Horse Shows w/ Coggins date of less than a year

[Ellie&Werther]

I'm starting to work on entries for a show in September, and they want all Coggins dates to be within 9 months of the show. Our barn's standard practice is to draw for Coggins in mid December. My Mom shows jumpers and recently went to Spruce Meadows, there they require a Coggins that is from 6 months or less. How often do you see shows that want Coggins from less than a year?

[fatorangehorse]

and it's ridiculous.

[slc2]

I was under the impression that most show organizations still want to see a coggins less than six months old, it is required to be six months or less for some clinics, training barns and camps. I get them done twice a year, and always have copies in the barn, trailer tack room and truck, and I don't even horse show any more.

Most people find out what it is for the type of shows they plan on attending, and schedule the horse's shots and blood tests accordingly.

Since most horses show only during the summer, springtime shots time is a natural and convenient time to get the coggins, and then one only needs to do it once a year.

[Ghazzu]

I'm starting to work on entries for a show in September, and they want all Coggins dates to be within 9 months of the show. Our barn's standard practice is to draw for Coggins in mid December. My Mom shows jumpers and recently went to Spruce Meadows, there they require a Coggins that is from 6 months or less. How often do you see shows that want Coggins from less than a year?

Most shows that I see prize lists for specify "current Coggins".
If you're crossing state lines, that means within 6 months.
Within the state, it varies.

[fatorangehorse]

the crossing state lines piece - where is that published? I still think it's silly - as coggins tests have nothing to do with the issues that usually raise their head in the horse community - but will abide by all the rules. I have traditionally only gotten mine done annually. The places I go that require 6 mos - always seem to work out within 6 mos. I am sure I am breaking the rules though in crossing state lines after 6mos. My vet has never told me that when he's done my health certs.

[Ellie&Werther]

This is from the USDA website (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/eia/):
1. Categories of equines requiring testing—The following categories of
equines must be tested for EIA:
a. Equines being entered into exhibitions or competitive events: All
equines entered in exhibitions or competitive events must have
been tested for EIA with a negative result within the time
prescribed by local authorities and be documented on an official
EIA laboratory test form, as defined in this document. Event
officials must review official test papers of all equines entered into
an event to ensure that all participating equines are test-negative
for EIA.
b. Equines being moved interstate: All equines being moved
interstate must have been tested for EIA with a negative result
within 12 months prior to movement and must be accompanied by
a permit describing the equine, and signed by an accredited
veterinarian.
c. Equines changing ownership: All equines sold, traded, or donated
within a State must have been tested for EIA with a negative result
no more than 12 months prior to change in ownership and,
preferably, no more than 60 to 90 days. It is recommended that all
equines originating in high-risk areas be tested for EIA. In areas of
highest risk, one negative test may not be sufficient to ensure that
the equine is not infected with the EIAV. In such cases, it is
recommended that the new owner retest 60 days after obtaining ownership and make the sale contingent on a negative
retest result. All change of ownership transactions must be
accompanied by a certificate describing the equine, and signed by
an accredited veterinarian.
d. Equines entering horse auctions or sales markets: All auction or
sale markets, regardless of size, should be licensed by the State and are required by the State to keep records to expedite traceback capabilities. A negative EIA test is required for all equines prior to sale. If an EIA test is not possible prior to each sale, then the equines must be held in quarantine within the State until the test results are known. Markets should employ an accredited veterinarian to attend sales, interpret the validity of test papers presented, and draw blood for testing equines that have no current negative EIA test result.

[poltroon]

This is from the USDA website (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/eia/):
1. Categories of equines requiring testing—The following categories of
equines must be tested for EIA:
a. Equines being entered into exhibitions or competitive events: All
equines entered in exhibitions or competitive events must have
been tested for EIA with a negative result within the time
prescribed by local authorities and be documented on an official
EIA laboratory test form, as defined in this document. Event
officials must review official test papers of all equines entered into
an event to ensure that all participating equines are test-negative
for EIA.

This is by state, though, as the rule says. In California, Coggins are not required to show; as long as you don't cross the state line you will never need one.

