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Objective—To determine whether microchips used for identification migrate after implantation in horses, donkeys, and mules.Design—Prospective study.Animals—53 horses, donkeys, and mules.Procedure—Twenty horses that had had microchips implanted in the nuchal ligament at a veterinary teaching hospital from 1996 through early 2000 were included (group 1), and the poll-to-withers distance and location of the microchip were determined, measured, and recorded. Additionally, the poll-to-withers distance was measured in 16 horses, 12 donkeys, and 5 mules (group 2), and microchips were implanted in the nuchal ligament on the left side of the neck. Fortytwo to 67 days after implantation, the location of the microchip was determined, measured, and recorded.Results—Microchips implanted in the nuchal ligament ≤ 4 years previously did not migrate. All microchips were detected with a multimode identification tag reader from the left side of the neck in the midcervical region, and microchips were located at the midpoint between the poll and withers for all 53 horses, donkeys, and mules.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Microchips implanted in the nuchal ligament ≤ 4 years earlier did not migrate in horses. Microchips may be useful for identification in horses. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2003; 223:1316–1319)

Objective—To evaluate efficacy of debridement for treatment of supraspinous bursitis in horses and to evaluate the outcome. Design—Retrospective study. Animals—10 horses with clinical signs of supraspinous bursitis. Procedure—Medical records were reviewed for signalment, anamnesis, results of physical and radiographic examination, microbial culture results of supraspinous bursa tissue or exudate, Brucella abortustiters, type of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapies, surgical technique, complications of the surgical procedure, and findings on histologic examination of excised nuchal ligament and bursal tissue. Telephone follow-up with owners, trainers, or referring veterinarians was performed. Results—The described surgical technique was effective in resolving drainage from the supraspinous bursal region in 5 of 6 horses available for long-term follow-up. The most common complication following surgery was the development of purulent wound drainage. Two horses required multiple surgeries to resolve clinical signs of supraspinous bursitis. The most common organism isolated from the supraspinous bursa was β- hemolytic Streptococcus spp. All horses were discharged from the hospital and long-term follow-up was available for 6 horses. All 6 horses could be used for their intended use. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Debridement in standing horses is an effective method of resolving clinical signs of supraspinous bursitis. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:74–78)