Microchipping

Microchipping Resources


Since it is mandatory to implant microchips, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society is recommending breeders to nasally implant Canadian-bred Thoroughbreds being registered with the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society.

Further, The Jockey Club is aware that the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society is recommending that its breeders implant microchips in the nasal area rather than in the nuchal ligament. Horses with microchips implanted in the nasal area will be considered eligible for registration as Thoroughbreds upon completion of all other requirements as described in the Principal Rules and
Requirements of The American Stud Book. Owners must note the location of the microchip when submitting the microchip number to The Jockey Club and the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society.

If a Canadian-bred horse is microchipped in the nuchal ligament, after 2017, it will not affect the eligibility of Canadian-bred or Provincial status of that horse, granted that horse has met all Canadian bred and provincial program requirements.

It is the hope that Canadian-bred horses will have nasal microchips and be recognized as Canadian-bred horses internationally through the distinction of a nasal microchip implant.

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society believes nasal microchipping will become the industry standard in the near future.

Sincerely,
Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society
National Office & National Board of Directors’
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How To Resources


This section contains information for owners and breeders who are registering their Thoroughbred and need to implant and report the microchip to The Jockey Club and the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS).


Owners and breeders may have their horses microchipped either in the "nasal area" or the neck (nuchal ligament). The location must be reported. The CTHS is only recommending the "nasal area".

Report Microchip # when doing the paper registration

Report MC # Application

Report microchip # when doing an online registration

Report MC # Online

A Handy Guide on implanting a microchip in the "nasal region"

Download Guide

Step by step users guide for implanting microchips

Users Guide

Microchipping Media


A Power Point Presentation has been created with multiple media images and videos to assist people in understanding the location of the nasal microchip implant location as well as to demonstrate the ease that this new implant location offers in handling equines. 


The Power Point Presentations are large files and may take a minute or two to download.

X-Rays

A microchip that is implanted in the nasal area (upper midline frenulum with the microchip ending up in the rostral interincisive canal) will appear on the X-Rays as a grain of rice.

Alberta Thoroughbred Microchipping Project


The Alberta Thoroughbred Micro-chipping Project is actively involved in investigating an alternative implantation site and developing accompanying software for the management of microchipped horses. Although microchips are not currently a requirement to register a Thoroughbred they will become a requirement of registration for foals of 2017 or later.


The implant site the Alberta Thoroughbred Micro-chipping Project is using the nasal area (above the dorsal aspect of the orbicularis oris muscle and underneath the depressor septi muscle). This is a new location to chip horses and initial trials are showing promise. This location will be safer and easier to manage for both horses and handlers.

Project Newsletter

Microchipping FAQs


Regarding the Nasal Area Microchip Implant Location

In an effort to assist owners and breeders during this transition time to microchipping, the CTHS has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to answer questions that have been coming into the offices. The first "issue" can be found below. As additional questions are asked and answered, they will be added to the FAQ document. Please continue to check back for updates.

Download PDF

Regarding the Alberta Thoroughbred Microchipping Project

In the PDF linked below are some answers to frequently asked questions about the Alberta Thoroughbred Microchipping Project. 

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