Coggins Testing and Health Certificates

The Coggins Test is performed to check for a contagious disease called Equine Infectious Anemia.  There is no effective treatment for Equine Infectious Anemia, and the disease is reportable and regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture.  Proof of a negative Coggins test (the name coming from the man who invented the laboratory test used to detect the disease) is required any time a horse is sold and also required for interstate travel.  Most equine venues also require proof of a negative Coggins test within the past 12 months before allowing your horse to move onto their property.  A Coggins test is performed on a serum sample after some official USDA documents are filled out in quadruplicate.  This test is performed at a USDA-certified laboratory and results are available within 24 hours after the sample is received at the laboratory.  It may take up to 7 days to receive your negative Coggins Test documentation. So, plan ahead if you need this document before you move or sell a horse.
 

Health Certificates are required any time livestock, including horses, travel across state lines (interstate travel).  Items you will need to properly fill out a Health Certificate are:

1. Proof of current vaccinations
2. A current and negative Coggins’ test
3. The origin and destination of livestock travel
4. The name and license number of the transport company
5. A signature from an accredited veterinarian
6. A signature of the animal’s owner or owner’s agent. 

The animal is inspected before shipment and is deemed ‘healthy’ before departure.