Revised by Jason L. Turner

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Author: Extension Horse Specialist, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University. (Print friendly PDF)

Introduction

Determining which official documents are required for transporting horses into, around, and out of New Mexico can be confusing for the new horse owner. Furthermore, in the modern age of animal disease surveillance, these requirements may be modified on a frequent basis. While the recommendations in this guide were current at the time of publication, owners should contact the New Mexico Livestock Board and/or the specific equine event they are attending to determine if additional documentation is needed. Once you have properly determined what documents are required for transporting your horses, it is recommended that you prepare a notebook to keep all of the following information organized and readily available in the vehicle when transporting your horses. A copy of this notebook kept in the home is a valuable “backup” of this important information.

Photo courtesy of Jason French.

Brand Inspection

When traveling within the district your horse resides in (Figure 1), a brand inspection form (Figure 2) is not required; however, it is recommended that you carry proof of ownership (bill of sale or registration papers) at all times. When you transport your horse from one inspection district to another, you are required to have a current brand inspection form (Figure 2) dated within the previous 7 days, or a permanent hauling permit (Form 1-H; Figure 3). Furthermore, horses that reside in New Mexico for more than 30 days are required to have a brand inspection. For more information, please contact the New Mexico Livestock Board or the local brand inspector in your district.

New Mexico Livestock Board Inspection Districts
Approved December 6, 2001

Figure 1. Map showing inspection districts for the New Mexico Livestock Board. Courtesy of the New Mexico Livestock Board.

Figure 2. Example of a temporary brand inspection form used by the New Mexico Livestock Board. Courtesy of the New Mexico Livestock Board.

Figure 3. Example of Form 1-H. Courtesy of the New Mexico Livestock Board.

Veterinary Inspection

Although a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI; Figure 4), or what is commonly referred to as “health papers,” is not routinely required for transporting horses within New Mexico, a CVI is required when transporting horses across the New Mexico state line into surrounding states. A CVI is available from any licensed New Mexico veterinarian, and it is normally valid for 30 days following the official inspection of the horse(s) it covers. On the CVI, the veterinarian provides specific information about the horses being shipped; the CVI may also include the results of laboratory tests used to verify that the horses are free of certain diseases.

Figure 4. Example form used by the New Mexico Livestock Board for Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Courtesy of the New Mexico Livestock Board.

In addition to the CVI, a copy of the form (Figure 5) used to verify a negative laboratory test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) is required for transport across the New Mexico state line as well as entry into various exhibition grounds, shows, and rodeos in New Mexico. This form is commonly referred to as a horse’s Coggins’ papers. Normally, these test results are valid for use in transporting horses for 12 months following the test; however, some states or specific venues may require more frequent testing. Specific laboratory tests for other diseases in addition to EIA (e.g., equine viral arteritis, equine piroplasmosis, etc.) may be required to verify that the horses being transported are free of disease. These tests may only be required of horses of a certain breed, age, sex, use, or geographic location. Be sure to check with the appropriate regulatory agency to determine if documents other than the CVI and EIA forms are required for the horse(s) you intend to transport.

Figure 5. Example of form used to record Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA or Coggins’) test results for horses. Available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/eia/downloads/vs_form10-11.pdf.

Specific Locations and/or Events

Shipping horses to specific equine events (e.g., shows, rodeos, sales, etc.) in New Mexico or transporting horses to other states may entail more stringent entry requirements than those previously mentioned. Furthermore, transport requirements change frequently in order to minimize the spread of equine diseases. Therefore, horse owners are strongly encouraged to contact management of the specific event or the office of the state veterinarian where they intend to travel to determine the exact requirements for the dates of travel. Contact information for all 50 states is available from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-import-information/entry-requirements/us-state-and-territory-animal-import-regulations). For more information concerning export of horses to other countries, visit the USDA-APHIS website (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/export).

Office of the State Veterinarian
New Mexico Livestock Board
2105 Osuna Road NE Building South
Albuquerque, NM 87113-3203
Telephone: (505) 841-6161
Fax: (505) 841-6160
https://www.nmlbonline.com/

Office of the State Veterinarian
Arizona State Department of Agriculture
1110 W Washington St., Suite 450
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone: (602) 542-4293
Fax: (602) 542-4290
https://agriculture.az.gov/animals/state-veterinarians-office

Office of the State Veterinarian
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Animal Health Division
305 Interlocken Parkway
Broomfield, CO 80021
Telephone: (303) 869-9130
Fax: (303) 466-8515
https://ag.colorado.gov/animals/contact-animal-health

Office of the State Veterinarian
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
2800 N Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone: (405) 521-3864
Fax: (405) 522-4912
https://ag.ok.gov/divisions/animal-industry-state-veterinarian/

Office of the State Veterinarian
Division of Animal Industry
Utah Department of Agriculture
4315 South 2700 West
TSOB South Bldg., Floor 2
Taylorsville, UT 84129-2128
Telephone: (801) 982-2200
Fax: (385) 465-6022
https://ag.utah.gov/farmers/animal-industry/

Office of the State Veterinarian
Texas Animal Health Commission
P.O. Box 12966
Austin, TX 78711-2966
Telephone: (800) 550-8242
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/

References

New Mexico Livestock Board. NM import/export rules. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.nmlbonline.com/index.php?id=7

For further reading

B-707: Evaluation of Equine Hoof Care
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_b/B707/

B-711: Help Your Horse Handle Heat Stress
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_b/B711/

B-715: Are You Ready to Own a Horse? Basic Essentials of Equine Ownership
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_b/B715/

Original authors: Jason L. Turner, Extension Horse Specialist; John Wenzel, Extension Veterinarian; and Sam Wilson, New Mexico Livestock Board. Subsequently revised by Jason L. Turner; Donald Martinez, Extension Agriculture Agent; and John Wenzel.

Jason L. Turner is a Professor and Extension Horse Specialist at NMSU. He was active in 4-H and FFA while growing up in Northeastern Oklahoma. His M.S. and Ph.D. studies concentrated on equine reproduction, health, and management. His Extension programs focus on proper care and management of the horse for youth and adults..

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Revised November 2022 Las Cruces, NM