Mini-Microchips for Horses Get Thumbs Up

The techie trend toward tinier-than-tiny micro-anything has hit the world of equine identification. Researchers recently tested a “mini-microchip” that’s roughly 70% the size of the standard microchip.
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The techie trend toward tinier-than-tiny micro-anything has now hit the world of equine identification. Horses necessitating microchip identification—a requirement in many countries, including the entire European Union—can now receive a “mini-microchip” implant.

Roughly 70% the size of the standard microchip, the mini-microchip “obviously works very well” and has clear benefits for the horse, explained Christine Aurich, DVM, PhD, Head of the Graf Lehndorff Institute for Equine Science in Neustadt, Germany.

“It’s certainly better to insert a smaller needle than the one that was used for the ‘old’ chip,” Aurich said. “Therefore, the mini-chip should substitute the old transponder from now on.”

The welfare benefits are even greater for small animals, in particular dogs and cats, she added

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Passionate about horses and science from the time she was riding her first Shetland Pony in Texas, Christa Lesté-Lasserre writes about scientific research that contributes to a better understanding of all equids. After undergrad studies in science, journalism, and literature, she received a master’s degree in creative writing. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Follow Lesté-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas.

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