NJ Horse Council

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER SPRING 2013 WWW.NJHORSECOUNCIL.COM CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO OR ACTIVITIES

REQUEST FOR HORSE RESCUE GRANT PROPOSALS

New Jersey-based Horse Rescue Organizations and Facilities are invited to apply for grant money totaling $1000 given by the New Jersey Horse Council Foundation. Up to three grants may be given. The funding is available to NJ-based organizations who are NON- Profit, IRS 501©3 horse rescues.

The proposals must be no more than 5 pages, and must include: • a mission statement • organizational history • long-term goals • accomplishments to date • brief description of need for funds • how funds will be used • staff and board structure, and qualifications • and budget information.

The budget information should include current annual budget, most recent income and expense statement and balance sheet, as well as most recent audit and IRS Form 990 if available. If no audit or IRS 990 is available, please explain why not. Please also attach copy of IRS 501(c)3 determination letter and list of current board members with their addresses and affiliations, if any. One to three proposals will be considered for funding.

The proposals must be mailed to the New Jersey Horse Council, 25 Beth Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057 and postmarked by May 1st, 2013. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Carey Williams at [email protected] (Phone: 848-932-5529) or Shelly Liggett at [email protected] (Phone: 908- 722-3665).

NJHC OPEN MEETING

The NJ Horse Council Open Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday June 12. Plans are being discussed for a joint meeting with the ELCR to bring forth space issues relevant to NJ Horsemen. Rutgers is a possible location. FROM THE PRESIDENT

What are your riding//equestrian plans for 2013?

If that was a shoulder shrug, may I suggest you give this some serious thought? I tend to be a bit haphazard about goal setting. (That means I mostly don’t….) I’m a former USEF/Zone 2 competitor. At this point in life, I enjoy “playing” with/having fun with my horses. Have you considered expanding into a previously unexplored equestrian endeavor?

E.g., I’ve done a couple of mounted events the past few years. Haven’t placed very high. My husband guffawed when he first heard me express interest. He was a boy scout; he knows about using a . I knew about the needle and north. Well…regardless of my lack of compass skills, I thoroughly enjoyed my first CMO (Competitive Mounted Orienteering) effort. I arranged to ride with friends and we had a great day out on the trails and shared some good belly laughs at our interpretation of some of the clues! Give it a shot! See our website for some dates or go to NACMO for further information.

Or – how about working with cows? The first time I tried it with my former grand prix jumper he was totally baffled; but it didn’t take long. Once he figured out that I wasn’t going to ask him to leap the milling mass of moo-ers, we were on our way. A less likely pair to be seen working with little cow-critters would be hard to imagine, but we had a ball!

I have decided that 2013 is the year I am going to learn to “rope.” I will say right up front that I will deem this endeavor a success if I can learn to rope a plastic “steer head” (stuck into a hay bale) not from a horse, but rather with both of my feet on the ground. Okay, so that may not technically qualify as an equestrian-effort per se. But it’d be a start…

Chat with friends, share your “I’ve always wanted to…” list. If you can inveigle friends to join in your idea/s of fun and then do a turn-about-is-fair-play date - we can all expand our horizons. I encourage you all to “go play” at something new and share it with the NJ Horse Council newsletter. Take pictures and send them in with a quick who-when-where-why.

We look forward to sharing your new adventures! Shelly Liggett Pres., NJHC ------//------

New Jersey Horse Council

President: Shelly Liggett Vice President: Dottie Allen - 25 Beth Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057-3021 (H) 856-234-6117 (Fax) 856-234-1081 Email: [email protected] Recording Secretary: Susan Data-Samtak Corresponding Secretary: Janice Elsishans Treasurer: Miss Gwen Stableford Directors: Michele Adams Barbara Haertlein Rich Osborn Carolyn Penna Patricia Ratner, Esq Sue Rothermel Special Advisors: Carey Williams, Ph.D. - Rutgers Cooperative Extension Dr. Mike Ochsner Past President: Maggi Romano

NJHC MEMBERSHIP

New Jersey Horse Council Memberships for 2013 are due for individuals as well as organizational members. Check the NJHC website for a membership form. http://www.njhorsecouncil.com/membership.htm Individual memberships are $25 Youth memberships are $10 under 21 years old Individual Life memberships are $300 Organizational and/or Commercial memberships are $100 memberships are $50 Send to: NJHC, 25 Beth Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057-3021

