Weatherbys introduce Bio-termo microchips

In time for the 2023 foaling season, Weatherbys has introduced Bio-thermo microchips, which have the ability to take temperature readings, as well as storing each horse's unique identification number. 

Thoroughbred foals born in Britain from this year onwards will be supplied with a Bio-thermo microchip via their regular attending veterinary surgeon, which will enable handlers to take temperature readings and to upload them to the health area of the digital passport, where a baseline temperature can be calculated. 

Existing microchip scanners will be able to read the microchip number, but new devices may be required to access the temperature data (such as the Halo Smart Microchip Scanner.  The ability to obtain temperatures without the use of a rectal thermometer is especially useful when foals have infectious diarrhoea, minimising close contact with each individual and the requirement for disinfecting equipment. 

Older thoroughbreds will not be retrospectively issued with Bio-thermo microchips, but it is hoped that all British and Irish-bred foals will be implanted with them from the 2024 season onwards.       

Enhancements to the health tab on the e-passport now enable breeders to record the heights and weights of their foals, as well as viewing the temperature data they have uploaded for each individual.  This is part of the on-going process of digitisation of equine identification and health data, which demonstrate the high health status of thoroughbreds engaged in the racing and breeding industry.

A podcast discussing the introduction of the Bio-thermo microchips, featuring Sharon O'Regan (General Manager at Weatherbys Ireland) and TBA Trustee and Veterinary Consultant, James Crowhurst is available here.  There are three other podcasts available as part of this equine welfare series.