EIA and Coggins Test Requirements in New York: What Every Horse Owner Must Know

If you own, transport, or sell horses in New York, the Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test — widely known as the Coggins test — is not optional. All horses and equidae transported on a public road in New York State must be accompanied by a copy of a current negative test report for Equine Infectious Anemia. Miss that requirement and you could face legal penalties, a horse you cannot legally move, and potential exposure of other animals to a disease with no cure.

EIA is not a threat to humans, but it can be fatal in horses. It is caused by a virus found in the blood of infected horses. Understanding New York’s specific rules — who must test, when, how, and what happens if a result comes back positive — is essential for every horse owner, dealer, and equine event manager in the state.

What Is Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and Why It Is Regulated in New York

EIA, commonly known as “swamp fever,” poses a serious threat to horses. It is caused by a retrovirus that can lead to serious illness or death. EIA is a disease that threatens the world’s horse, donkey, and mule populations. Despite testing and measures to eradicate the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), more than 500 new cases are identified each year in the U.S.

While certain equines may carry the virus without displaying any outward signs, others may exhibit pronounced symptoms such as irregular heartbeats, edema in the legs and abdomen, lethargy, anemia, elevated body temperature, and, in severe cases, sudden death. Some horses may not show symptoms of the disease but still serve as a source of new infection for other horses, underlining the need for horse owners to be vigilant.

EIA is most often spread by biting insects such as horse and deer flies. The virus is also spread through the use of unsterilized needles and syringes, and contaminated equipment used in dentistry, tattooing, surgery, hoof care, and grooming. There is no cure or vaccine for EIA, making testing critical for disease prevention and control.

Within the equine industry, EIA is commonly referred to by the name of the laboratory test, “Coggins.” The Coggins test is named after Dr. Leroy Coggins, who earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University, where he later developed the first widely available and one of the most reliable tests for this serious disease. The Coggins test became the official U.S. Department of Agriculture test for EIA in 1973.

New York State has experienced two outbreaks of EIA since 2014, and the number of confirmed EIA cases has increased nationally. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets enforces EIA regulations through its Division of Animal Industry, which actively investigates cases and educates horse owners and veterinarians across the state. If you want to understand other animal health regulations in New York, you can also review rabies vaccine requirements in New York for additional context on how the state manages disease control.

Key Insight: EIA is regulated in New York not because it affects humans, but because infected horses become lifelong carriers, making unchecked transmission a serious risk to the entire state equine population.

Which Animals Require a Coggins Test in New York

The term “equine” covers any animal in the Family Equidae, including horses, asses, mules, ponies, and zebras. New York’s EIA testing requirements apply to all of these animals — not just horses. If you own or transport any equid in the state, the rules below apply to you.

Agriculture and Markets’ Part 61 and Article 5, Section 90 requires all parties dealing in livestock including horses to obtain a Domestic Animal Health Permit (DAHP). It has been determined that the activities of equine rescue organizations fall under this requirement if they are engaged in activities where horses are taken in and subsequently placed with a third party. This also includes horses that are brokered and never come to the premises of the organization.

There is no exemption in the law for incorporated, nonprofit organizations or organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Whether you run a private barn, a commercial operation, or a nonprofit rescue, the same testing obligations apply to every equid in your care. For a broader look at animals native to the state, explore our guide on the types of insects in New York, including the biting flies that are the primary vectors of EIA.

When a Coggins Test Is Required in New York

All horses and equidae transported on a public road in New York State must be accompanied by a copy of a current negative test report for Equine Infectious Anemia. A horse cannot change ownership in New York State absent a negative result of a test taken within the past 12 months.

New York law identifies three situations where transport without a current EIA test is permitted:

• Going directly to a livestock market for sale as a green-tagged animal, and that market has permission from the state to accept horses without current EIA tests.
• Traveling directly from a livestock market approved by the state to sell green-tagged equids with pending EIA tests. These animals will have a pending EIA test from the livestock market.
• The green market tag cannot come off the animal before the results are received by the new owner. The animal must be moved to a single location pending test results, and must have been sold directly by the market to the purchaser with no intermediate ownership.

If you purchase a horse in New York and a copy of the EIA test is not provided, you cannot legally transport the horse. A Domestic Animal Health Permit holder is not allowed to sell or transfer ownership of a horse without a current EIA test.