GO GREEN WITH NJHC

NJHC Members Please forward your email address to [email protected] . . . if you would like to get your quarterly newsletter by email and NOT by hardcopy This could save us $5 or more per year per member in printing and postage costs And allow us to put those dollars towards programs like the Vet Student Scholarship and Horse Rescue

NJHC RIDE FOR RESCUES

The 2013 Ride for the Rescue is scheduled for Sunday August 4 at Tory Mathers Sleepy Hollow Farm in New Egypt NJ, and will ride thru the Colliers Mills WMA in the NJ Pine Barrens

OPEN SPACE PACE

The 2nd Open Space Pace will be held on September 21 in Freehold NJ. Come out and enjoy a day at the race track and learn about preserving our Open Space. Events will include an opening Horse Parade, An Agricultural EXPO event, an Afternoon Concert, Specialty Races during the day, and evening Fireworks. Last year NJHC was recipient of a $1000 grant along with 13 other organizations. An undertaking of this magnitude requires many volunteers to help it run smoothly, with jobs covering areas from parade safety and control, parking helpers, info booth managers and many more jobs. So mark your calendar for this fun day and make a plan to either help or just enjoy.

JERSEY FRESH EVENT

The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event will be held on May 9-12 at the Horse Park of NJ in Stone Tavern outside of Allentown NJ. This years event has again been chosen for the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) 2013 Tour. The PRO recognition makes this a destination event and has recognized the increased support Friends of the NJ Horsepark have given the event and the increased awareness and backing of the local community. will be on Thursday and Friday May 9-10. Cross Country will be on Saturday May 11 with tailgating at the water jump and Stadium Jumping on Sunday May 12. For more details check http://www.horseparkofnewjersey.com/

We welcome news from any members or organizations. Please send your announcements or press releases to [email protected] News submission dates are by May 17, 2013 Dates to cover the next 3 months

GARDEN STATE APPALOOSA ASSOC

The Garden State Appaloosa Assoc. will be holding their three judged breed shows featuring four judges for 2013. Dates are April 20 - 21 at the NJ Horse Park; August 17 - 18 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, & September 28 - 29 at a show venue yet to be determined. Contact Lori Wunderlich for more info at (973) 579-7661.

EQUINE SCIENCE CENTER NEWS

The Annual Horse Management Seminar at Rutgers this year on Equine Transport and Stress was a success. Attendees enjoyed a great seminar with a new direction of topics. Evaluations from this years seminar will help direct future topics.

Rutgers Ag Field Day is set for Saturday April 27 – come out and see the projects and enjoy the day!

Protect Your Possessions & Cushion Your Losses BLUE BRIDLE INSURANCE AGENCY

Tracking events in the U.S. since 1980, the year 2011 set a record with 99 major recorded disasters. The property and casualty insurance industry paid more than 32 billion in claims in 2011 according to the Insurance Information Institute. Year 2012 will likely rank 2nd as the most expensive in terms of losses since 1980. Whatever the reason for climate change, there is no denying that natural disasters have increased in frequency. Many of us have been affected first hand by super storms Irene and Sandy. What better advice can we offer but to be prepared.

For those who suffered damages to your homes, barns and personal possessions due to Sandy insurance claim checks and money from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) is starting to flow into the state of New Jersey. Be wary, because on its heels will be scam artists bidding for contracts to repair and rebuild. Check out the credentials and reputation of contractors thoroughly before signing any agreements. Obtain a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor as proof that they are fully covered for the business they are in.

Over and over, we urge our clients and friends to be prepared. • Have before and after disaster plans • Inventory your personal possessions and household/barn contents • Keep insurance coverage up to date

The Blue Bridle team of equine insurance specialists can advise you on all the protection available for you - your farm, your horses and your liability exposures. Budgeting for 2013 is probably weighing in on your decisions at this time. Financial advisors would agree, however, that when and if there is a need to cut expenses, insurance protection may not be a wise decision.

Blue Bridle Insurance Agency is an independent member of the Professional Insurance Agencies (PIA) and is headquartered in Pittstown, NJ. For more information on equine insurance products for horses, horse farms and equine liability, visit www.bluebridle.com.

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STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

LEGAL ISSUES

The Horse Council recently received a request for assistance from a person who purchased horses from an out of state owner (Seller). Unfortunately, the necessary paperwork (title to the horses) was tied up in the divorce of the Seller, and the Seller's wife was ordered by the court to turn over the paperwork but had not done so. The result was that the person who consulted the Horse Council had paid for the horses, but had no title to them and also could not register them without the paperwork she needed from the Seller.

