09/07/2024
Are you selling or buying a horse and wonder what these things mean?
* Brand inspection
* Coggins test
* Health certificate
* PPE
Iāve put together some educational information explaining what these are and how the relate to the purchase of a horse. ā¬ļø
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Brand Inspection:
A brand inspection is something livestock are required to have to show proof of ownership. It is similar to vehicle title. Horses are considered livestock and when a horse is sold, the seller is responsible for calling the brand inspector out to transfer the ownership of a horse. A bill of sale cannot be used in place of a brand inspection. Should someone decide to steal your horse (yes, Iāve seen it happenā¦more than once) and you can show proof of ownership with the brand inspection, you will easily have the horse placed back in your hands.
Only 7 states require brand inspection for equines - South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada. If you purchase a horse from one of these states you are required to have a brand inspection completed. If you purchase a horse outside of any of these statesā¦ you will need to have the brand inspector come out shortly after they arrive, present the horses Coggins test and health certificate, and have them transferred into your name.
If only a basic transfer is needed and everything has been done correctly, it should cost $40 to transfer the brand inspection.
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Coggins test:
A Coggins test is required almost everywhere. This is a blood test that proves of a horse is not a carrier of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). EIA is a viral disease transmitted by biting insects or contaminated blood. This disease causes, fever, emaciation, anemia, and death. There is no treatment or vaccine for EIA so prevention is key. Expect to pay $50-100 for a Coggins test.
A Coggins test is good for 1 year. When your vet draws blood for results, allow 5-7 days for testing results to return. You can put a RUSH on the test to have results back on 24-36 hours, unless you are at the lab for testing (testing could be done within 2 hours). A Coggins test is mandatory for crossing state lines. Some boarding facilities, horse shows, clinics, etc. require a negative Coggins test.
A good routine is to have your Coggins test completed every year with your spring or fall vaccine schedule.
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Health Certificate:
A health certificate is a form filled out by a veterinarian which states that a horse is free from infectious diseases. This helps prevent the spread of disease. The vet will do a brief once over of the horse to check for things like fever, snotty nose, respiratory infection, etc. It is usually good 30 days. Expect to pay about $35 for a health certificate (plus your vets travel fee).
Do not confuse this with a pre-purchase exam. A health certificate has nothing to do with the long-term health of the horse, lameness, etc. It is not a full exam of the horse and should not be considered one.
A health certificate is mandatory for crossing state lines. Again, some boarding facilities, horse shows, barns, etc. require an UTD health certificate before your horse unloads off the trailer.
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Pre-Purchase Exam:
A pre-purchase exam (PPE) is something up to the buyers discretion. A seller is not responsible for this, but should always welcome a buyer to do a PPE. Expect to pay a minimum of $400-500 for a basic PPE and additional fees for other diagnostics or testing.
During a PPE, the vet will thoroughly look over the entire horse. They will do a flexion test for lameness, inspect the horse from top to bottom, check the teeth and age if the horse, test the hooves for soreness, listen to the heart and lungs, etc. The idea behind a PPE is not necessarily to check that a horse is in perfect condition, but that the horse is going to be fit and sound for the job the buyer is purchasing the horse for. That being said, I would never expect an older horse or high level performance horse to be 100% perfect. I would necessarily mark this as a red flag either. Keep in mind what you intend to use the horse for. If you just intend to do weekend trail rides and the horse is serviceably sound (sound for the intended use), I wouldnāt necessarily drop the sale. You have to look at the whole picture and discuss with your vet. A little maintenance should be expected. Likewise, if I go to purchase a high level performance horse I may go more in depth to check for necessary maintenance needs in order to continue working this horse at a high and competitive level.
X-rays, ultrasounds, scoping of the airways, drug testing, scoping for ulcers, and other testing can all be completed during a PPE. It is perfectly valid to snap some X-rays of a performance horse or prospect. A horse can show up completely sound during a flexion test, but could be hiding an OCD, arthritis, or joint problems that can only be seen on X-ray. Ultrasounds, scoping, and further diagnostics can be very valid based off the intended use of the horse. I might consider scoping the lungs of a barrel horse, but it would likely be a waste of money if Iām only going to trail ride on the horse. If X-rays are clear, but a horse flexes positive on a lameness exam, further diagnostics via ultrasound can help discover soft-tissue injuries.
Drug testing will test for the use of sedatives medications, and anti-inflammatory drugs that could be used to make the horse appear sound, quieter, more trained, etc. This is a blood test and perfectly valid for a buyer to request.
A PPE is always a good idea when purchasing a horse. Youāll have an understanding of the horseās health and soundness. Youāll know whether the horse will be suitable for the job you intend to use the horse for. Youāll know necessary maintenance routes should the horse require it.
Always have your own vet do a PPE (or do your research of vets in the area). Having a sellers vet can be a conflict of interest and some vets wonāt perform a PPE on a horse they see. Itās not always an issue, but something to keep in mind. If the seller is providing a PPE, Iād probably look at this as a red flag - this is unusual and doesnāt guarantee that a vet really did look at the horse, the date of the exam, the soundness of the horse, etc. People, especially horse traders and auction horses can be sketchy! Hand written vet notes in the time we live in also strike as a red flag - how easy is it for someone to forge those? Iād still consider having my own vet check the horse or at least calling the vet that did check the horse.
š„In summary:
A brand inspection is required to show legal proof of ownership. Check if your state requires one.
A Coggins test and 30 day Health Certificate are required for crossing state lines, attending shows and events, etc. A veterinarian is required to complete these.
A PPE is something the buyer can pay a vet to perform to check the overall health, condition, and soundness of the horse. This should confirm if a horse is fit for the intended use the buyer will use the horse for.
ā¬ļøLeave your questions and comments (maybe a part 2 to come)!
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š·PC Autumn Marie Photography š¤