[Ghazzu]

the crossing state lines piece - where is that published? I still think it's silly - as coggins tests have nothing to do with the issues that usually raise their head in the horse community - but will abide by all the rules. I have traditionally only gotten mine done annually. The places I go that require 6 mos - always seem to work out within 6 mos. I am sure I am breaking the rules though in crossing state lines after 6mos. My vet has never told me that when he's done my health certs.


Sorry. Sloppy on my part.
The time period is variable, depending on the state, but is 6 months in most, if not all of the places I write health certificates for.

[carovet]

most of the states in the southeast require the coggins w/in 12 mos, as do most of the shows.

[blackhorse6]

It has always been 12 months for as long as I can remember but now it seems many venues are wanting the Coggins 9 to 6 months prior.. Honestly, it is a big business.. Think about the labs making the $$$$..the dollar could be the bottom line:eek:

[Ellie&Werther]

It has always been 12 months for as long as I can remember but now it seems many venues are wanting the Coggins 9 to 6 months prior.. Honestly, it is a big business.. Think about the labs making the $$$$..the dollar could be the bottom line:eek:

The pain about this show is my Coggins hits the 9 month mark mid show. I actually just got an email back from the show secretary, they want the coggins in the 2009 year. My horses blood draw date was 12/19/08. :(

[SillyHorse]

Ridiculous. The test is good for the moment the blood was drawn. In fact, a horse can be bitten by a carrier mosquito while the blood is being drawn and be infected the same day, but the test will show negative.

Don't misunderstand -- I believe that if everyone had Coggins tests done on every horse every year and all infected horses were quarantined, we would be rid of EIA in fairly short order. But requiring a negative within 6 months as opposed to nine months or a year is an exercise in silliness.

[Valentina_32926]

I go to shows where it's 1 year or less - have shown with a coggins 364 days old - and it's still valid.

My suggestion is find another show - why spend money getting a vet out to pull a coggins which is not (yet) needed? We spend a lot on shows as is - and money is tight.

But do the show organizers a favor when you vote with your feet - email and tell them why they're not getting your business.

[Equibrit]

Show management should comply with USDA regulations just like everybody else, that's what they are for. I think you would have a good argument for asking that they do so. I don't think they have a right to refuse you entry if you are legal. It's pretty arbitrary on their part, as the Coggins test only reflects the horse's status on the date the blood was drawn.

Are the regulations different in Canada ?

[Ellie&Werther]

Show management should comply with USDA regulations just like everybody else, that's what they are for. I think you would have a good argument for asking that they do so. I don't think they have a right to refuse you entry if you are legal. It's pretty arbitrary on their part, as the Coggins test only reflects the horse's status on the date the blood was drawn.

Are the regulations different in Canada ?

Not sure for all of Canada, put Spruce is a huge international venue so their security is very tight. The show with the 9 month Coggins date is our GMO year end competition, and I've qualified and I want to support the association. The only thing the USDA rule says about competitions is "time proscribed by local authorities", so they are within their rights, even if it is a little ridiculous.

[Equibrit]

Local (Alberta) regs http://www.avma.ab.ca/animal_health/horsehealth2.htm

It would appear that testing in Canada is voluntary as opposed to the USA where it is mandatory.

[Ghazzu]

Ridiculous. The test is good for the moment the blood was drawn. In fact, a horse can be bitten by a carrier mosquito while the blood is being drawn and be infected the same day, but the test will show negative.


Though mosquitos rarely carry EIA...more tabanid flies--they hurt when they bite and are more likely to result in a interrupted meal.

[cyndi]

Even in Texas, which, in the past, has seen some of the higher positive tests for EIA in the US, I have never seen anyone ask for a Coggins within past 6 or 9 months.

Due to testing, the incidences of positive tests have dropped significantly within the last 20 years, although it still remains a heated and controversial policy since many of the horses euthanized/quarantined never showed clinical signs of the disease.

A few years back a woman in our area had 9 of her horses test positive and were destroyed. And what many people do not realize is that your horse insurance will not usually pay off if your horse is destroyed by 'government mandate.'

[2ndyrgal]

and a health certificate are two different things. Coggins should be good w/i the year, a health cert will need to be more recent. In KY, usually 30 days.