Neigh there, friends! It’s Whinny, your wise clinic mouse, here to chat about an important topic for all our equine buddies: Coggins tests and health certificates. If you’ve ever planned to travel with your horse or take them to events, you’ve probably heard these terms. But do you know why they’re so important? Let’s dive into the details.

What Is a Coggins Test?

A Coggins test checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a viral disease that’s serious and potentially life-threatening for horses. This disease spreads through blood-sucking insects like horseflies and deer flies, making it essential to identify carrier horses. A Coggins test ensures horses participating in shows, events, or traveling between states are EIA-free, helping protect all the other horses attending, not to mention all the horses those horses might contact in the weeks after the event. You see how quickly this could spiral!

EIA first appeared in the United States in the 19th century, devastating the horse population. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Dr. Leroy Coggins developed a reliable test to identify horses infected with EIA, which became a game-changer for disease control. Before the widespread use of the Coggins test, outbreaks could sweep through entire barns and communities, causing severe economic and emotional tolls on horse owners. Today, thanks to decades of diligent testing and regulation, cases of EIA have become rare, but vigilance remains essential to prevent outbreaks. Rare does not equal eradicated!

Whinny’s Wisdom: If you’re a barn owner, it’s essential to require a current Coggins test from all boarders. This simple step helps prevent potential EIA outbreaks that could devastate your entire barn community. Ensuring that all horses are EIA-free is a key part of responsible management and helps foster a safe, healthy environment for all horses on the property.

 Coggins Tests Need to Be Repeated Annually

Coggins tests are only valid for one year, and there’s a reason for that. A horse that tests negative one year could still become infected later. Annual testing helps catch new cases and ensures that horses remain EIA-free when they are most likely to interact with others at events, shows, or during travel. Regular testing helps maintain a healthy, safe equine community and reduces the risk of undetected carriers.  

Coggins testing isn’t just any blood test—it’s regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure accuracy and reliability. Only certified laboratories are permitted to perform Coggins tests to maintain strict quality standards. Here at Springhill Equine, we’re proud to be a certified Coggins testing lab, which means we can quickly and efficiently run these tests in-house for our clients. This helps ensure that your horse’s results are accurate and returned to you as swiftly as possible.

What Are Health Certificates? 

Health certificates, often called Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), are documents issued by a veterinarian to verify that your horse is healthy and free of contagious diseases before traveling. They’re typically required for interstate travel and participation in most equine events.

Think of health certificates as a passport for your horse. They ensure that your horse isn’t carrying or spreading diseases to new areas, which is especially important when horses from different places come together. This not only protects the horses but also helps control potential outbreaks that could affect local and regional equine health. 

Health certificates must be issued within 10 days of travel to ensure the most up-to-date health status. They’re generally valid for 30 days, as horses’ health can change quickly, and this timeframe minimizes the risk of a horse developing or spreading illness after the exam. The veterinarian performing the exam will check for signs of illness, take the horse’s temperature, and assess overall health.

What Happens If You Skip Them?

Traveling without a current Coggins test or health certificate can result in fines or being turned away from events and state borders. More importantly, it puts other horses at risk. Following these regulations keeps your horse safe and your travel plans smooth.

Keeping up with Coggins tests and health certificates isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about being a responsible horse owner and protecting the community. The USDA’s regulations and the use of certified labs help ensure the safety and health of all horses. At Springhill Equine, we’re here to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible, so you and your horse can stay on track for your adventures. Your horse deserves to stay healthy and happy, and so do their friends.

Have questions about getting your horse tested or need a health certificate for your next trip? Our team is always here to help!

Until next time, keep those manes flowing and hooves trotting! 🐴

~Whinny

P.S. If you’d like to know more about Equine Infectious Anemia, or any other horse-health topic, scroll down a bit and check out our Podcast! You can click on the Play button to listen to any episode, and it’s all free! The EIA episode is Season 4 Episode 9.