Coggins Test Requirements in South Dakota: What Every Horse Owner Must Know

Equine Infectious Anemia is one of the most tightly regulated diseases in the U.S. horse industry, and South Dakota is no exception. Whether you trail ride on weekends, haul to rodeos, or run a breeding operation, understanding the state’s EIA and Coggins test requirements protects your horses and keeps you on the right side of state and federal law.

South Dakota’s Animal Industry Board (SDAIB) oversees equine disease control in the state, working alongside the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to enforce testing, movement, and quarantine rules. This guide walks you through every layer of those requirements — from which animals need a test to what happens when one tests positive.

Pro Tip: Always verify current import and testing requirements directly with the South Dakota Animal Industry Board before you move horses across state lines, as rules can change during active disease outbreaks.

What Is Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and Why It Is Regulated in South Dakota

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a transmissible infectious disease of horses caused by an RNA virus in the Lentivirus genus, family Retroviridae. The disease — caused by the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) — targets the blood and immune system, and it has no cure and no approved vaccine in the United States.

Infected horses remain infected for life, and EIA is a reportable disease regulated by the USDA and state animal health regulatory agencies. South Dakota regulates EIA because the state’s active equine industry — from ranch work and rodeos to trail riding and competitive events — creates frequent opportunities for horses to mix, making disease surveillance essential.

In nature, EIAV is a vector-transmitted disease. Blood-feeding insects transfer virus-infective blood between horses, with horse flies, deer flies, and stable flies being the most common vectors. The virus can also be transmitted unintentionally by mechanical means, or iatrogenically, through transfusion of infective blood or blood-contaminated instruments.

Symptoms include anemia, fever, fatigue, swelling, neurological abnormalities, and weight loss. Infected horses can die in a matter of days or weeks, even if they initially express no symptoms. EIA carrier horses — those that carry the virus in their blood without expressing clinical signs — are particularly dangerous to the general horse population, as they represent a silent reservoir of virus that can go on to infect other horses.

According to the Equine Disease Communication Center, about 1.3 million horses per year are tested for EIA in the United States. As of a June 2025 report, there had been 44 EIA positives in 2025 at that time, while 2024 saw 147 positive cases — 120 of which were in the primary high-risk category of Quarter Horse racehorses that contracted the disease via iatrogenic transmission through unhygienic injection practices.

Which Animals Require a Coggins Test in South Dakota

South Dakota’s EIA testing requirements apply broadly across the equine family. Under federal definitions, any animal in the Family Equidae — including horses, asses, mules, ponies, and zebras — falls under EIA regulatory requirements. This means the Coggins requirement in South Dakota is not limited to horses alone.

Within the United States, a negative AGID or ELISA test within the previous 12 months is required by all states on any horse being moved interstate, changing ownership, entered into exhibitions or competition, or being sold at auction or sales markets. South Dakota follows these federal standards and applies them to all equids subject to those triggering events.

Foals under six months of age traveling with their dam are generally exempt from the EIA test requirement, consistent with the practice applied across most states. Foals may produce false-positive results due to maternal antibodies passed via colostrum for as long as six months with either the AGID or ELISA test, which is why this age-based exemption exists. If a foal is weaned and traveling without its dam, however, testing is strongly recommended and may be required by sale facilities.

Important Note: Individual sale barns, show venues, and event organizers in South Dakota may impose stricter requirements than state minimums. Always check with the specific facility before arrival.

When a Coggins Test Is Required in South Dakota

In South Dakota, a negative EIA test is required in several distinct situations. Understanding each trigger helps you plan ahead and avoid compliance problems at checkpoints, sale barns, or event gates.

• Interstate movement: All 50 states require proof of a negative EIA test — commonly called a Coggins — for any horse crossing state lines. This applies whether you are hauling into or out of South Dakota.
• Change of ownership: Any equid that changes ownership must have a current negative EIA test on file, consistent with USDA Uniform Methods and Rules (UM&R) standards.
• Exhibitions and competitions: 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 (CVI).
• Auction and sales markets: Equids consigned to licensed livestock auction markets or sales in South Dakota must have a current negative test result.
• Breeding programs: EIA tests are required when participating in shows, sales, breeding programs, and for general disease surveillance to prevent the spread of this lifelong infection.

