Penn State Equine Identification Project Continues to Educate

Jake Werner, Penn State veterinarian, implants microchip in horse,
with Megan Gerber, Penn State graduate student, assisting.

Identifying animals and tracking their movement can be extremely valuable in addressing health and biosecurity concerns while improving the ability to respond in emergency situations like natural disasters and theft. To educate equine owners and the public, the Penn State Equine Identification Project is in the second year of a two-year program which continues its efforts to inform horse owners and breeders about the value of identifying horses through the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

Working through clinics, expos, open houses and other areas where horse owners congregate, Helen McKernan, equine research associate with Penn State, provides education on the NAIS while welcoming questions and encouraging discussion and the sharing of opinions during the programs.

Approximately 300 horses in five Pennsylvania counties have or will be microchipped through the program. The animals are 4-H projects or horses owned by 4-H members' families or leaders, and participation is voluntary and free. After having their horses' microchipped, 4-H'ers agree to report movements of their horses to the project coordinator for the project to assess the willingness of the equine community to record and trace movement of animals.

Additionally, microchips have been implanted in Penn State University horses, with the movement of these horses being recorded.

On-line and written surveys were conducted and completed to obtain the opinions of the horse community. Participation was voluntary and all information is confidential. Survey data completion is being processed and analyzed by Penn State University staff.

Another key component of the program is premise identification, with the premise being the location where a horse is housed or stabled. A "premise number" can be obtained from any state's Department of Agriculture and it locates a farm, stable, fair, race track, sale barn, or any location where horses are kept. To obtain a premise number one does not need to have the horses at the location microchipped. McKernan noted, "The first step in the identification system of horses is to obtain a voluntary premise registration for the location where the horse resides. The horse owner can then make the choice on whether they wish to implant their horse with a microchip for identification purposes."

McKernan said the resistance to the concept seems to be lessening with education and explanation. So far, she says, "I'm really pleased with how it's developed and the valuable input the horse community is contributing at the events." One unknown is the cost of microchipping, but the Penn State University grant program is free to 4-H'ers. And, at this point in Pennsylvania, the process is voluntary.

Presentations have included the following:

• World Horse Expo, Harrisburg, PA Feb. 21-Feb. 24
• Open House, Stone Hollow Farm, Lewistown, PA, March 29
• Penn State Quarter Horse Sale, April 26
• Horse Clinic, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, May 17
• Schuylkill County 4-H Horse Leaders Meeting, June 9
• American Horse Council Issues Forum, June 15-18
• American Horse Council Issues, Equine Working Species Group, Washington, DC, June 15-18
• National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium, Raleigh, NC - Feb. 29-March 2

Hosted by North Carolina State University Extension Horse Husbandry and North Caroline 4-H Horse Programs, the audience consisted of volunteers - 4-H leaders, families, county extension agents, equine industry professionals, parents and youth supporters. Participants had the opportunity to scan a microchip with a scanner.

In addition, Dr. Ann Swinker, Penn State researcher, will attend the Animal Science conference in July and present an abstract on the program. The team working on the grant welcomes the opportunity to provide more information about the program, including offering demonstrations and answering questions.

For additional information about the program, which continues through the fall of 2008, contact Helene McKernan by email hbm10@psu.edu or telephone 570-726-0022.