Penn State Equine Identification Project

The Penn State Equine Identification Project is designed to collect information about advantages and disadvantages of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The NAIS is a database of livestock animals - including horses - in the United States. Its purpose is to help producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal health events. Participation is voluntary. Those who chose to participate would be quickly notified if a disease outbreak or other animal health event may put their animals at risk.

The Penn State Equine Identification Project takes place in 2007-2008.

Who May Participate?

4-H members, their families, and 4-H leaders in Butler, Westmoreland, Clinton, Centre, and Lycoming counties may participate in the program.

What Do I Do?

Complete the Online Survey (Must be 18 or Older)

Parents or guardians of youth in the 4-H Horse Program, along with other horse owners and those with a stake in horse ownership, are encouraged to complete Penn State University's National Animal Identification System (NAIS) Survey of Equine Owners.

This video shows the
process of implanting
the microchip.

The purpose of this survey is to determine the impact of microchipping horses as a form of identification and tracking.

Participants do not need to be a resident of Pennsylvania to complete this survey, however, they must be at least 18 years of age. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, participation is voluntary, and all information is confidential.

For more information about the survey, contact

Ann Swinker
324 Henning Building
The Pennsylvania State University
aswinker@psu.edu

Tracking

As a participant, you must agree to report the movement from place to place - or tracking - of your horse. This means you must report each time you take your horse to an event that is over 50 miles away or if the event has more than 10 horses that are not usually housed at the same facility. You can report either by a prepaid postcard or online. Once you have registered for the project, you will receive information on how to report your horse’s tracking.

Microchip, near
actual size

Identification Chip

In addition, an identification chip is implanted in the left side of your horse's neck by a trained certified veterinarian. You will need a signed parental permission form and veterinary form before this microchipping can take place. After the chip is implanted, your horse can be scanned by a hand held device that will read the chip's data. Your horse will be scanned on the day the chip is implanted and at least once more during the summer at a event to which you and your horse travel, such as a County Roundup, a Production Show, or a Fair. Neither the microchip nor scanning will harm your horse.

Premise Number

You will also need to have a premise number assigned to the facility where you house your horse. This premise number is assigned by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. If the facility housing your horse already has a premise number, and you can provide this number, you do not need to get another one.

To register your premise through the postal mail, call 717-772-2852 ext. 208, and request a registration form. Return the completed form to:

BAHDS
Room 408
2301 N. Cameron Street
Harrisburg, Pa. 17110

Once you have obtained a premise number and have provided the completed parental-consent and veterinary forms, the project coordinator will set up an appointment to have your horse implanted with the chip. The coordinator will also collect your registration information and record all tracking information that you provide during the project.

What is the Cost?

There is no cost for participating in this project.

How Can I Get Involved?

For more information and to register, contact

Helene McKernan
Project Coordinator
Penn State University Equine Research Associate
Clinton County Extension Office
47 Cooperation Lane
Mill Hall, PA 17751
Phone: 570-726-0022
Cell Phone: 570-660-3150
Fax: 570-726-2237
E-mail: hbm10@psu.edu