In general, Coggins papers are valid for up to one year; however, some states or shows may require a negative Coggins test within six months of the event or transportation. South Dakota generally accepts a test dated within the previous 12 months, but always confirm with the receiving facility or destination state if you are traveling outbound.

If you haul horses frequently across South Dakota’s borders, South Dakota participates in the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI) program. EECVIs function the same as regular health certificates but allow horse owners to move for up to six months. 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.

How the Coggins Test Works and Approved Testing Methods in South Dakota

A horse Coggins test is a blood test that determines whether a horse is carrying EIA, a viral and deadly disease among equines. Only an accredited veterinarian may collect the blood sample and submit it to an approved laboratory — the test cannot be ordered directly by an owner or conducted by non-veterinary personnel.

Two types of diagnostic tests are approved by the USDA for diagnosis of EIAV: the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test and several enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests.

The AGID test, also known as the Coggins test, is the most widely accepted procedure for the diagnosis of EIA. It detects antibody against the viral p26 antigen (major core protein) and is the only procedure that has been statistically correlated with the presence of EIA virus in blood.

ELISA tests are popular for their simplicity and rapid results, though they are more sensitive than the AGID and may occasionally yield false-positive results. All ELISA positive tests must be confirmed with an AGID test. This two-step confirmation process ensures that no horse is permanently restricted based on a single screening result alone.

South Dakota State University’s Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory is listed among APHIS-approved laboratories for Equine Infectious Anemia testing by state as of 2026. You can also use any other USDA-approved laboratory. Once the vet draws blood from the horse, it is sent to an approved laboratory for testing. Most labs return results to the vet and/or horse owner within five business days, and labs can rush results for an additional fee if travel is required sooner.

Starting April 15, 2020, all veterinarians and laboratories must use USDA-approved EIA test forms. Digital EIA certificates must include the statement “Official EIA Test Form, Approved by USDA Veterinary Services March 2020” and meet all current federal requirements.

Pro Tip: Schedule your Coggins test at least two weeks before a planned trip or event to allow time for laboratory processing and to request a rush if needed.

Interstate Movement and Import Requirements in South Dakota

When you bring horses into South Dakota from another state, the SDAIB requires that each equid entering the state carry documentation that meets both state and federal standards. The core documents you need are a current negative EIA test result and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).

In addition to Coggins papers, a CVI — or horse health certificate — is also required when transporting horses. In most cases, a CVI is valid for 30 days after the date of issue. If the Coggins expires during your trip, your CVI becomes invalid too, even if the health certificate itself has not expired.

South Dakota also has brand inspection requirements for equines moving through or out of the state. If you are hauling to, from, or through a western state, you may need a brand inspection — an official verification of ownership where a state brand inspector examines your horse’s brand and cross-references it with registration records. Brand inspection requirements apply in roughly 10–11 states, including South Dakota. You can learn more about those rules in this guide to brand inspection requirements in South Dakota.

When horses leave South Dakota and enter neighboring North Dakota, note that all horses require a negative test for Equine Infectious Anemia within 12 months prior to the date of importation, unless originating from South Dakota — though rodeo stock are not exempted from this rule. Requirements for other destination states vary, so always confirm with the destination state’s animal health office before loading up.

If you travel frequently across state lines, South Dakota participates in the EECVI program. A Health Declaration and Movement Permit (HDMP) is the travel document that horse owners create for each individual trip when using an EECVI. Prior to each movement, owners log in to their account, enter travel dates, origin, destination, and confirm the horse is healthy. The system then generates an HDMP that serves as the documentation displayed when crossing state borders.

Vesicular stomatitis outbreaks in southwestern states can trigger additional testing, permits, and quarantine for horses moving out of affected areas, and EHV-1 outbreaks can shut down shows and impose testing requirements. During an active outbreak, contact the destination state’s veterinarian office directly for the most current requirements.

What Happens When a Horse Tests Positive in South Dakota

A positive EIA test result triggers immediate regulatory action under both state and federal authority. EIA is a reportable disease; it must be reported to all relevant authorities, including state veterinarians and federal animal health entities. The SDAIB and USDA-APHIS work together to investigate the case and protect other horses in the area.

