LEXINGTON, Ky - As horse owners in the Bluegrass state begin preparing for this year’s travel to horse shows and trail rides, a new option is available for horses traveling over state lines.
Currently most states require horses to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and a current negative Equine Infectious Anemia test, or Coggins test, to enter the state. Now horse owners in Kentucky have been given the option of an Equine Interstate Event Permit, which would be valid for six months, instead of just 30 days.
The Equine Interstate Movement Permit program is a voluntary program in participating states in the southeast designed to ease the health certificate requirements for horses that move interstate. In January of 2008, the Kentucky State Veterinarian, Robert Stout, accepted these new regulations. Currently there are 12 states, including Kentucky, that will accept Equine Interstate Event Permits issued in Kentucky.
Each horse’s permit contains the owner’s information, a specific description of the horse, the Equine Infectious Anemia test results for the horse, as well as digital pictures of the horse or other identification information.
There are some provisions of the program that horses must be aware of. The passport is not valid for change of ownership or sale, and some states have additional requirements as part of their participation in the program.
Interested horse owners can obtain more information about the permits from their state veterinarian’s website. Applications for KY issued permits can be found at http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/equine/index.htm. Information such as participating states, guidelines and an example of a permit can also be found on this site.
Written by Jennifer Whittle
