by Michael Compton
longstanding challenges. As the racing com- munity anticipates the implementation of microchipping, the move is poised to have a ripple effect, influencing the practices and standards of identification within the larger equestrian world.
“It is indeed a milestone moment, but I’m reminding everyone that they shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that we have always con-
firmed the identity of a racehorse,” said Janet VanBebber, chief racing officer for AQHA. “We just did it through the use of a lip tattoo, which in this day and age, is rather barbaric. So, we have taken the same process but implemented
it with today’s technology. In explaining it that way, people can wrap their heads around it and see it’s not a new thing. We’re just improving it with what’s available to us today.”
Microchipping a horse offers several benefits. As a crucial component of digital identification, it plays a key role in validating breed integrity. The assigned ID number is meticulously recorded in the AQHA’s perma- nent records, accompanied by updated photos provided by the AQHA identifier who verifies
Long considered a hallmark of equine identification, lip tattoos have played a crucial role in the racing world for decades.
the horse’s identity.
Beyond breed validation, microchipping
contributes to increased efficiencies in horse management. It can result in increased efficien- cies in monitoring a horse’s presence in regu- lated enclosures, making sure that tracks know
Microchipping serves as a valuable tool in the event of a natural disaster or theft, facilitating the recovery of the horse.
110 SPEEDHORSE December 2023
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