Traveling with your horse can be fun, but horse owners need to know the horse health requirements of each state they are traveling through to make sure their trip goes smoothly for both horse and owner.
Interstate travel health requirements for horses
Each state's veterinary officials determine the health requirements for a horse's entry into their state.
When traveling across the United States, each state can set different health requirements, which must be met by horses coming into these states. For example, animals transported across state lines into Pennsylvania are required to have a certificate of veterinary inspection completed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian. This certificate is completed by a veterinarian from the state of origin. Without this certificate, the horse and owner cannot pass through check points in the state.
Each state's veterinary officials determine the requirements for entry into their specific state. These state requirements are subject to changes, and it is often impossible to provide a current (up to date) list of requirements of each of the states.
In addition to the state health requirements, the USDA has adopted a new Animal Disease Traceability Program.
The purpose of all this regulation is to safeguard the health of our horse population. Important information is highlighted at US Rider /EquestrianMotorPlan for many states.
Horse owners that are traveling to various states can contact their state veterinarian's office for up-dated information about most states.