December 1st, 2025

Every horse entered in a USEF-licensed or -endorsed competition (regardless of breed, discipline, or rating/level) will be required to have microchip.

The microchip rules are GR1101.10, HU104, JP100, EQ103.

Please select one of the following options:

• New horses/ponies - Submit a New Horse Recording Application.
• Recorded horses/ponies - Any USEF member can use the Update Microchips Search to add a microchip to a horse's account.

Once reported to USEF, the microchip number will appear on your horse’s USEF Horse Recording card, on the online horse search, and will be available as part of the information provided to horse show software.

Microchip implantation must be done in accordance with state laws. In some states, implantation of the microchip must be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Contact your veterinarian to discuss microchip implantation.

USEF is exploring options for microchip implantation events at future USEF licensed competitions as well as collaborating with equine veterinarians on strategies for microchipping USEF horses at designated locations across the country.

The implantation of the microchip will be at the owner’s expense. However, USEF is seeking potential partnerships to provide microchip member benefits.

DNA does not allow for onsite identification of the individual horse or rapid traceability of an animal during a disease outbreak situation at a competition. Microchips allow for immediate onsite verification of the horse for the purpose of safeguarding its health during a disease outbreak or natural disaster.

The only information contained on the microchip is the chip number. This number is tied to the information you provide to USEF on the USEF Microchip Reporting Form.

In the face of an infectious disease outbreak, the microchip can be utilized by state animal health officials as a tool for identification and tracking of horses which have been exposed. Microchip readers will be utilized to scan microchips of horses on the competition grounds for the purpose of identification of exposed horses which will be isolated and quarantined.

Horses are subject to scanning at any time, including, but not limited to

• At the time of a measurement
• During a drug test
• When showing in a USEF-licensed and/or USHJA-sanctioned championship event

The following individuals may scan a microchip at a competition:

• A groom, owner or trainer may utilize the biothermal microchip for monitoring the horse’s health on a daily basis.
• Competition management may choose to utilize the microchip for identification, recording of show results, or tracking horses on competition grounds.
• During an outbreak, state and/or federal animal health officials investigating the disease exposure risks may scan your horse.
• USEF or competition staff, USEF licensed officials, or drug testing personnel may scan a horse to confirm the identity of the horse.

At this time, there are no requirements for competition management to scan the microchip, but organizers must verify that every horse entered to compete has a compliant microchip number listed on their USEF horse recording.

USEF is exploring potential optional resources and tools for competition management to utilize microchips for their events.

USEF encourages competition management to promote the use of biothermal microchips for the purpose of equine health monitoring at their competitions.

USEF has no requirement for competition management to scan microchips at their event at this time.

USEF will require the microchip to be reported prior to the horse competition and will be associated with horse and competition records.

USEF will work with affiliates to encourage recording of microchips in the breed registry databases.

Horses can be microchipped on competition grounds if it is not within 12 hours of competing, as that would be a violation of the 12-hour injection rule. The USEF Veterinary Department is working on the implementation and compliance plan for this rule which will be published in 2025.

USEF recommends only one microchip in a horse.

If your horse has an ISO compliant microchip that can be read, no other microchip is needed.

If your horse has a microchip implanted prior to December 2025, which is not ISO compliant or is not able to be read, contact [email protected] for guidance on how to proceed.