AMERICAN RIDERS:

Crossing the border into Canada is not really that complicated, and is very much worth the effort.

Health: To cross your horses into Canada and back into the USA, you need a negative Coggin’s Test that is no more than 6 months old, and a signed Vet Certificate, current within 30 days of crossing, identifying your horses, and declaring them to be healthy.

Hay: You cannot import hay into Canada. But not to worry, we will supply you with all hay you’ll need at a cost of $5 (Canadian) per 50-pound (approximate weight) bale.

You should know that we grow our own hay specifically for horses, and it’s very good. And if we’re out of our own hay, we will supply you with the same great quality from a neighbor who also grows hay just for horses.

That said though; our experience in bringing our own horses from the USA back into Canada has been that no one at the Canadian border has ever questioned us about the hay we’ve returned with.

Cleanliness: Your trailer and truck have to be free from mud and what could possibly be contaminated soil.

Although this is one of the requirements to get your horses into Canada, it is not one that we’ve ever encountered.

Where To Cross: You can cross your horses at any USA/Canadian border crossing without the need of calling in advance, or crossing where there is a vet.

As long as you have the proper papers (Coggin’s Test and Vet Certificate), no hay, and a clean rig, crossing into Canada and back into the USA should pose no problem at all.

Anne and I have crossed repeatedly into the USA with a 6-month Coggin’s Test and a 30-day Vet Certificate through US border crossings staffed without veterinarians, too many times to remember, and we have never been turned away.

The preceding applies only for pleasure horses, which will not stay longer than 30 days, and will not be sold or left behind.

Disclaimer: Even though we’re confident that the above information is accurate, we do not assume any responsibility for any problems you might encounter crossing your horses into Canada and back into the USA. Your best bet is to call the appropriate authorities (Canadian and American) in advance of crossing to make certain that there have been no policy changes.