Equine Event Passport Available

Here is some information about a program that could be a big benefit to anyone who transports horses to events across the southern United States.  This program is called the Equine Event Passport, and the “passport” is valid for six months.  It is a voluntary, cooperative agreement among several southern states that helps to facilitate interstate travel for those who compete in horse shows, rodeos, roping events, trail rides, or any other reason to transport horses across state lines of participating states.  The states cooperating include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. 

In order to obtain an Equine Passport Permit you must complete and send in the following information to the State Veterinarian's office: Application for Equine Passport Permit, a copy of a valid health certificate (no greater than 30 days old), and a copy of valid EIA (Coggins) paper. Pictures of the horse(s) for whom the permit(s) are being issued are also required. These pictures should show full right side, left side and front views of the horse (from the tips of the ears to the hooves).  Digital photos are accepted in North Carolina and may be emailed in to Joe.Web@ncagr.gov.


Microchips and tattoo numbers are also acceptable forms of identification; however, those are not mandatory.  Owners who use microchip numbers as a means of identification on the permit are responsible for providing a microchip reader.

The application for the Equine Event Passport can be downloaded from www.ncagr.gov/vet/documents/EquinePassportApplication.doc.  There is a $5 processing fee for each permit/passport issued.  Completed applications and supporting documentation and pictures should be sent to:

NCDA&CS Veterinary Division

1030 Mail Service Center

Raleigh  NC  27699-1030

We are used to health certificates being issued that are good for 30 days, and only valid in the state(s) listed on the certificate.  This program can be of great convenience to horse owners since the passport is good for six months, or until the expiration date on the Coggin’s papers.  That would cover all of the fall show season.

Once a permit is issued, a travel log must be kept that shows all interstate movement of the horse listed on the passport/permit and that must stay with the transporter at all times.  When the passport expires, that travel log must be submitted to the State Veterinarian's office.

For more information on the Equine Passport program, go to the NCDA&CS web site, www.ncagr.gov/vet/equineevent.htm and check out the frequently asked questions along with the rest of the program information.