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Standards and Compatibility |
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 Microchips and scanners communicate through radio waves and therefore must operate at the same frequency. The microchips used in horses in the United States, regardless of manufacturer, operate at a frequency of 125 kHz. Scanners that read all of these chips have been available for over 15 years.
In your practice one thing is key: You want microchips and a scanner that offer you the greatest flexibility, and read the largest number of name-brand chips. You also want to use a microchip that can be read by other brands of scanners, as this is important to your client, especially if they travel with their horse. |
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The AVID Equine MultiScan 125 Scanner, and the AVID® EquineChip™ meet both of these needs. |
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 There are over 100,000 scanners in use today in the United States equine and companion animal arena. These scanners detect and read 125 kHz microchips and are in the hands of:
Veterinarians
Brand inspectors and law enforcement officers
Equine processing facilities
Disaster response teams
Rescue organizations
Animal control officers
Equine associations
Regulatory officials
This huge infrastructure services over a million horses (and more every day).
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 It is very important to recognize that the microchips used in United States horses are not the same type of chip being used in food animals. Food animals, such as cattle, are often identified with ear tags containing an embedded microchip. Note: These chips operate at 134.2 kHz, completely different from those used in horses.
In addition, these food animal chip numbers are 15 digits long, instead of the standard 10.
There is some discussion about introducing a 134.2 kHz injectable chip into the United States horse industry. This chip is incompatible with, and cannot be read or detected by, the infrastructure of existing scanners. Therefore, the 134.2 types of microchip should not be used in horses until the time which any and all scanners can read them. |
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 It is our recommendation to you, as a veterinarian, to not install a 134.2 kHz chip into a client’s horse unless you have been assured in writing by the manufacturer that all scanners in the United States network are capable of detecting it.
To prematurely implant a chip that may not be detected in cases of regulatory or disaster issues, may be to the detriment of the horse.
The American Horse Council website has posted information and includes this sentence acknowledging the problem with the 134.2 kHz chip for horses, "Microchip vendors and veterinarians expanded the use of the “pet chip” to include horses, and for the most part it has worked very well. The recent introduction of the 11784/11785 microchip technology which has 15 characters and operates at 134.2 kHz has the potential to cause problems". |
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Is there a worldwide standard for microchips in horses? |
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No. Some countries use 125 kHz systems, and others use 134.2 kHz systems. Some countries use both.
Bottom line…. Use the 125 kHz Equine microchips to fully protect horses residing in the United States who will function within our existing network.
These chips and scanners comply with the ISO Standard 11785, Annex A. This chip is accepted worldwide. If you have any questions regarding standards or compatibility, please call our offices before you purchase.
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