What is the Federal Equine Identification Plan?

The Federal Equine Identification Plan (FEIP) is a program created to identify horses for the purpose of improving the livestock industry and protecting the health of the animals. Through the FEIP, each horse in Delaware is assigned a unique horse identifier, or UHI. This UHI consists of a specific 15-character number that includes information such as breed, sex, age, color, and markings. This identifier is registered with the United States Department of Agriculture and is tracked by the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The FEIP is important for many reasons. It helps track horses for health-related issues, like when a horse is infected with a contagious disease. It also helps protect against the potential theft of horses, as the UHI serves as a form of identification that can be verified. Equine law enforcement can also use the FEIP to detect violations such as horse cruelty, as records can be connected to specific owners or riders. The FEIP is mandatory in Delaware for all horses. All equine owners and riders must ensure their horses have been assigned a UHI and registered with NAIS. This process is accomplished through the veterinarian who will administer a form of identification to the horse and fill in the necessary information. This form of identification must be updated every time a horse changes owners or is relocated to a new state. Overall, the Federal Equine Identification Plan is an important system for Delaware, as it helps protect the welfare of the equine population, trace the source of disease outbreaks, and prevent the theft of horses. It is critical for all equine owners and riders to ensure their horses are properly registered under the FEIP.

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