With the first season of the American Quarter Horse racing industry using microchips as the means for official verification completed, we wanted to provide you with an update and an overview for the horsemen, tracks and trainers.
Anytime a novel process is introduced, it is bound to create a little unrest and confusion.
“Overall, this first year was tremendous,” said Janet VanBebber, AQHA chief racing officer. “AQHA official identifiers verified more than 4,500 horses. This has been successful, thanks to the cooperation of the tracks, AQHA’s identifiers, horsemen and AQHA team members recognizing where adjustments needed to be made along the way.”
AQHA developed an application called QHChip. This application is used exclusively by AQHA’s official identifiers to capture the microchip number and verify the identity of a horse, which is vital to the integrity of the racehorse industry. Prior to 2024, this was done by lip tattoo.
Every American Quarter Horse must be verified by an official AQHA identifier before it can be identified by the track’s identifier in the paddock prior to the race. This is the same procedure that was followed when lip tattoos were used as the method of identification.
When the AQHA identifier verifies the horse, the official information is sent to InCompass. The tracks operate InCompass’ system to build their race cards, and the track identifier can then pull an Identifier’s Report to inspect the horses in the paddock and confirm their identity. They do this by scanning the horse to ensure the microchip matches what was officially recorded at the time of AQHA identification.
An AQHA identifier using AQHA’s QHChip application is mandatory for official verification to be eligible to compete in a Quarter Horse race. Not doing so will cause the horse to be scratched or disqualified.
“Most critical to AQHA is ensuring the integrity of the races. Verifying a horse’s identity is an critical component of such integrity.” VanBebber said.
For more information about Quarter Horse racing and identification, visit www.aqha.com/racing.
Microchip Specs
There are many microchips on the market, and not all compliant chips are intended to be implanted in a horse. It is critical to operate the right type to avoid challenges later.
• The microchip must meet ISO standards and be made to be placed in a vast animal.
• The size of the chip needs to be 12 mm x 2.1. Anything smaller than this is intended for a diminutive animal.
• Nano or mini chips should not be used on a horse.
• Microchips that are too diminutive may not be consistently read by a scanner once they are implanted because of the broad horsehide.
• Make sure the chip is high quality. Quality chips have a coating on them that helps them adhere once implanted to minimize migration when they are implanted properly.
• Always scan the horse to be sure it is not already chipped before adding one. Adding a second microchip is risky, as the identifier may not read the one associated with the official records.
• Biothermal microchips have a built-in temperature sensor. This provides quick, noninvasive temperature monitoring.
• If an identifier cannot find the microchip when a horse is scanned or finds one not associated with the horse’s official record, then the horse may be scratched or disqualified from its race.
• AQHA recommends that microchips be implanted by a veterinarian.
