Chips4Tack is a 'complete' I.D. system in that we offer a three pronged deterrence. 1) A very visual self-adhesive label in the saddle gullett and both an invisible identifier inside the saddle and a permanent, visible ID mark engraved on the stirrup bar.  This is further enhanced by the added benefit of FREE Life of the Saddle database registration.  

Chips4Tack is the only system currently on the market offering these two 'secure' components and saddle lifetime free registration. 

Misleading names......

If you're looking for ID marking for your saddlery don't be misled by names giving the impression that a particular microchip can be tracked! None of the microchips normally used in this type of identification marking are, or can be, tracked by GPS or any other means.  The chips, all the chips currently used, are for short range ID purposes only and can only be checked by a microchip reader designed for that purpose!

You can get tracker devices but they are relatively bulky and cost, generally, a couple of hundred pounds against a normal ID system chip costing under £25 fitted and registered!  As per normal - you get what you pay for.

Visual marking ......

For visual marking post-coding can be useful but it can also be a whole bunch of red herrings! Move house or sell your saddle and the postcode you put on has a greatly diminished relevance and is only useful as a possible place to start enquiries.  If the new owner adds their postcode then how are the police supposed to know which is the right one and they can end up chasing round the countryside looking for the correct owner. How much better for everyone to have ONE visual ID Code that will always remain relevant and readily lead to the saddle's registered owner.

One police force questioned, who have their own tack database and run regular, free, tack marking sessions, tell us that they don't use postcode marking at all - they ID mark tack with their own code. Then they know it's bona fide and their control room can give them factual information by radio, on current ownership.  The police force in question are actually keen to abandon their own database in favour of the Chips4Tack system because the police system is only countywide whereas the Chips4Tack system is countrywide, including Northern Ireland and soon Eire as well!

Microchipping your saddle. 

All Chips4Tack Fitters are professionally trained. We are currently appointing mainly trained saddlers or our own Master Saddler will train less experienced persons, maybe a Horsewatch member, to ensure a first class service when both chipping your saddle and engraving your stirrup bar.  

The Fitter will explain to you also how to register your saddles on our exclusive, Chips4Tack saddlery section on the Immobilise property database.

The chip will be fitted into a secure place inside your saddle where it will not be in danger of being damaged by normal saddle usage nor will it be in danger of getting lost during re-flocking.  

We advise that you DO NOT put DIY system chips into flocking holes - you are likely to lose your chip and waste your money the first time you get the saddle re-flocked! We further advise that you DO NOT invest in systems that claim to have their own national databases.  The police tend not to use any national database but Immobilise accessed via the PNC through their own, secure NMPR system. 

If you have a query about microchipping animals or tack email us [HERE] and if we don't know the answer we'll try to find it for you!