Equine Visa Run

AUGUST 22. 2023 So I’m back again to tell you about my adventures, like I mentioned earlier, life is busy during the summer and this year we made things a little bit different. I definitely got more air miles in this summer than I have in a long time and I will tell you all about it. But first, let me explain to you the reason why. The import and export of horses and other livestock to and from The United States is regulated by an organization called USDA, United States Department of Agriculture. One of their jobs is to make sure all animals imported are healthy and free of diseases. To ensure this whenever traveling into the US, a horse no matter if it is a Stallion, mare or gelding gets taken in for two days testing in a state facility. For a showgroom, spending all your time traveling and taking care of these horses; this is a process that can feel scary. Leaving them alone for TWO FULL DAYS. Haha but they are ok, they still get food and water, and they are still surrounded by people. This is just the way this process goes and we all have to accept it.

After the two days in the USDA, geldings are released to travel freely around the country. However, mares and stallions must move to a quarantine facility for further testing. For a mare, the quarantine period is around two weeks and for a stallion it’s around five weeks. These quarantines are normally privately owned but regulated by the USDA.

Here the horses get tested for CEM, Contagious Equine Metritis, which is another disease that United States is considered “free” from. The reason only mares and stallions get tested for this is that the disease is transmitted primarily through breeding.

So this is what I jokingly call the Equine Visa Run. This is just my word for it, for sure it has a fancy name but basically a quick trip in the country so you can restart your 60 days once you travel out again. Of course there is a lot of paperwork involved in keeping track of the horse movements while outside the US but it is nice to be able to fly “home” and get to take ALL ponies home as soon as they are out of the mandatory two days in USDA. As I said before I have clocked some air miles this summer, mostly because of this. We decided this year that we wanted to do these trips with our stallion.

So after doing a couple shows in Europe, Paris being the last one that you can read about in my most recent blog post, it was time to do a quick trip home. After making sure all paperwork was in order and making sure he was well prepared for the trip, me and Don got picked up from our stable outside Brussels, Belgium to begin our journey to New York. Normally flights to New York and Chicago leave from Liege, Belgium and flights to Miami leave from Amsterdam, Holland.

After spending two days networking and catching up it was time to pick up Don from USDA and take him home. A short truck ride later and we were at the most beautiful farm in New Jersey where we would spend the next few days. After having the busy and intense show schedule that the summer brings, both me and Don were enjoying the relaxing time at the farm. Going for trail rides, enjoying the endless amount of green grass and visiting some retired old friends. At that farm there is seven horses that has been in my care throughout the years of working for Jessie, all healthy and happy. As a groom it is the dream to see that this paradise is what awaits my horses when they retire from the sport.

After a very relaxing week (which is always too short), it was time for us to head back to Europe. Back on a truck we went, back to USDA for a few hours to get the paperwork stamped, loaded back into the jet stall.

The containers with the horses got loaded into the aircraft and we were ready for takeoff once again. Don travelled yet again like a professional, getting bribed with apples and carrots of course. I always take a bottle of apple juice with me on the flight as well to put in his water. Normally this will make him want to empty that bucket of water and make sure he stays hydrated.

Finally back on European soil horses were unloaded into stalls at the airport to chill out for a an hour or so while we were waiting for the paperwork to be stamped, equipment to be released out of customs and go on the short truck ride back to our base in Belgium. About 30 hours after leaving that beautiful farm in New Jersey both me and Don were back in our beds.

This might seem confusing (it is for everyone, trust me) and a hassle but it does make a difference for us not to have to put him in quarantine and we both really enjoyed our little getaway. Thanks to The Dutta Corp. we also had everything going as smooth as it possibly could.

The Equine Visa run was completed for this time and we had another 60 days before we had to head back to the US again. Now time to try to get back on this time zone for me and Don, (yes horses get jet lagged too) and head back to the shows.

Until the next destination….

This content was provided by Yehaww. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Wellington International.

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