FAQs

Click on the topic of interest below:
1. International Travel
2. Horse Health
3. Other Questions

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

What documents are required to transport a horse across the border?
Generally, horses entering the US from Canada musts be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate and evidence of a negative test (Coggins Test) for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) within 180 days prior to export. Horses also require a health certificate that must be endorsed and stamped by Agriculture Canada or the Federal Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.)

Do these documents have an "expiry date"?
The Coggins test is valid for 6 months when traveling into the United States or 180 days when traveling into Canada. The health certificate is valid for 30 days from date of endorsement.

Do I need a permit for travel into the USA?
An import permit is not required for Canadian horses entering the US, or for US horses traveling into Canada and returning to the US.

What is the AIRS system?
CFIA-AIRS is the automated import reference system of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). It is a user-friendly, searchable database of CFIA import requirements. Through a series of questions and answers, the system will lead you through the applicable regulations and policies to information on all CFIA import requirements for specific commodities.

The purpose of the AIRS is to provide accurate and timely information on import requirements. The application uses a question and answer approach to guide the user through a series of questions about the Harmonized System (HS) Codes, origin, destination, end use and miscellaneous qualifiers of the product they wish to import.

The AIRS has been prepared for the convenience of reference only and has no official sanction. For all purposes of interpreting and applying the law, users should consult the Acts as passed by Parliament.

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Where can I learn more about import/export regulations for US and Canada?
The US website is http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ - A useful page is:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/downloads/import_horses_canada.pdf

The Canadian website is: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/
A useful page is: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml#

Are there any additional costs?
BROKERAGE: When crossing the border from Canada to the U.S., all horses must pay a brokerage charge.

G.S.T.: Recently purchased horses transported into Canada are subject to G.S.T..

VET: There is an inspection charge for all horses going into the U.S. unless they are going into the U.S. for a stay of 30 days or less (temporary). Foreign horses that do not have proof of residence in either Canada or the U.S. for at least 6 months, are subject to additional Border Vet Inspection fees.

HORSE HEALTH

Is there anything that I should do to prepare my horse for a long journey?
Any trip that requires over 5 hours of travel is considered "long distance":

Complications of long distance travel can be minimized with careful planning. The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary medicine recommends:

• Healthy animals are less likely to suffer stress from a long trip. If you have any concerns, have your veterinarian give your horse a thorough physical examination during the week prior to travel. Chronic diseases often worsen during travel.
• Delay your trip if your horse has had an infectious respiratory disease, such as influenza, during the 4 weeks preceding your trip. Prior respiratory disease will predispose your horse to developing pleuropneumonia.
• Avoid impaction colic by having your veterinarian give a gallon of mineral oil plus water and electrolytes via nasogastric tube 4-12 hours before long distance transport. Alternatively, get some mineral oil into the horse in a bran mash. DON'T syringe feed your horse with mineral oil - this may lead to aspiration pneumonia.
• Accustom your horse to eating soaked hay during the two weeks prior to the trip. Eating soaked hay for one day prior to travel and during travel will provide your horse with much needed water. This will help avoid both dehydration and colic.
• Accustom your horse to drinking flavored water (most horses enjoy water flavored with apple juice) so that he will not reject 'foreign' water, or bring an adequate supply from home.

(source: http://www.tufts.edu/vet/sports/transport.html)

Other suggestions include:
Antibiotics - When the trip will be over 12 hours, discuss the administration of antibiotics with your veterinarian.
Body Clip - When taking your horse from a cold climate to a warm one, a body clip is often recommended by veterinarians.
Not used to being loaded? Practice prior to the trip to familiarize your horse with loading/unloading.

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When should I NOT ship my horse over long distances?
It is illegal to load, transport or unload an animal that is not healthy enough to handle the stress of transportation. Violators will be subject to fines or prosecution.
(source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

A Health certificate should confirm that your horse is healthy. If any new symptoms appear after certification and prior to travel or if you have any concerns regarding the health of your horse(s) contact your vet immediately.

Should I use leg wraps or shipping boots?
This is YOUR call. If your horse is used to wearing boots and you are comfortable in transporting with boots then do it. However, in some cases, boots and bandages may create more trouble than protection. Boots can become loose and aggrevate a horse (especially one who is not used to wearing them). Polo Wraps can fall down and the horses urinate on them, then they get stepped on and possibly entangled. If applied too tightly wraps can affect circulation or damage tendons. Eliminating wraps eliminates trouble.

What can I send with my horse(s)?
All horses must have a halter and lead rope and enough hay for the journey. Our trucks are equipped with a large compartment that can transport trunks and any other lesser items that your horse requires. All contents should be inventoried and listed prior to travel.

Are there cameras to monitor horses on long trips?
Yes, our truck and 15 horse trailer are equipped with a monitoring system.

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OTHER QUESTIONS:

Are horses insured while in transit?
Yes, our bill of lading states that horses being transported are insured to a value of $1,000 CAD. Horses that are valued at more than $1,000 should also seek out their own insurance.
View our BILL OF LADING here.

Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. BWD Equine Services Ltd. accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Money Transfers, Cash and Cheques. A credit card may be required to secure transport booking but final payment can be made using the payment method of your choice from the list above.

Disclaimer: BWD Equine Services Ltd. Horse Transport maintains that the responses listed above are merely suggestions and current to the best of our knowledge. Please check with local authority prior to arranging shipping for any changes in import/export laws.

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