Identichips are now common place in horses, dogs, and cats.
From July 2009 new EU regulations have come into effect concerning horse passports. When applying for a passport microchipping is now mandatory.
A microchip must only be implanted by a vet.
Foals need to be chipped before 6 months of age or by 31st December in the year of their birth, which ever is later.
All foals born now must be microchipped before an owner can apply for an equine passport. Passport application forms can be obtained from a Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) relevant to the breed of horse.