Beyond transport and ownership transfer, a current negative Coggins is also required at county fairs and the New York State Fair. The Department’s Division of Animal Industry sets guidelines to help ensure the health and safety of animals at county fairs across New York, in addition to the Great New York State Fair, and animal health requirements are posted for each fair season. You should also know that some of the fastest horse breeds are among those most commonly moved between events and states — making current Coggins documentation especially important for performance and competition horses.

Pro Tip: Keep a physical or digital copy of your horse’s Coggins certificate accessible whenever you are on the road. New York law requires you to carry it during transport — not just have it on file at home.

How the Coggins Test Works and Approved Testing Methods in New York

The test is performed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian who draws a small blood sample from a horse with a needle and syringe. This sample is sent to a USDA-approved laboratory, where it is analyzed for antibodies against the EIA virus. Only a Category II federally accredited veterinarian, state animal health official, or federal animal health official may submit samples for EIA testing.

Two laboratory methods are approved for official EIA testing in the United States, both of which are used in New York:

• AGID (Agar Gel Immunodiffusion): AGID returns results in 24–48 hours. The blood is checked for antibodies that correspond to EIA virus particles. A horse will not have these antibodies unless they carry the virus.
• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): This test takes less than an hour, but can be less specific and more sensitive, so there is a potential for a false positive. If a horse has a positive ELISA, a second test run by AGID will be used to confirm whether the horse truly has EIA.

All test kits used for testing of horses must be approved by the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). EIA test paperwork for all New York State horses tested at any laboratory may be reviewed by Agriculture and Markets staff to determine the time elapsed between when the sample was taken and when it was tested, and to assure completion of all required information.

Serum is the only acceptable sample for the EIA AGID and EIA ELISA kits currently in use at Cornell’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center. Specimens may be stored at 2–8°C for up to 28 days, meaning the specimen must be tested within 28 days of sampling if maintained under refrigeration during that period.

Electronic EIA (Coggins) test reports must include three pictures of the tested horse or a complete physical description. All EIA tests are official and must be accompanied by an official test form. All information and data points on official test forms must be filled out. If any field is “none,” write “none” or line through it — do not leave blank fields.

Results are recorded on USDA Veterinary Services Form VS 10-11. These results, often referred to as Coggins papers, are available as either a paper or electronic certificate and should be kept with the horse’s health records. The test results expire one year from the testing date. For more on how New York regulates animals and their health documentation, see our overview of rabies vaccine requirements for cats in New York.

Interstate Movement and Import Requirements in New York

Proof of a negative EIA test performed at an accredited laboratory is required for entry into all 50 states. When you bring a horse into New York from another state, the same standard applies: you must have a current negative Coggins test on hand.

No permit number is required for importation into New York State. However, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — sometimes called a health certificate — is typically required alongside the Coggins when crossing state lines. In addition to Coggins papers, a CVI is also required when transporting horses.

Many neighboring states have formed reciprocal livestock health arrangements so people who travel frequently with their horses between states can obtain an “equine passport” or equine interstate event permit (EIEP). Horse owners in the mid-Atlantic states and the South have the option of getting an EIEP that is good for six months and includes 15 states, from Texas to Virginia, as well as New York.

Several state animal health departments allow veterinarians and horse owners the option of a six-month health certificate, as long as a current Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) / Coggins test has been provided. An EECVI is valid for six months from the CVI inspection date or until the horse’s current EIA/Coggins test expires, whichever comes first. Since EIA tests are typically valid for 12 months from the blood draw date, the EECVI expiration is determined by whichever date occurs sooner.

Important Note: Always confirm current interstate requirements directly with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or the destination state’s animal health office before travel, as requirements can be updated between publication dates.

Officials at most every event or show will ask to see a copy of your horse’s current negative Coggins test and/or a certificate of veterinary inspection. Plan ahead — when blood is shipped out, owners can typically expect to receive test results in three to seven days, depending on shipping, day of the week, and laboratory hours.

What Happens When a Horse Tests Positive in New York

A positive result on a Coggins test indicates that a horse has been exposed to the EIA virus and is likely infected. In most cases, a second test will be submitted to confirm this infection. Within 24 hours of a positive result, your horse will be placed in quarantine more than 200 yards from other horses until confirmation testing and classification is complete. The state veterinarian will be informed and a case will be opened to ensure proper protocols are followed.

If your horse has a positive Coggins test, veterinarians must report the positive result to the state animal health authority. The veterinarian will then place the affected horse under quarantine and repeat the Coggins test to rule out a false positive.

