Coggins Testing How does the law read on this?

[Marty]

If I am transporting a horse within my state, just from one county to another, do I still need a coggins test ?

I plan to coggins all my sales horses but don't want them to expire prematurely.

Thank you!

 

[wildoak]

Marty the law varies from state to state, you would need to check yours specifically. In Texas, you are required to have a neg coggins if you haul to any gathering where there will be 2 or more horses, ie pretty much anywhere. Inspectors have been known to show up at ropings and horse shows and check coggins - I remember a number of years ago there were several guys who were fined about $500 at a roping locally.

I don't think we have a law requiring horses to have a coggins just to be transported in a trailer within the state.

Interesting note - I read not long ago that there are very few cases of EIA being reported now, which means that the testing has done it's job. They suggested that we may see the laws being backed off in the future to require less frequent testing.

Jan

 

[Jill]

I do think it varies from state to state.

It's my understanding in VA, you are required to have a coggins if you are traveling on public roads.

The state ag department probably would know the answer.

 

[Miniv]

Marty,

Check with your vet about the coggins requirement within the state. He would have the "book" stating the law for your state and others too.

As posted above, every state is different.......including how long the coggins certificate is good for. Some states, it's good for only 6 months, others it's a year.

Our state -- Oregon -- has a 6 month coggins certificate, but if we are moving a horse within the state, none is required. However, Texas has a one year coggins and it IS required to get a coggins when moving a horse within the state.........just to give you an example.

(It's a pain.......wish all the states would get together and be the same.)

MA

 

[wade3504]

I know here in Florida that they can come to your farm and check to see if you have them. It's been done twice at two different stables I've boarded at. Both times the owners had all the current goggins on the horses there. Also, if you leave you take your horse anywhere in the trailer they need to have one.

Amanda

 

[vvf]

I ran across this site awhile back. It lists all the states and requirements for interstate horse hauling. (coggins/health papers)

Of course it doesn't say anything about what is needed within your own state, but does list phone numbers to call.

Just schroll down the page a ways.

each state requiremnts for shipping

 

[Irish Hills Farm]

TN law requires a coggins test for horses sold regardless if they are staying within the state or are leaving the state. In Tennessee, a coggins test is good for 1 year from the date the test was done.

In Michigan a coggins test is good for 1 year, the year beginnings January 1st and ending December 31st regardless of when the test was done.

 

[Boinky]

i think here in maine TECHNICALLY every horse is supposed to have it done...regardless if it's leaves the property or not.. HOWEVER.. most people don't.. It is considered good for THREE years if used within the state and you have to have a 6 month one if coming from out of state.

it's such a useless test and a waste of money..but i wont get into that here..it's a sore topic with me! lol

 

[minifancier]

it's such a useless test and a waste of money..

And I sure will agree with that wholeheartedly even my vet says so

: ~!

 

[HGFarm]

AZ coggins tests are good for a year, and only needed if you are hauling out of state. They are only issued to that owner though. If the horse is sold, say to someone in CA, the coggins is only to get the horse to the new owner. If they are hauling to a show 3 months later, they have to get their own coggins test redone in their name.

Some states do not require a test on horses under 6 months old, due to the fact they may pick up antibodies from the mother, and show a positive reaction from that in error.

Yes, your vet will have all the scoop on that stuff and let you know what's required

And yes, I agree with it being a useless test. The 'government' has killed more horses than the disease ever did.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

I think its a great test

Its federal law to have a coggins no older than 12 months to cross a state line. Within state borders its up to the state to decide... when I was in Colorado NOBODY cared, unless you left the state. When I purchased my pony the seller refused to have one pulled! I demanded one, paid for by either of us, but I wouldn't buy him without a negative coggins!

Most states require current coggins on any horse on state or federal roads. A good rule to follow is to have them pulled every year and always keep a copy wherever the horse goes!

