Importing a horse into the United State of America can seem like a daunting task. However, with the proper funding and an experienced shipper the process can be accomplished very easily.

The hardest part is picking out the horse that you intend to purchase.    You are not only picking out a horse, you are also picking out someone knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Once you locate the animal and negotiate the pricing you will be required to wire the funds for the purchase and shipping to the breeder. This is why trust becomes so very important.  You must verify all references before making a purchase.

The next step will be for the horse breeder to arrange for a vetting appointment for your new horse with a veterinarian.  This veterinary check is a standard procedure that includes pre-import screening for EIA (the Coggins test), dourine, piroplasmosis, and glanders.  If your horse is a stallion or mare over 731 days old, the vet check will also include testing for CEM* (contagious equine metritis).  Blood tests and CEM cultures will normally take 10-12 days for completion.  Negative tests for all relevant tests are required before the horse can be shipped to the USA.

Some clients at this point may request a more detailed veterinary examination including X-rays, etc., this is normally paid for by the purchaser .

Once the results come in negative (as certified by the veterinarian), your horse will be flown non-stop to either JFK airport in New York or LAX airport in Los Angeles.

When your horse arrives, blood samples are taken at the airport, and your horse is taken to a USDA quarantine facility.  If it is a gelding, or a filly or colt under 731 days of age, the quarantine period will normally be 2-3 days.  As soon as blood tests are reported negative, the horse is free to proceed to your farm .  Transportation is at the buyers expense and may be done using your own transporter.

If your horse is a stallion or mare over 731 days of age, an additional quarantine is required.  Both mares and stallions must leave the USDA quarantine and proceed to an approved CEM* quarantine.  There are several different CEM quarantine farms that are recommend.  The choice of which particular quarantine to use will be determined in large part by the horse’s ultimate destination.

In the case of a mare, the CEM* quarantine will normally last for 14-18 days.  As soon as all tests are declared negative, she will be free to depart for your farm .

The CEM* quarantine period for a stallion is much longer, averaging 45 days.  During his CEM quarantine, he will be tested, and he will then cover two mares who will also be tested for CEM.  This is to be sure that he is not shedding the CEM organism in his semen.  Once the stallion and mares have tested negative, he is free to depart for your stables. CEM (contagious equine metritis) is an equine sexually transmitted disease that is very unusual.  It is not life threatening and can be cured.

It is often recommended that all clients obtain health and mortality insurance for a new horse as soon as the purchase is complete. 

This article is compliments of Gypsy MVP, America’s most trusted source for Gypsy Vanner Horses.