All horses, ponies and donkeys should have an identification certificate (it is now an offence to export a horse used for competitions/move to a new keepers premises/present for slaughter for human consumption/sell a horse/use for breeding purposes - IF NOT ACCOMPANIED BY A VALID PASSPORT).

For up to date information see the DEFRA Website:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/.../passports.htm

An added protection against theft is the microchip which is implanted into the upper part of the horses neck. This can be done at anytime. An obvious time to do this is when the vet comes to give a booster vaccination.

All horses born after  October 2006 should be chipped before they are 1 year old.