 

[Fred]

Actually, I know in my state its a money thing. In state its one year UNLESS you plan on showing at UNH, UNH is where the lab is or going to Mass or ME. I would far prefer to have a RABIES required than a coggins.

 

[minifancier]

Ya for sure, as I have sold and bought horses for years now even moving them from one State to another without that blasted coggins papers. Even many a donkey~! In the first place When the coggins test was first used it was Never intended to be used as it is today, and besides it is just a "One Snap shot in time" doesn't mean the next day the horse wouldn't get infected and it would be a Years time before the next test is done.

WE NEED a Vaccine~! Not this testing being done.

The chances your horse is going to die from Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) are slim and none. Why?

EIA is a viral disease characterized by a hemolytic anemia, depression,intermittent fever and sometimes edema.

Do horses die from it? Sometimes, but rarely.

I asked dozens of veterinarians if they had ever seen a horse die of EIA.

None had. I’ve been a horseowner and trainer for more than 40 years, and I’ve never even seen a horse seriously ill from EIA.

Ask the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) how many horses die from EIA and the answer is "we don’t have any idea." Yet it is the Code of Federal Regulations, Diseases in Horses, which provides individual states the opportunity to adopt a quarantine or euthanize (slaughter) means to eradicate the disease.

And most states are doing just that---quarantining and killing useful, apparently healthy horses which test positive for EIA. Has there been eradication of the disease over the last 30 years? Of course not!

Why?

Money!

 

[Boinky]

yep.. horse could come down with it seconds after the vet pulls the blood.. it's useless if you have any brains in your head to think it through. I can see how occationally maybe having them done to see what the population that may contain this disease is..but i don't see it as truly stopping the spread of the disease ect. I also dont' understand why they require some of the vaccinations they do.. like WNV.. as far as my research goes.. they don't usually die from it..it's usually flu like symptoms. it's the sick, weak, old ect that have problems with it... If it was so darned effective..why don't they have a vaccine for people too???

Right now we are going through the EVH neurological viral scare. a couple of horses turned up with it here..now the state vet foolishly recommended that all shows ect require the EVH shot... WELLLLLLLL now the reason i say STUPIDLY is because the Rhino shot does NOT cover the viral version of the disease..it only covers the respritory version which only causes some flu like symptoms in healthy horses and abortion in pregnant mares.. doesn't cover the neurological form..so WHY WHY WHY require this shot? it's not cheap... you have to have a vet administer it to be able to show ect.. STUPID..

ugg sorry..now i'm just in a tangent..because this crap bothers me..it's all a money grab..vets make darned good money on all of these shots and tests. Rabies you can order for $2.30 per horse out of a catelogue..but many states wont allow you to get it... the vet turns around and charges $15 ++++ (depending on who you have do it) for the same shot.. definatly a big mark up and alot of money made off that shot plus farm call ect.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

Then maybe we should have required tests every 3 months instead. That way we can catch infected horses faster and remove them from the population, no?

If its the best we have, its what we should do. If you never test you could have the disease for years, spreading it (yes, it CAN be spread, not easily, but it can) everywhere you go. Or you can test every year (or biannually like I do) and know ASAP that you have a problem, and deal with that issue.

I'd like to think that I have brains, and if you think it through enough you realize that testing like this IS useful. No, not perfect, but useful.

 

[Boinky]

honestly if the test didn't cost so danged much i wouldn't object to it being done more frequently..but when your talking $45-50 (depending on if you do the slow or fast method) it ads up dang fast for a test that isn't even really as usefull as it could/should be for a disease ... but hey that's just me..i object to having to pay a fortune for something that is as useless as it really is..

not that this is horse related but i also feel that Hip checks in dogs should be done more than once in a dogs lifetime to make sure DJD doesn't come over time.. but it also is a very expensive test so i can see why people DON'T..but it would be better for the breeds if they did do it more often. I'm not at all against prevention and doing things if they make it affordable to do so and actually DO prevent issues.. this i don't truly see as being an effective method..... Not like it's a really prevalent disease at that (especially in this area!!)....

