Transporting Horses and Other Equids

​When considering interstate or international travel for your horse or other equids, plan ahead because some preparations may need to start months in advance.

The information contained in this section is supplemental to Transporting Animals - Basic Requirements and Considerations and Basic Timeline for Interstate and International Travel with Animals, which apply to all animal species. In addition, please review the following AVMA resources, which were designed with you and your animals in mind.

Know the requirements and restrictions for transporting animals

Countries, territories, states, and even public modes of transportation have requirements and restrictions on the transport of horses and other equids. This includes miniature horses that qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as service animals. When transporting horses or their hooved relatives across state, territory, or international borders, a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is generally required by the authorities at destination. Be aware that some countries and states may require your animal to be placed in quarantine before departure or upon arrival.

It is your responsibility to comply with the import requirements of the authorities at the destination, and the chart below will help you find the rules and regulations that impact you and your animal. In addition, the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association may be able to assist with your animal’s international travel.

​What type of travel? Where to find requirements and restrictions?​
​By public air, rail, bus, or boat ​Check with the carrier line that you will be using. Special rules may apply to miniature horses that qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as service animals.
​Interstate (travel across state or territory borders within the U.S.) ​Domestic species (horses, donkeys, mules, miniature horses, etc.) – visit the USDA’s webpage, State Regulations for Importing Animals, and if any of the animals being moved are ones obtained through the National Wild Horse and Burro Program, also check with the Bureau of Land Management.

AND

Wild species (zebras, Przewalski’s horses, etc.) or their hybrids [zedonks (zedonk/donkey), zorses (zebra/horse), etc.] – also check with the authority that issued your ownership permit. If you do not have a permit, contact your state wildlife management agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if you have not done so already to learn if you may legally own and transport the animal, what the requirements are to do so, and what to do if you are not allowed to have the animal.

AND

Please visit Transporting Wildlife Species or Their Hybrids for a more detailed discussion of issues pertaining to movement of wild species.
​International travel from the U.S. (exporting) ​Contact the consulate or embassy of the country of destination or the country’s animal health authority for information on the importation requirements.

AND

Check the USDA’s Animal and Animal Product Export Information, including if an import permit is required and if a designated port needs to be used.

AND

If you intend to export a captive wild equid species or a hybrid of such, check with the authority that issued your ownership permit. If you do not have a permit, contact your state wildlife management agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if you have not done so already to learn if you may legally own and transport the animal, what the requirements are to do so, and what to do if you are not allowed to have the animal.

AND

Please visit Transporting Wildlife Species or Their Hybrids for a more detailed discussion of issues pertaining to movement of wild species.
​International travel into the U.S. (importing) ​Horses being imported to the U.S. must come through specific import quarantine stations and reservations are needed in advance, especially during the busy season (Nov-March).

AND

Check for the import requirements for the state of destination on the USDA’s webpage, State Regulations for Importing Animals.

AND

Domestic species (horses, donkeys, mules, miniature horses, etc.) – visit the USDA’s webpage on Animal and Animal Product Import Information.

AND

Wild species (zebras, Przewalski’s horses, etc.) or their hybrids [zedonks (zedonk/donkey), zorses (zebra/horse), etc.] – check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Please visit Transporting Wildlife Species or Their Hybrids for a more detailed discussion of issues pertaining to movement of wild species.