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Bluetooth connection drops a PIN so you can see where the scan took place. It will also pull the data that’s been collected on that horse and is stored in our secure database.”
Options & Benefits
Those customers who opt for thermal microchips have the advantage of being able to record the horse’s temperature with a simple scan. There is also a section to record a horse’s heart rate.
“The app also has a Notes section so if your horse isn’t eating that day or isn’t acting quite right, you can track that,” Jessica says. “The program will build a baseline over seven days and give you readings when you check the database. You can see that, okay, this horse typically runs about 99-100 degrees and today he’s 102. The program will send you a text and say, ‘So and so has a temperature of 102; this is not normal. You may need to consult your veterinarian.’
“Large farms have a lot of moving parts and a lot of horses,” she adds. “It would be easy to miss a horse with a higher temperature than normal, so the program provides a second layer of account- ability so you can get the vet out if needed.”
In addition to health concerns, the Lip
Chip program is a valuable tool in recovering lost horses. “With hurricanes and other natural disasters, fences go down and without some kind of identification attached to them beforehand, horses frequently can’t be traced back to their owners,” Jessica says. “This technology elimi- nates that problem so if your horse gets lost or has been stolen, a scan will reveal the horse’s ownership information and get him back home.”
A Massive Undertaking
Brad compares Lip Chip to a wagon wheel. “Lip Chip is in the middle, and users go through different portals for various information: the vet- erinarian works with the owner and/or trainer, then there are the state and federal agencies,
the associations, and the various venues. It’s all
about keeping up with that horse in real time and understanding what’s going on with him.”
Jessica, a former state, and collegiate equestrian competitor, collaborates both with Brad and with industry contacts to continually develop the Lip Chip technology. The program will roll out officially in 2023.
“I lean heavily on my father’s expertise as a trainer and the interactions he has on a daily basis,” she says. “He’s in the barn every single day all across the U.S., handling over 120 horses, and I also work a lot with our rodeo contacts and our show folks to help understand their processes. That way, we can fine-tune this technology to make it even better for what’s going on in the industry. We work with several individuals across the different disciplines, so they can compete and help with brand aware- ness for one thing, and they also give us feed- back on how our technology can better serve our customers. And we really value that.”
Their commitment to improving effi- ciency, integrity, and horse health at equestrian events through evolving technology makes the expense well worth the investment. Although Lip Chip’s price is yet to be determined,
Marc says he plans to Lip Chip an additional 30 horses. “We have another set of yearlings coming up and when we have time to get to the farm, we’re going to Lip Chip everything we have, including the mares,” says Marc.
“My 9-year-old grandchild can take the temp of a horse and my wife can drive around in
her little Gator and check the horses; those features alone justify it; it’s money well spent. Anyone with a breeding farm, a stallion farm, racehorses ... it limits your risk and it’s pretty handy to have that much data available.”
So, the next time you’re in the check-in queue, imagine spending just a few seconds there rather than your usual wait. It’s a pleasant picture, isn’t it?
For more information, visit Lip Chip at www.lipchipllc.com.
Lip Chip LLC’s premium Chip Link System app subscription option pro- vides ad-free use of the app and also
allows users to donate to a variety of horse-related charities, including the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Lip Chip LLC’s Charity Partnerships
Lip Chip LLC’s premium Chip Link System app subscription option provides ad-free use of the app and also allows users to donate to a variety of horse-related charities.
Their offerings include the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Sam Thompson Foundation and Sonrisas Therapeutic Riding
in San Angelo, Texas. “They do great work out there,” says Lip Chip LLC Vice-President of Operations Jessica Cummings. “They work with people with physical and mental disabilities, and we absolutely love partnering with them.”
Lip Chip LLC also partnered with Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Chaplaincy to debut a new therapeutic riding program called Lead Equine Assistance Development. L.E.A.D., an offshoot of Sonrisas, allows horses to help participants with their natural movement through physi- cal, mental and emotional therapy. Lip Chip’s efforts have resulted in three horses being donated to the new program as a result of the company’s horse rescue program.
Visit Lip Chip LLC on Facebook for more of the company’s philanthropic efforts.
“The app also has a Notes section so if your horse isn’t eating that day or isn’t acting quite right, you can track that.”
Lip Chip LLC also partnered with Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Chaplaincy to debut a new therapeutic riding program called Lead Equine Assistance Development.
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