The National Animal Identification System – A Horseman’s Perspective
By Kathryn Brim, Editor

As many of you already know, the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is often times a very controversial subject amongst horse owners. Questions abound, concerns are voiced, and more often than not, passionate opinions and thoughts are expressed.

Because the NAIS focuses on all livestock, and many times the highest priorities are those animals intended for human consumption, the vast majority of public information regarding the program is cattle, dairy or pork-focused. As a result, horse owners often times feel like they are trying to decipher “horse” information from “non-horse” people.

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NAIS & Horses - Microchipping & Identification Information

The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) has been developed by the USDA to act as a national animal disease response network.

The NAIS includes the following programs:
Premises Registration: A "premises" is a piece of property or land - most often housing any and all types of livestock, including equine. To register a premises, the following information must be given: contact information, business type (individual, corporation, non-profit, etc.), operation type (production, boarding, clinic), and species housed. Click here to view the full registration form (pdf 1MB). 

Animal Identification: The animal identification component of NAIS implements individual or group animal identification numbers (AIN). The AIN is unique and stays with the animal for its lifetime. This number links the animal to its birthplace or premises of origin. The approved animal identification device for horses is the ISO-compliant injectable transponder. Learn more about this device here (pdf 129kb). 

Animal Tracing: This final piece of the NAIS program continues to be under development. The animal tracing system would essentially link individual or group AINs with the premises they have been housed on.
 
**Each one of these programs is voluntary. 

Equine Species Working Group:
The Equine Species Working Group has been developed in order to act as the voice for the equine industry during the development and implementation of these programs. This group is co-chaired by Dr. Jim Moorehead of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Dr. Billy Smith of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). Their latest recommendations can be viewed on pages 26 and 27 of the 2007 NAIS Business Plan. (view pdf. here)

Click here to see some of the tough questions associated with the NAIS program - and how both sides react.