EIA is a reportable disease, meaning that a positive test result must by law be reported to local or state veterinary authorities. These officials will typically take over management of the case, ensuring that biosecurity measures are in place and advising on the next steps.

Once a positive result is confirmed, you face a narrow set of options. The USDA and state animal health regulatory agencies require euthanasia or strict lifelong quarantine for horses testing positive for EIAV. Horse owners must permanently quarantine or euthanize the horse if the second test confirms an EIA diagnosis. Even if infected horses don’t show clinical signs of the disease, they can still transmit the infection to others.

Quarantine, Euthanasia, and Isolation Rules in New York

New York follows federal USDA guidelines for managing EIA-positive equids, which set strict minimum standards for isolation. Quarantine regulations for horses with EIA are very strict. They require horses to be housed 200 yards away from other horses and kept in a barn covered in mesh to keep out biting insects.

The reasoning behind the 200-yard rule is biological: positive horses must be kept 200 yards away from all other equids because that is the distance a horsefly can travel and still transmit the live EIA virus. Screening the stall against insects is not optional — it is a core part of the isolation protocol.

Horses testing positive for EIAV are required by law to be permanently identified via branding or tattooing and quarantined. Transportation and housing are severely restricted.

If your horse tests positive for EIAV, your options are extremely limited. Federal and state health agencies, as well as the American Association of Equine Practitioners, support euthanasia as the most prudent option. Lifelong quarantine in a screened stall is another, less acceptable alternative.

Most horse owners choose to euthanize horses with equine infectious anemia to prevent the spread of this disease and avoid long-term suffering. EIAV-positive horses will always pose an unnecessary health risk to other horses, whether or not they show signs of illness. Even in the best management situations, blood-sucking insects cannot be totally controlled or eliminated. The only way to eradicate the disease is to eliminate the carriers.

Horses exposed to a confirmed-positive animal are also subject to testing and monitoring. Exposed equines will be quarantined and tested, and will be subject to a retest 45–60 days after the removal of the EIA-positive horse. Quarantine will remain in effect until negative retest results are received.

Important Note: There is currently no USDA-approved vaccine for EIA in the United States. There is no approved vaccine for EIA in the United States. Prevention depends entirely on testing, biosecurity, and insect control.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in New York

Ignoring New York’s EIA testing requirements carries real legal consequences. A person who violates any of the provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200, or by imprisonment for not less than one month nor more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, for the first offense; and by not more than one year’s imprisonment for the second offense.

Allowing a Coggins test to expire can result in legal penalties, fines, or restrictions on a horse’s movement, and may prevent entry to shows, events, or facilities. Beyond criminal penalties, a Domestic Animal Health Permit can be suspended or revoked for violations — effectively ending a dealer’s or rescue organization’s ability to operate legally in the state.

Falsifying Coggins documents is treated far more severely at the federal level. If found guilty of falsifying Coggins reports, in addition to state penalties, the federal government provides for significant fines and imprisonment. Falsification of the official EIA test form or knowingly using a falsified form is a criminal offense and may result in a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.

The practical consequences of non-compliance extend beyond the courtroom. If it appears after an investigation or hearing that any person is guilty of a violation, an action or proceeding may be instituted in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover a penalty, compel compliance, or prevent a continuance of the violations.

Violation Type	Governing Authority	Potential Penalty
Transporting without current Coggins	NY Agriculture and Markets Law	Misdemeanor; fine $25–$200 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment (first offense)
Selling/transferring horse without current EIA test (DAHP holder)	NY Agriculture and Markets Law	Misdemeanor; permit suspension or revocation
Second offense violation	NY Agriculture and Markets Law	Up to 1 year imprisonment
Falsifying or using a falsified EIA test form	Federal (U.S.C. Section 1001)	Fine up to $10,000 and/or up to 5 years imprisonment

The simplest way to stay compliant is to test annually, keep your Coggins papers accessible during any transport, and verify that any horse you purchase comes with a current negative test before you move the animal. If you are new to horse ownership or expanding your herd, reviewing other New York animal health regulations alongside EIA rules will give you a clearer picture of your obligations under state law. You may also find it useful to read about types of bats in New York and types of bees in New York, as insect and wildlife activity in your area can influence biosecurity planning for your property.

For the most current requirements, contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets directly or consult a Category II federally accredited veterinarian in your area. Regulations can be updated, and confirming the latest rules with an authoritative source is always the right move before any transport, sale, or equine event.