24/05/2025
Why Studbook Registration Still Matters: It’s About More Than Just a Microchip
In the world of competitive equestrian sport, accuracy matters—especially when it comes to a horse's age and breeding. With the rollout of the National Equine Identification and Traceability (NEIT) system through the Equine Health Association, many horse owners are asking: “Why bother registering with a studbook when I can just microchip my horse?”
It’s a fair question—but the answer reveals a much bigger picture.
1. Microchips Are Not Proof of Age
Yes, a microchip is a helpful tool for identification, especially for disease control and national traceability. But a microchip alone cannot verify a horse’s age—and that matters greatly when it comes to competing in age-restricted events like young horse classes or national championships.
In New Zealand, foals can be born anytime between August and the following March—yet they may be classed in the same age group. By the time that horse is five or six, no vet can determine the actual birth month by examining its teeth. So while a microchip identifies the individual, it cannot confirm the birthdate, especially years down the track.
2. Microchips Don’t Record Parentage or Provenance
The NEIT database is a valuable tool for traceability, but it is not a pedigree or performance database. It does not store:
- The horse’s sire or dam
- The breed or studbook
- The breeder’s details or stud prefix
- Conception or foaling records
- Or even verified markings
3. ESNZ Doesn’t Track Horses From Birth
It’s also important to note that Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) does not manage horse identity from foaling. Their role begins only when a horse enters the competition system.
There’s currently no pathway through ESNZ to lodge a foal’s microchip number, proof of age, or parentage at the time of birth. That’s not what they’re set up to do.
4. What Studbooks Do That No One Else Can
This is where studbooks and breed associations play a vital role. They are the only organisations tasked with collecting, verifying, and archiving a horse’s identity from birth. Here’s what they provide:
- Verified Age: Through physical foal inspection or paperwork such as:
- Service certificates
- Vet insemination certificates
- Foaling records
- Proven Pedigree: DNA-verified parentage and official recognition of breed lines
- Secure Paper Trails: If misrepresentation ever occurs (e.g. on age or breeding), the studbook's archived records offer transparency and accountability
- Lifetime Identity: Breed registration also includes recognition of the breeder, stud prefix, and eligibility for performance awards, breed shows, and international passports
5. Here’s the Best Part: Studbooks and NEIT can work together
It’s actually a great idea to microchip your horse and enter the NEIT system. In fact, many studbooks are already planning on integrated with NEIT by default—which means that if you register with a studbook, your horse’s microchip and identity will automatically be part of the national traceability scheme.
So if you’re going to chip your horse (and you should), why not go the whole hog?
Set your horse up for life with:
- Verified age
- Proof of breeding
- Recognition of the breeder and stud prefix
- Eligibility for breed awards and young horse classes
- A passport that follows them through all phases of their career
In Summary
Microchipping is essential—but it’s only the first step.
If you want to give your horse a lifelong identity—one that will be recognised in competition, breeding, and traceability—start with a studbook. It's the only way to ensure your horse's age, parentage, and provenance are formally recognised, protected, and celebrated.
Because a microchip tells us who your horse is.
A studbook tells us who they came from, when they arrived, and where they’re headed.
