IMPORTING HORSES AND OTHER EQUINES FROM OUTSIDE WISCONSIN

With very few exceptions, horses and other equine animals entering Wisconsin need:

• Current certificate of veterinary inspection which must include:

• Official individual identification for all animals, regardless of age (one of the following):

• an official breed registration lip tattoo number
• a microchip number
• a written or graphic description included on the CVI (the CVI is the only official document of the animal’s movements, so ID on attached forms is not valid)

• A negative test for EIA conducted since January 1 of this year (please see below for specific requirements)

Some imports also require the following:

• Import permits if the equines are circus or rodeo stock horses
• Import permits if the equines are from regions (counties and adjacent counties) with vesicular stomatitis (this is very rare – contact your state's animal health agency to find out if there are any active VS quarantines in your region).
  • A statement that vesicular stomatitis (VS) requirements are met if originating from a VS positive region

Exceptions: Imports that do not require a CVI are:

• equines being brought to a veterinary facility for treatment that will return to the state of origin with no change of ownership
• animals imported to a state-licensed animal market
• equines from Minnesota that will be in Wisconsin for less than seven (7) days with no change in ownership (a CVI may be required by the organizers to participate in the event); the equines will need proof they meet the EIA requirements – see below

Equines entering Wisconsin must have a negative equine infectious anemia (EIA, Coggins) test since January 1 of this year. If the animal is entering Wisconsin during January, a negative test from the previous calendar year will be accepted; however, if the CVI is written in January but the horse is entering Wisconsin in February, the EIA test must be from the current year. Horses may not be imported on a pending EIA test. Nursing foals accompanying an EIA negative dam are exempt from pre-import testing.

Import permits

Horses entering Wisconsin do not need an import permit unless they are:

• part of a circus
• rodeo stock horses (a permit is not required for horses owned by individual rodeo participants)
• horses traveling as part of a menagerie of multiple species for exhibit or competition
• an exotic equine (such as a zebra or wild ass)

The import permit application process is explained here.

MOVING HORSES AND OTHER EQUINES WITHIN WISCONSIN

Equines moving within Wisconsin need to meet the requirements of the destination.

Fair or exhibition: Equines must have proof of a negative EIA test since January 1 of the current year. Check with the fair or exhibition organizers to find out if they require additional paperwork or testing.

Organized trail ride or training seminar: Equines must have proof of a negative EIA test since January 1 of the current year. Check with the ride or seminar organizers to find out if they require additional paperwork or testing.

Personal trail ride: No paperwork or testing required.

Sale or transfer of ownership: Equines must have proof of a negative EIA test since January 1 of the current year. A CVI is not required.

Boarding or private training: No paperwork or testing required by the State. Check with the trainer or boarding facility owner to find out if they require paperwork or testing.

EXPORTING HORSES AND OTHER EQUINES OUT OF WISCONSIN

Wisconsin does not have specific export requirements for equines. Please contact the state or nation of destination to learn their import requirements.

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