Compliant horse travel for 30 days or 6 months?

by Rebecca Haugland | April 8, 2020

Why acceptance of EECVI continues to grow among veterinarians, horse owners and state animal health officials

A number of state animal health officials launched the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI) program in January 2019. EECVIs function the same as regular health certificates, but allow horse owners to move for up to six months.

Through the GVL software system, veterinarians can create an EECVI online, submit it to their state animal health official electronically and provide owners with online access to retrieve their travel permits 24/7.

Over the last year, more state veterinarians have joined in accepting EECVIs and encourage veterinarians to share the option of a six month health certificate with their equine clients (see all participating states here).

“The new EECVI system, which produces a movement document for each movement, provides enhanced traceability of the highly mobile equine population traveling across the country for competitions, exhibitions or trail rides,” says Katie Flynn, BVMS, Equine Staff Veterinarian, CDFA-EMMP.

EECVI progress in 2020

GVL users completed over 1,000 EECVIs in the month of March this year (before the ramifications of COVID-19 had a severe impact on travel in the US).

Many veterinarians expect to see an influx in health certificate requests when it’s safe to travel again. Providing clients with EECVIs over the next couple of months may help ease that burden on practices.

“Even though most events are being cancelled or postponed, many owners are still taking their horses on camping trips and trail rides, where they can get out and still remain distant from others,” says Michaela Whitney, GVL product manager. “If these clients have an EECVI, that gives them six months of compliant travel instead of just 30 days, with one vet visit.”

What we’re hearing from users

Our customer success and product teams work continuously to gain user feedback to understand what they like about our platform, as well as what we can update to better meet their needs.

“We continue to hear from veterinarians and owners how smoothly EECVIs work,” Michaela said. “Not only can clients log their travel plans themselves, but they enjoy having the freedom to travel for different events in various states without needing to get a new health certificate every month.”

Here’s what we hear about EECVIs from veterinarians and clinic staff:

Super easy process for the veterinarian, client and state animal health official.

  • Clients love the value of a six-month health certificate with one vet visit.
  • Simple photo upload and data collection through GVL HorseSync app.
  • Follow up and communication with clients is easier than ever.