Again unfortunately, the Horse Council has no ability to obtain the necessary title to the horses, nor can we provide any other help in this private civil matter. Our only suggestion is that the buyer retain a lawyer in the state where the Seller's divorce took place and/or where the Seller's ex-wife resides in order to compel the party (the ex-wife) who is now holding title to the horses to turn over the title (we were led to believe that this was part of the Judgment of Divorce).

A good lesson to take from this case is that property of any kind should never be purchased unless the Seller can show you the title at the time of sale (preferably before) AND can turn it over at the time of sale free and clear of liens and encumbrances (e.g., no third party has any interest in the property that could affect your rights at a later time). Realistically, obtaining the kind of document(s) that the person who consulted us needs will now likely be quite costly, especially since it is being held by an uncooperative ex-wife in another state.

Yet again a case of buyer beware!

Carefully read any correspondence from IRS from the Equine Tax Group

Larry Rosenblum, president of the Equine Tax Group, cautioned horsepersons to carefully read any correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service. Rosenblum stated, “Many of the notices IRS sends out tend to look like tax bills but they are simply proposed adjustments. Taxpayers have appeal rights in these cases and should take advantage of their rights. Endless correspondence or phone calls may result in the missing of an appeal deadline and rights could be compromised. Always be aware of your last date to formally appeal something they propose.

"While every notice is different I can certainly tell horsepeople this: If you get a certified letter from the IRS, pick it up and sign for it immediately. Ignoring it will not make it go away. Most likely it is a lien or levy notice which needs to be addressed.

"Secondly if you receive a “Statutory Notice of Tax Deficiency” you need to get to a tax professional and address the issue because you are 90 days away from being assessed tax.

“I want to advise everyone that IRS never contacts taxpayers by e-mail. Any such contact is some sort of identity theft scam.”

For further information on IRS notices and appeals, contact the IRS at 900.829.1040 or The Equine Tax Group at 888.338.2999 or www.equinetaxgroup.com.

Networking for Recreational Safety

On February 23, 2013 New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition (NJBWC) held a summit in New Brunswick, NJ and 200 participants attended. Members of this coalition are hikers and road cyclist. Road cyclist “share the road” with vehicles and safety and traffic speed is a concern. The day was filled with presentations by elected officials, township leaders, transportation and urban planners, engineers, lawyers, police, etc. The speakers were very knowledgeable, interesting and enthusiastic

I represented the NJ Horse Council as well as the Paulinskill Valley Trail committee at this meeting. Our trails are multi user trails including equestrians, hikers and cyclist (mountain cyclist). Trail users also have a safety and traffic speed concern when trails cross roads.

In her presentation, Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer from the 29th District (partial Newark and Belleville Township) stated: The Assembly passed A-840 which establishes reporting requirements and permissive inference for violations by motor vehicle operators approaching or passing certain horses, ponies and mules. Questions from the audience were permitted following this presentation; I noted that Assemblywoman Alison McHose of Sussex County sponsored A-840. Together we worked several years on the wording and several more years for this bill to be presented and passed. A-840 passed Feb 14, 2013.

WHAT dose the NJBWC and PVTC along with NJ Horse Council have in common? NJBWC members ride on the roads while trail users have to cross roads; both entities are struggling with safety and traffic speed.

Although A-840 was passed local authority has turned a deaf ear regarding safety and traffic speed. We need to network for recreational safety. Recreational Safety is important weather users are crossing roads or sharing the road with vehicles.

Submitted by Janice Elsishans, NJHC Trails Liaison, and Paulinskill Valley Trail President

UPCOMING TRAIL RIDE DATES

Colts Neck Trail Riders Club 2013 PACE SCHEDULE www.cntrc.org

Saddle Up for St. Judes Hunter Pace-Sunday, April 28th Location: Bucks Mill Park, Colts Neck, NJ (Raindate- May 5th) Start times: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Huber Woods Hunter Pace- SATURDAY, May 11th THIS IS OUR VERY FIRST "SATURDAY" PACE!! Location: Huber Woods Park, Middletown, NJ Start times: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Thompson Park Hunter Pace-Sunday, June 23rd - Rain OR Shine Location: Thompson Park, Holmdel, NJ. (Longbridge Rd. Entrance) Start times: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Bucks Mill Park Poker Ride- Saturday, July 13th Location: Bucks Mill Park, Colts Neck, NJ Start times: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM $10.00 per hand, Best hand wins cash! Join us for BBQ after ride! Tatum Park Ca$h Hunter Pace- Sunday, September 22nd - Rain OR Shine Location: Tatum Park, Holmdel, NJ. (Holland Rd. Entrance) Start times: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Thompson Park Halloween Hunter Pace-Sunday, October 27th - Rain OR Shine Location: Thompson Park, Holmdel, NJ. (Longbridge Rd. Entrance) Start times: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Riding In WildLife Management Areas Permits Needed

If you ride or drive on NJ Wildlife Management Area land, you need to update your permit for 2013. This applies only to the wildlife areas, not NJ State Parks and Forests. EACH person must have their own WMA permit if riding or driving on WMA lands. Violations will incur hefty fines.

