Horse Health Certificate Vet Guide 2025 – Dr Duncan Houston 📄🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc – essential guidance on equine health certificates and Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).

Introduction

A horse health certificate—also known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)—is a legal document required when transporting horses interstate, internationally, or sometimes intrastate. It confirms your horse is free from contagious disease and fit to travel. This 2025 guide covers everything you need: purpose, key components, process, timing, costs, and extended validity options. 🧭

📋 What Is a Health Certificate?

A health certificate is issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian after examining your horse and reviewing a negative Coggins test. It certifies that your horse shows no signs of contagious disease and includes destination, travel purpose, and official approval :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🛡️ Why It Matters

This certificate helps prevent the spread of diseases like EIA, strangles, vesicular stomatitis, herpesvirus, and equine influenza by ensuring only healthy horses travel—particularly in shows, sales, breeding, or trailering :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🗂️ What’s Included?

• Owner and origin/destination details
• Horse’s ID: description, microchip, brand, color, age :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Negative Coggins (EIA) test results :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Exam findings: temperature, gums, lungs/heart, behavior :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Statement of fitness and vet signature/date (usually within past 10 days) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Transport details: dates, stops, hauler info :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

🕒 When Is It Needed?

• Interstate or international travel—always required :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• Some in‑state events, shows, or boarding facilities :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Sales, auctions, breeding transport, or vet referrals :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• International export—requires disease-specific tests and USDA-endorsed CVIs :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

⏳ Validity Period

• Standard CVIs valid for 30 days; some require 72‑hour window :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Extended Equine CVI (EECVI) valid up to 6 months—ideal for frequent travelers :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Destinations with recent outbreaks may require shorter validity :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

📆 Process Step-by-Step

1. Schedule Coggins test at least 7 days before travel to ensure lab results are timely :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
2. Prepare travel details, destination requirements, and vaccination history :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
3. Vet conducts physical exam—checks vitals, lungs, heart, mucous membranes, behavior :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
4. Negative Coggins result arrives; vet completes the CVI form within 10 days of exam :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
5. For international travel, vet may enter info into VEHCS and have USDA endorse document :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
6. Owner receives endorsed paper or digital certificate and submits to destination as required

💰 Costs

Typically $15–$45 USD per certificate, varying by region, vet time, travel stops, and administrative fees (e.g., GlobalVetLink). Extended certificates may cost more :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

📝 Common Pitfalls & Tips

• Vet must physically examine; telephone issuance not allowed :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
• Each horse requires individual exam—multiple horses on one CVI is okay if traveling together :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
• Include all stops and contact info to prevent border delays :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
• Check if brand inspection is needed for ownership validation :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
• Know your destination’s required window and vaccination testing :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}

✅ Tips to Smooth the Process

• Plan ahead—Coggins and vet exam before travel is key :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
• Keep digital copies & list of papers handy during travel :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
• Use EECVI for frequent travelers to reduce repeat costs :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
• Ask vet to file with both origin & destination states if required :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
• Create a checklist: Coggins date, exam date, trip info, papers in folder/app

📲 Ask A Vet Support & Conclusion

Health certificates are essential for legal and safe horse movement. With timely testing, proper documentation, and awareness of regulations, you can help your horse travel smoothly and protect equine health. If you're organizing travel, shows, breeding, or sales—**Ask A Vet** offers customized travel checklists, reminders, and vet consults via our app. Download the Ask A Vet App today to streamline your travel preparations! 🐎📲