Shipping Horses Across State Lines or Internationally

By Sylvia Ouellette, DVM dip ABVP (Equine)

“Help, my horse is leaving the state tomorrow and the hauler says I need a health certificate!!.” We as Veterinarians are often called to examine a horse that will be “leaving tomorrow” to go to another state. While we understand that life gets in the way and there are many things to consider when you are preparing to move your horses, you need to plan ahead for this situation.

As much as it may be an emergency to you, we cannot make the lab run the necessary bloodwork any faster.

In order to write a health certificate, or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, for interstate transport in the United States, we first need to obtain a negative Coggins Test on your horse and examine your horse to make sure it is healthy enough for transport. Already have a Coggins Test completed within the last 6-12 months? Then yes, we can examine your horse, fill out the paperwork and you can be on your way shortly. (Some states differ on whether they require a negative test 6 OR 12 months from date of travel)

If you do not have a completed Coggins Test, then that is a different story. Coggins testing can performed by a couple different methods. Agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) is the “gold standard” for Coggins testing and when you are transporting horses internationally, that is usually the required method. The test can take 3-4 days minimum to get the results back, and you will need the original Coggins paperwork sent with the health certificate for transport. The other way is with a c-ELISA test, which is usually quicker and can be completed sometimes within 24-48 hours, depending on the proximity to the lab in order to get the original paperwork back on time.

Coggins testing is for the disease Equine Infectious Anemia. Why is this disease so important that the United States of America wants every horse tested that is being transported? Because it is a potentially fatal viral disease with a high degree of morbidity (highly contagious) in horses, donkeys and mules with no known cure. This disease was thought to be eradicated within the US, but now isolated cases every year have been turning up. When horses are diagnosed with this disease, they are usually humanely euthanized due to the disease and to prevent spread. Horses that survive become chronic shedders of the virus and would need to remain on lifelong isolation to protect others around it. To keep the USA free of this disease, the government instituted this protocol to protect the horse population.

What does Equine Infectious Anemia look like? Some of the clinical signs may include: fever, depression, weight loss, anemia and petechial (pinpoint sized) hemorrhages on the mucous membranes, swelling of legs, lower chest and abdomen, decreased appetite, fatigue, rapid weight loss, or nasal bleeding. Transmission is usually by blood or in-utero passage from a mare to a foal. Blood transmission can occur by blood-sucking insects (such as horse flies, deer flies and mosquitoes), or by blood transfusions or contaminated needles.

Equine Infectious Anemia is a reportable disease. If positive, your horse must be reported to the state Veterinarian and the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

When traveling internationally, we need even more time to get your paperwork together. In addition to a Coggins test, many countries have additional diseases that require testing. Also, the paperwork will need to be sent to a USDA office for approval prior to shipping which can take an additional week to obtain. Please plan accordingly.

If you are unsure about requirements, please call your Veterinarian’s office. They will be able to help you plan, call the states you will be traveling to in advance to acquire the necessary permit numbers and protocols necessary. Good communication and planning will help to make your travels worry free.