A negative Coggins test means there are no detectable antibodies at the time of testing. A positive test indicates the horse is infected and a carrier of the virus. Because infected horses remain infected for life, with no preventive vaccine and no curative treatment, a confirmed positive result has serious long-term consequences for the animal and its owner.

Once a positive result is confirmed, the horse’s owner will be contacted by state animal health officials. The horse must immediately be removed from any situation where it can contact other equids, and all horses that shared the same premises or had potential exposure must be identified and tested. If a horse tests positive for equine infectious anemia, owners are required to quarantine every horse on their place.

Epidemiological tracing is also initiated to identify the source of infection and any horses the positive animal may have been in contact with at events, sales, or shared facilities. The SDAIB will coordinate with USDA-APHIS throughout this process.

Quarantine, Euthanasia, and Isolation Rules in South Dakota

South Dakota follows the USDA EIA Uniform Methods and Rules (UM&R), which set the national framework for handling EIA-positive equines. Under these rules, an owner of a confirmed positive horse has two options: permanent quarantine or euthanasia.

A confirmed EIA-positive equid must be euthanized or quarantined for life 200 yards away from any EIA-negative equid, as per USDA EIA program rules. This 200-yard separation distance is based on the flight range of biting flies, which are the primary natural transmission vector for the virus.

If the owner chooses quarantine, the horse must remain permanently isolated at a USDA-approved location under an official quarantine order. The animal cannot be moved, sold, or transferred without explicit written authorization from state and federal animal health officials. A permanent identification tag or brand is applied to the horse to mark its status as a known EIA-positive animal.

Asymptomatic carriers may recover from their symptoms or never have symptoms in the first place, but the virus remains in their systems for the rest of their lives. For this reason, asymptomatic carriers face the same options as their symptomatic counterparts despite not appearing sick.

Horses that were exposed to a positive animal but have not yet been confirmed positive are placed under a temporary quarantine pending retesting. Potentially exposed horses that initially test negative will remain under quarantine until their 60-day retest as per USDA program requirements. This waiting period accounts for the incubation window before detectable antibodies appear in the blood.

If euthanasia is elected, it must be performed by or in the presence of a state or federal veterinary official, and proper carcass disposal must follow South Dakota’s animal disposal regulations. The SDAIB will issue documentation confirming the disposal, which closes the regulatory case for that animal.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in South Dakota

Failing to comply with South Dakota’s EIA testing and movement requirements carries real consequences — both at the state level and under federal authority. The SDAIB has enforcement authority to stop non-compliant shipments, turn back horses at state entry points, and issue civil penalties for violations.

Coming into all states and across borders, it is required to have a Coggins test for each horse being transported. Depending on the state, owners can face fines of up to $25,000 or more per horse. Federal penalties under USDA-APHIS authority apply in addition to any state-level fines.

Beyond financial penalties, non-compliance can result in:

• Refusal of entry to events, shows, sale barns, or out-of-state destinations
• Mandatory quarantine of all horses in your possession pending testing
• Seizure of animals found to be in violation of movement or testing orders
• Suspension or revocation of livestock dealer licenses for commercial operators
• Criminal referral in cases involving willful misrepresentation of test results

Disregarding the requirement of a state or event may result in refusal of entry to states and events, fines, disciplinary or corrective actions, and potentially exposing your horse to disease. The last consequence — disease exposure — is arguably the most serious, since a single undetected positive animal at a shared event can trigger a chain of infections and regulatory actions affecting dozens of horses across multiple states.

Important Note: Commercial equine operators — including dealers, auction market operators, and breeding farms — face heightened scrutiny and must maintain complete testing records for all animals on their premises. The SDAIB conducts routine inspections of licensed facilities.

Keeping your Coggins paperwork current and accessible is the simplest way to stay compliant. Store digital copies on your phone alongside your CVI and brand inspection certificate so you can produce them immediately at any checkpoint or event gate. If you manage multiple horses or operate a facility, work with your accredited veterinarian to set up a testing schedule that keeps all animals current well before their annual expiration dates.

For more on South Dakota’s animal laws and regulations, see our guides on exotic pets that are legal in South Dakota, goat ownership laws in South Dakota, and pit bull laws in South Dakota. If you’re concerned about biting fly activity — a key EIA transmission risk — our article on biting flies in South Dakota covers the species most likely to affect your horses.