The Coggins test, explained
What a Coggins is, why every horse needs a current one, how long it lasts and where to keep it.
3 min read
A Coggins is a blood test for equine infectious anemia, a virus with no cure that spreads by biting flies. A negative Coggins is required to travel across state lines, to enter most shows and many boarding barns, and to sell a horse.
How it works
Your vet draws blood and sends it to a lab. The result comes back in a few days as a certificate with the horse's description or photo. Most states require the test within the last twelve months; some shows and haulers want six.
Keeping it current
Test once a year, ideally with spring vaccines so it is fresh for show season. Keep the certificate where you can find it: haulers ask for it at the ramp. On Foalioo, a Coggins uploaded to a horse's papers sets a reminder for the renewal date, and a share link sends the certificate to a hauler or show office without a sign-in.
Keep the record on Foalioo
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