To start the process of obtaining a 2013 permit; have you ID and credit card ready, then go to: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/als/websalesintro.htm If you are a returning "customer", it's quick and simple. Follow directions carefully. The first page is a little difficult to understand. Read it -then skip all the way down to the bottom of the page to start the process. Note: several pages into the permit application you will be asked regarding personal obligation information. The answer to this question is yes, and then on the next page you can answer the individual questions yes or no. You can print as many copies as you like. The permit cost is $27 per year.

The 16 Equestrian and Carriage WMA areas are listed here: • Sussex County: Flatbrook and Whittingham • Morris County: Black River • Hunterdon County: Capoolong Creek and Alexauken Creek • Monmouth County: Assunpink

• Ocean County: Colliers Mills and Greenwood • Burlington County: Medford • Gloucester County: Glassboro • Cumberland County: Millville, Union Lake, and Peaslee • Cape May County: Higbee Beach and Tuckahoe • Camden County: Winslow

Hunting Season Dates from Sep 28, 2013; Nov 9, 2013 to Feb 8, 2014 are posted on the pages following the printing of your actual permit. FOR YOUR SAFETY: Please avoid going to the WMA during hunting

MORE UPCOMING TRAIL RIDE INFO

Horsemens Assoc of Millstone Township has rides scheduled for nearly every weekend thru the summer. Riders are invited to join HAMT in order to enjoy the rides or get a one day membership to join just one ride. Check the website and look at the Calendar www.hamt.org

The New Jersey Trail Ride Association has listed their Competitive Ride dates for 2013. In addition to their regular competitive rides of 25 and 50 miles, there are 10 mile distance rides for trailing or finding out what long distance rides involve. Also many of the rides will have accompanying 5K runs for people to enjoy the trail. www.njtrailride.org

• 50th year of Jersey 100 on Fri-Sun May 10-12 at Hollyview Farm Shamong NJ in the Wharton State Forest Distances will include 100-80-50-30-12 miles also a conditioning 10 mile ride • Jersey Devil Sat-Sun Oct 26-27 with 50 & 25 miles • Mustang Memorial 50/30 on Nov 9-10

## The New Jersey Trails Council has opened up the grant application for trail work with grants for 2013. Awarding of the grants would be in December. For information on grant requirements please check http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/trail_grants.htm

PATH Intl. Region 2 Conference

March 15-17, 2013 Monroe Township, NJ Hosted by: HRH of New Jersey and Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center On Track for Success: Strategies to Maximize Favorable Outcomes

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International PO Box 33150 Denver, Colorado 80233 (800) 369-7433

NJHorse Info.org: Who are we and what are we trying to do??

We are not yet up and but hope to be “open for business” in the near future. We will be calling regional meeting of volunteers (and potential volunteers!) in Monmouth, Middlesex, Burlington and perhaps Sussex counties (Monmouth/Ocean will be Friday, March 22 at 7PM at the Monmouth County 4-H in Freehold), with other regional meetings later in the year, as we get their resources lists completed.

Our organization seeks to provide science and experience-based information to the equine industry, recreational horse owner and horse enthusiast in order to assist in the development of the equine community within New Jersey and surrounding areas. NJHorseInfo is seeking to organize and channel already available information to the public by means of regional networking, mentoring and an online forum. These three channels will provide a compilation of credible information on equine health, management and welfare issues from respected and credible sources to all who need it.

NJHI is partnering with the Rutgers Equine Science Center, NJ Agricultural Extension Service, NJ Horse Council, Equine Advisory Board, County Animal Response Teams (CARTS) and the veterinary community to coalesce the vast resources available through these existing entities into a more accessible and user friendly network both statewide and on a regional basis.

To develop regional support systems, NJHI is establishing, and continues to seek, volunteers who are willing to be trained as ambassadors and to disseminate resource material and provide referrals to owners and enthusiasts in their local equine community.