 

[wwminis]

Here ya go marty!

STATE

VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATE

NEGATIVE COGGINS TEST

Alabama

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Alaska

X

X

Within 60 days of importation

Arizona

X

Void after 30 days

X

Within 12 months of importation

Arkansas

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

California

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

Colorado

X

Void after 30 days

(Implied requirement - to be included in health certificate)

Connecticut

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Delaware

(Insufficient information available)

X

Within 12 months of importation for racing/exhibition purposes

Florida

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Georgia

X

Void after 30 days

X

Within 12 months of importation

Hawaii

X

Within 7 days of shipment

X

Within 90 days of importation

Idaho

(Information unavailable)

(Information unavailable)

Illinois

X

Void after 30 days-not required if entering state temporarily for exhibition

X

Within 12 months of importation

Indiana

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Iowa

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Kansas

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Kentucky

X

Void after 30 days

X

Within 6 months of importation

Louisiana

X

Within 12 months of importation

Maine

X

Within 6 months of importation

Maryland

(Information unavailable)

(Information unavailable)

Massachusetts

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

Michigan

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

Minnesota

X

Void after 30 days-not required if entering state temporarily for exhibition and subject to a veterinary inspection

X

Within 12 months of importation

Mississippi

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Missouri

X

Void after 30 days

X

Within 12 months of importation

Montana

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

Nebraska

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Nevada

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

New Hampshire

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

New Jersey

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

New Mexico

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

New York

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

North Carolina

X

Void after 30 days-not required if entering state temporarily for exhibition

X

Within 12 months of importation

North Dakota

X

X

Within I2 months of importation

Ohio

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

Oklahoma

(Information unavailable)

(Information unavailable)

Oregon

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

Pennsylvania

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

Rhode Island

X

South Carolina

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

South Dakota

X

Void after 30 days

X

Within 12 months of importation

Tennessee

X

Void after 30 days

X

Within 6 months if entering state for sale. Within 12 months for all other purposes

Texas

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Utah

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Vermont

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Virginia

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Washington

X

X

Within 6 months of importation

West Virginia

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Wisconsin

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

Wyoming

X

X

Within 12 months of importation

 

[crponies]

I also dont' understand why they require some of the vaccinations they do.. like WNV.. as far as my research goes.. they don't usually die from it..it's usually flu like symptoms. it's the sick, weak, old ect that have problems with it... If it was so darned effective..why don't they have a vaccine for people too???

Well, personally, I have observed a beautiful mare that was healthy and in her prime devastated neurologically from WNV and she did die from it. So, it is not just the sick, weak, old, etc. that get really sick from it.

Also, they are currently doing clinical trials of a WNV for people so it may be coming really soon for us.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

If you've seen WN you wouldn't think that

And they are working feverishly on a human vaccine as well. Disease control wasn't possible before vaccines, I don't understand why people are so upset about being required to do such basic levels of testing/vaccination.

And those of you that have to pay $50 for a coggins need to find a new vet/lab. The test itself costs under $20, usually under $10 in the states that help subsidize it, to run, plus what the vet charges to pull the blood. Most of the charge would be in the service call. In NH, which wasn't subsidized, I think I paid $30. Its just one of the costs that makes horse ownership not for the faint of heart! If you can't afford to maintain a herd of 20 head, maybe you should consider downsizing to a size that is more managable and affordable?

 

[frekles93]

[SIZE=14pt]I dont understand the "Void after 30 days" thing in Missouri. I know here you have to have it to go to shows. Havent been to one yet that ASKS to see it though. You do not have to test foals as long as they are on the mare (that has a negative one) or a year of age. They are good for a year from the date they where drawn. They are not required just to move your horse within the state. It is also just common practice here that you get a negative coggins at time of sale. As for positive horses, you have to either put them down or keep them stalled with a mosquito net around them for the rest of their lives. [/SIZE]

April