 |
 |
 |
INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRANSPORT
Horses travel between countries more often than any other animal species. Each year both the number of international equestrian events and horses traveling across international borders to those events increases.
This article highlights important measures to prevent your horse from spreading or contracting infectious diseases during their time abroad.
Not only do horses travel more than any other animal species, equine travel is rarely one-way; horses frequently make multiple trips to and from foreign countries. Extensive international travel is the single most important factor in the global spread of equine infectious diseases.
All horses traveling internationally must be accompanied by an International Health Certificate (IHC). This certificate is issued upon normal veterinary examination findings and blood test results. Blood testing must be performed by an approved laboratory for specified equine diseases that are country-specific. In the United States, equine international health certificates (IHCs) must be issued by a Category II accredited veterinarian and must subsequently be endorsed by a USDA veterinarian.
As you might imagine, international regulations change frequently. With respect to the exportation of horses from the US, blood test results must confirm that the animal is not currently infected with the following diseases (click on disease name to download corresponding PDF info file):
• Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)
• Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
• Eastern or Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE and WEE, respectively)
Equine influenza virus is another disease that is highly contagious and spreads rapidly between horses via aerosolization (i.e. through the air). With an incubation period of only 1–3 days, this virus is capable of causing explosive outbreaks.
The following infectious diseases can potentially be contracted by your horse while abroad (click on disease name to download corresponding PDF info file):
• Glanders
• Dourine
The international transport of horses is regulated in an attempt to prevent the transmission and spread of infectious disease. For international travel requirements concerning your horse(s), you should review the posted information on the International Regulations for Animal Export (IREGS) website.
For the most up-to-date regulations and standards regarding the international transport of your horse, please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations or contact your local Veterinary Services (VS) District Office.
You can also contact the National Import Export Services for your state and your state’s APHIS USDA Veterinary Office for more information.