Hopefully we will strengthen all aspects of the horse industry in New Jersey and improve equine well-being and the enjoyment of these magnificent animals throughout the state.

For more information contact: Dr. Sarah Ralston at [email protected] or to our website to sign up to be a member through the member survey and to check out our forum: www.njhorseinfo.org

EHV-1/EHM Positive Horse in Gloucester County

A Gloucester County horse tested positive for equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Seven horses in two stables exposed to the EHV-1 positive horse have been quarantined. Biosecurity measures were implemented to contain the spread of the disease. To date, none of the exposed horses have shown any clinical signs or fever.

This is the second case of EHM in New Jersey in 2013. The first incident quarantined 2 barns in Gladstone and Pompton Plains in January. Florida and the HITS series of horse shows have been affected by quarentines following some incidents in the winter show circuit.

The EHV-1 virus spreads quickly from horse to horse, has a high morbidity and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from a complete lack of clinical signs to respiratory problems, especially in young horses, and spontaneous abortions in pregnant mare. Transmission of the virus is mostly via direct contact with infected materials; therefore, tack must not be shared between horses and biosecurity measures must be utilized.

While highly infectious, the virus does not persist in the environment and is neutralized by hand soap, alcohol- based hand sanitizers, and sunlight.

USDA Adopts Animal Disease Traceability Program

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 16:16

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instituted its Animal Disease Traceability Program (ADTP) to improve its ability to trace livestock, including horses, in the event of a disease outbreak. The new system applies to all livestock moving interstate.

Under the new federal regulations, horses moving interstate must be identified and accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI). The new system is built on methods of identification and movement documentation that are already employed in the horse industry, e.g., written descriptions, digital photographs, brands, tattoos, electronic identification methods, and interstate certificates of veterinary inspection. The person or entity responsible for moving the horse interstate must ensure that it has an ICVI or other document required by the new rule.

The ADTP will be administered by the states with federal support. The new rules also apply to movements to and from a Tribal area. In those cases, the Tribal authorities are involved in the system.

Background The horse industry has been dramatically affected by serious disease outbreaks in the last ten years, which have halted or restricted the movement of horses and the commerce surrounding the horses. The new program is intended to help the Department, state authorities and the horse industry better deal with such disease outbreaks and to minimize disease effects on horses and economic effects on owners and the industry.

This new rule is based on the previous National Animal Identification System (NAIS), which was the original voluntary system proposed by USDA to deal with disease outbreaks and traceability. Since the prior rule was voluntary and generated significant concerns over complexity, confidentiality, liability, cost and privacy, it was not supported and was rethought. USDA reconsidered its approach and decided that rather than attempting to identify every animal, every premise, and every movement to achieve traceability within 48 hours of a disease outbreak, it would develop a more limited and simpler system. The ADTP just adopted is the result. The new system does not require the registration of premises housing livestock or the specific reporting of individual movements of horses.

Effective Date The new rules will be effective March 11, 2013. We expect that there will be a transition period during which USDA has suggested it will not enforce the new rule. This is to give livestock owners time to understand the rules and make any changes necessary to comply. We don’t know how long that period might be.

Specific Requirements for Horse Owners Under the new regulations, horses moving interstate must be (1) identified prior to movement and (2) accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI) or other state-approved document.

All states now require an ICVI to accompany any horse entering their state. This should make for a smooth transition to the new traceability rule since most horse owners moving their horses interstate for breeding, , showing, recreation, etc. should already be in compliance with the provisions in the new rule.

Identification of Horses Horses that are required to be officially identified under the new rules may be identified by one of the following methods: • A description sufficient to identify the individual horse including, but not limited to, name, age, breed, color, gender, distinctive markings, and unique and permanent forms of identification, such as brands, tattoos, scars, cowlicks, blemishes, or biometric measurements). In the event that the identity of the horse is in question at the receiving destination, the state animal health official in the state of destination or APHIS representative may determine if the description provided is sufficient; or • Electronic identification (Animal Identification Number) that complies with ISO 11784/11785; or • Non-ISO electronic identification injected into the horse on or before March 11, 2014; or • Digital photographs sufficient to identify the individual horse; or • A USDA backtag for horses being transported to slaughter as required by the Commercial Transport of Horses to Slaughter regulations. Animal Identification Numbers and microchips are an option, but not a requirement for horses.

ICVI Requirements. Under the new rules, horses moved interstate must be accompanied by an ICVI or other document acceptable to the states involved. The person or entity responsible for moving the horse interstate must ensure it has an ICVI or other document.

