You need to have a current Coggins test and an
international health certificate. Your regular vet can do the
international health certificate, but does need some lead time, as he has to
have the correct paperwork to fill out (may already have it, if he has other
clients that regularly cross the border) and has to send it to the USDA
vet's office in your state to be endorsed and have it returned to
you. Also, if there are current disease outbreaks, there may be additional
restrictions (often your vet will need to check for particular things and will
need to state on the certificate that he has done so if there is a particular
restriction in effect). Contact your veterinarian and have him check with
the state as to the current cost of endorsing health certificates for
Canada. Get in touch with your vet now, and work out the timeline for when
you need to have your Coggins pulled and the exam done for the health
certificate, so that you can be assured of having it done in time for when you
plan to go. Then, when you do make the trip, check on the border crossing
that you plan to use and see when (and if!) it is open for livestock
crossing. Again, the USDA vet can give you a list of which crossings you
can use and when they are open for livestock, as well as contact phone numbers
to double-check.
It really isn't as difficult as it sounds, and I think
you'll enjoy the Canadian rides--give it a whirl! :-)
Looking for information about traveling to
British Columbia, Canada rides from the states. I live in Montana and
was looking at a couple, Beaverdell Bonanza and Ellison Ridge, but I don't
know what kind of hoops need to be jumped through to cross the border.
Anyone out there in the NW area that has gone to
BC for rides and can fill me in I would be grateful. Need to know about
cost, papers, border crossings, etc.
