RICHMOND—Virginia horse owners have a new opportunity to travel with their horses throughout the southeastern United States for six months using the new Equine Interstate Event Permit, according to Dr. Richard Wilkes, state veterinarian.

Effective immediately, horse owners can elect to obtain the six-month passport in lieu of a certificate of veterinary inspection, which is good for 30 days.

“Horse owners have asked for this interstate event permit option for some time,” Wilkes said, “but we had to ensure that we could provide the convenience of a six-month passport while continuing to protect Virginia’s equine industry from disease. We have developed the database and record-keeping system and have a memorandum of agreement with 14 states that allows us to move forward with issuing the permit.”

Participating states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. New York recently announced it also will accept the permit.

Horse owners can apply for the permit from accredited veterinarians. For each horse permitted, the owner must complete an application, present a Virginia origin certificate of veterinary inspection or health paper/certificate, have a valid negative Coggins test, and be able to document microchip identification or provide three-view digital photos of the animal. Owners also will need to demonstrate their ability to perform an abbreviated physical exam that includes taking each horse’s temperature. They will need to record exam information on the horse’s travel itinerary with each interstate movement.

For more information about the Virginia equine passport application process, horse owners or veterinarians should contact VDACS’ Office of Veterinary Services at 804-786-2483. Horse owners and veterinarians also can find additional information at vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/eiep.shtml.