Why Dr. Holt requires a brand inspection to get a Coggins and Health Certificate.
Brand Inspection/Travel/Coggins Test/Health Certificate
update by Dr. Holt
We often get calls to our office regarding travel and our requirement for a brand inspection being completed prior to your appointment with Dr. Holt for a Coggins test and health certificate for traveling out of state or internationally. A lot of people argue with my office manager that they do not have to have a brand inspection done.
The Coggins test is an official ID and ownership document. The reason I personally require you to have a brand inspection done prior to my doing a Coggins test is to protect your horse from theft. I have people present me with everything from a hand-scrawled bill of sale, to registration papers from the original owner (3 owners ago) that have never been transferred to the current owner, to no proof of ownership at all. There is a grey area at the state level. I have spoken to the Washington State Veterinarian about this issue. I could take the person’s word for it and go ahead and complete the Coggins test, which would then officially give that person ownership documentation for that horse (whether they are the rightful owner or not). I AM NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING ANYONE STEAL A HORSE!
The function of a Washington State Brand Inspector is “Inspects livestock … to establish ownership and to assure compliance with Livestock Identification Act; assists in livestock theft prevention program.” By requiring a brand inspection be completed prior to my performing a Coggins test, I am allowing the state official that is trained and tasked with establishing ownership to do that. Once ownership is established by the brand inspection, I can then complete the Coggins test paperwork as the official identification of the horse and owner.
Your horse does not have to be branded/have a brand to have a brand inspection completed. To schedule an appointment for a brand inspection you can call
Stacy Gundersen the Brand inspector at (360)391-6183.
You can get a one-time brand inspection, or the state offers a lifetime brand inspection. I personally got a lifetime brand inspection done on all my horses, then I don’t have to do this again. When we travel, I already have my paperwork done to complete the Coggins and health certificate.
I, Robert, personally require this step. I do this to protect you and your horse. If you do not want to have this protection, feel free to call someone else about your travel needs.
Thank you for your understanding and support in trying to protect you and your horse.
Dr. Robert Holt
You can read more about the Coggins/health certificate process here.