Horses

1. Horses must have an official interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) filled out by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited veterinarian in the animal's state of origin.

• Please note that Michigan does not issue entry permits for horses to be imported.  Therefore, no permit number is required to be written on the interstate certificate of veterinary inspection.

2. Horses must have identification.

The interstate CVI must include the identification of each animal, examples of identification include:

1. Digital photograph
2. Electronic identification (ex. ISO compliant microchip)
3. Detailed description (name, age, sex, breed, color, markings, and other types of markings such as scars, brands, tattoos, etc.)

3. Horses must have a negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test done within 12 months.

The date of test, negative result, and laboratory name and accession number must be provided on the interstate CVI. Blood samples for EIA testing must be collected by an accredited veterinarian.

Exceptions:  Nursing foals under six months of age and accompanied by the EIA negative dam do not need and EIA test. If the dam will not accompany the foal, a negative EIA test is required.

4. Quarter Horses must have a negative equine piroplasmosis (EP) test, specifically c-ELISA for Theileria equi within 12 months, if coming to Michigan for racing, training for racing or stabling for racing.  This does not apply to barrel racing horses.

The date of test, negative result, and type of test must be provided on the CVI. Blood samples for EP testing must be collected by an accredited veterinarian and tested at an approved USDA laboratory.

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Exhibition (Show, fair, demonstration or display) Requirements

1. Horses moving within the state of Michigan for exhibition must present proof (official United States Department of Agriculture test chart or equivalent) of a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test done within 12 months prior to the show.

Exceptions:  Nursing foals under six months of age and accompanied by the EIA negative dam do not need and EIA test. If the dam will not accompany the foal, a negative EIA test is required.

2. Horses being imported from out-of-state for exhibition must have:

1. A completed interstate CVI filled out by a USDA accredited veterinarian in the animal's state of origin.
2. Identification (see identification options above under interstate import requirements).
3. Negative EIA test meeting requirements stated above under interstate import requirements.
4. Negative equine piroplasmosis test meeting requirements above under import requirements if the horse is a quarter horse and will be participating in racing

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Moving within Michigan (intrastate)

1. Horses moving within the state of Michigan for public events, livestock markets or sale with change of location must have proof (official USDA test chart or equivalent) of a negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test done within 12 months prior to movement.

Exceptions:  Nursing foals under 6 months of age and accompanied by the EIA negative dam do not need and EIA test.  If the dam will not accompany the foal, a negative EIA test is required.

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Leaving Michigan to go to Another State (export)

Please contact the state of destination for their requirements. 

• Resources:
  • Interstate Livestock
  • Contact Information By State

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International Movement

Please contact the United States Department of Agriculture at 517-337-4700.

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