The APHIS representative, state representative or accredited veterinarian issuing the ICVI or other document must forward a copy to the state health official in the state of origin within seven days of issuing the document. The state representative in the state of origin must forward a copy to the state representative in the state of destination within seven days of receiving it. In the event of a disease outbreak, these documents will be used to trace horses that are or have been at the site of the outbreak and horses that have come into contact with them.

The new regulations give states the discretion to approve other methods of movement documentation, which may include an EIA test chart, when agreed upon by the animal health officials in the states involved in the interstate movement.

While not specifically referenced, movement documents could also include an event passport. USDA has maintained options in the final rule to support the use of other movement documentation, for example an owner-shipper statement or brand certificate, if agreed to by the state animal health officials involved.

Retention of Records Currently, states bear the responsibility for the collection, maintenance, and retrieval of data on interstate livestock movements. These responsibilities will be maintained under the new rules. The animal health official or accredited veterinarian issuing or receiving an ICVI or other document must keep a copy for five years to ensure horses can be identified and traced if a disease manifests itself at or after an event.

Exclusions There are exclusions to the new requirements for the following horses: • Horses used as a mode of transportation (horseback, horse and buggy) for travel to another location that return directly to the original location. • Horses moved from a farm or stable for veterinary treatment that are returned to the same location without change in ownership. • Horses moved directly from a location in one state through another state to a second location in the original state. • Horses moved between shipping and receiving states with another form of identification or documentation other than an ICVI, e.g., a horse infectious anemia test chart, as agreed to by the shipping and receiving states or tribes involved in the movement.

You can download a PDF of the final rule here. Or http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-09/pdf/2012-31114.pdf

NOTE: All horse owners or anyone moving horses interstate or involved in that process should review the new requirements to ensure they are complying with them.

Notes From NJ Dept of Agriculture, Dr M. Tommassio

Can you tell me what documents New Jersey is requiring when crossing state lines?

The Animal Disease Traceability Rule will have no effect on the requirements for horses entering New Jersey. Our current state regulations are similar to the new traceability rules and have been in place for decades. Horses coming into NJ from other states need the following documentation: • Shall be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). • Shall be accompanied by a valid EIA (Coggins) form certifying the animal has had a negative official test (AGID or ELISA) for equine infectious anemia within the past 12 months – horses younger than 6 months and accompanied by a dam that has a negative official Coggins test within the past 12 months are exempt from testing. • Horses that are to change owners via sale, barter, or trade – shall have a negative Coggins test within 90 days prior to exchange. • Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) - CVIs are completed and signed by accredited veterinarians for any animal being transported interstate. (e.g. Pennsylvania to New Jersey) CVIs are valid for 30 days from the date of examination. The official CVI shall include the following:

o Complete name and complete address of owner o Complete address of the premises of origin o Complete name and complete address of the destination premises. A separate CVI needs to be completed for each individual fair/show to be attended. o Species, breed, sex, and age of animals

 Horses and other equine shall be identified by electronic ID, physical description and/or tattoo. Physical description must match with EIA certificate. EIA certificate may be used as official ID.

Also there have been reports that many states are banding together to accept 6 month Interstate Movement Permits. There are three groups of states that are accepting an equine “Passport,” using a commercial product called GoPass. The three groups of states do not generally allow GoPasses issued in the other two groups within their own. Even the states that are part of a GoPass compliant group often have additional and disparate requirements above and beyond the use of the GoPass. Currently, there are 23 states accepting some form of a GoPass. With the exception of New York state, none of the NE states including MD and DE accept GoPass. NY began accepting and issuing GoPass starting Jan. 2013

Is New Jersey involved in this? And if so, with which other states? New Jersey has been involved in the discussion of a NE “equine Passport” with the other states in the Northeast and to a lesser extent the Southern States.

Is there anything else that horse owners in New Jersey should know about this new law? All US territories and states have their own regulations for the import of horses into their states. Often the regulations are similar. The new Animal Disease Traceability Rule will hopefully streamline the disparate regulations between states. However, NJDA would encourage New Jersey Horse owners to remember that import rules into different states will continue to be disparate even as the Animal Disease Traceability Rule goes into effect. It is the obligation of the veterinarian writing the CVI to make sure all import requirements are met.

For example, many “backyard” horse owners trail ride across the borders in NY and PA. How does this affect them? Every time you cross a state line you should meet that states’ requirement laws. A horse returning from a day event does not need new set of CVI to return home.