Coggins and Exports (Health Certifications):
A Coggins Test is required for crossing the boarder and for many shows! A coggins test is valid for 6 months from the date the blood is drawn from your horse by the veterinarian. It typically takes 2-3 business days to get a coggins sent to the lab, completed and signed.
An Export Paper (or health certification) is required to cross the border. An Export Paper is only valid for 30 days from the day it’s completed by the veterinarian.
What can you do to prepare?
Book your appointment a couple weeks in advance to when you will require your Coggins/Export. This will ensure there is plenty of time to get your appointment fit in and all the proper documentation completed and signed. If your horse is crossing the boarder into the United States, the Export Paper paper should be completed within 30 days of crossing and have a valid Coggins completed in the last 6 months. For your appointment date, please ensure that your horse is inside and clean so that all of their markings can be visible for our veterinarians to see.
What can you expect at your appointment?
Your veterinarian will draw/take pictures of all the markings on your horse so that they are identifiable to anyone reading the paperwork. Your veterinarian will then draw blood from your horse if you require a Coggins Test. After your appointment, your veterinarian and assistants complete the paperwork required before putting the Coggins and Export into an envelope. This envelope will be picked up by you (horse owner) and taken to your nearest CFIA office via appointment to be signed by the CFIA veterinarians.
Pictured is Dr. Brownridge giving it his all as he completes a coggins so his patients look their best!