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About the EECVI:
The State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has granted equine owners and veterinarians access to the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI) for an 18-month trial period. EECVIs are six-month digital health certificates for horses that provide a solution for frequent travelers with simple, online entry of planned movements. North Dakota participates in the EECVI program, along with 32 other states. Request an EECVI from your veterinarian, who will create the EECVI online, submit it to the state veterinarian’s office and provide owners with online access to retrieve their travel permits 24/7.

After receiving the EECVI:
We hope that you find the EECVI convenient and understand the responsibility that has been put in your hands. This tool will allow you to cross state lines by self-reporting, or permitting, travel while providing disease traceability through the State Veterinarian’s Office by replacing paper health certificates with digital owner reporting. When disease concerns arise, our office can quickly notify owners and veterinarians of potential issues through this system.

Important to remember:

  1. Record your trips online as they happen. EECVI is not a free pass and requires that travel be self-recorded/permitted by you. Your veterinarian and the BOAH are giving you the responsibility to permit your own movements. This information will only be used if an animal disease is documented to assist in animal disease tracing and for notification.

  2. Monitor your horse’s health and don’t move sick horses. Keep sick horses home and away from other healthy animals.

  3. Communicate with your veterinarian. Report and discuss any animal health concern with your veterinarian. Prompt reporting of an illness may help prevent other horses from getting sick by halting a disease before it spreads.

  4. Practice biosecurity while you travel. Diseases can spread from not only sick animals, but also from apparently healthy animals. Limiting your horse’s exposure to other animals reduces the chance of them catching a “bug.” Wash your hands after touching or handling other animals and equipment before returning to your horse. Objects like saddles, brushes, bridles, and other objects can serve as a source of disease when contaminated.

  5. Brand inspection is still required. EECVI is only an extended certificate of veterinary inspection and does not change brand requirements for movement and change of ownership. Permanent horse permits are available through the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. When combined, these two tools may assist with the complexities and costs of moving horses frequently. Contact your brand inspector or the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association for more information about brand inspection and animal movements.

Contact your veterinarian, Global Vet Link, or our office if you have questions or need assistance with your EECVI.

We wish you and your horse(s) health and happiness in your travels.