As horse owners gear up for competitions, rodeos, and exhibitions, veterinarians play a critical role in preparing equine travelers for interstate movement. A key part of that preparation involves choosing the appropriate health documentation. Two primary options exist for equine travel: the Standard Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI).
Understanding the purpose, requirements, and advantages of both options can help equine veterinarians provide informed guidance to clients during the busy show season and beyond.
What Is a Standard CVI?
A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is a regulatory document required for interstate transport of animals, including horses. Issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian after a physical examination, the CVI confirms that an animal appears healthy and is not showing signs of contagious disease at the time of inspection.
Key Features of a Standard CVI:
- Validity: Valid for 30 days from the date of issue
- Veterinary Exam: Required for each individual certificate
- Trip Frequency: Must be reissued for each new trip
- State Acceptance: Recognized in all 50 U.S. states
- Format: Available in paper and digital formats
Standard CVIs are widely used for one-time travel to shows, sales, and relocations. They provide a familiar and universally accepted form of health verification for horse owners and event organizers.
What Is an EECVI?
An Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI) is a digital certificate that allows eligible horses to travel across state lines for up to 6 months with a single veterinary exam, provided the horse remains healthy and the owner submits travel itineraries online.
Key Features of an EECVI:
- Validity: Valid for up to 6 months
- Veterinary Exam: Required only once during the 6-month period
- Trip Frequency: Multiple trips permitted within the validity period
- State Acceptance: Only accepted by participating states (over 30 currently)
- Format: Must be issued and managed digitally (through GlobalVetLink)
EECVIs are designed for equine travelers who frequently cross state lines, such as show and rodeo participants, trainers, or sales professionals.
Choosing the Right Option: Factors to Consider
Veterinarians and their clients should evaluate several factors when determining which certificate is most appropriate for travel needs:
1. Frequency of Travel
- One or two trips planned? A standard CVI may be sufficient.
- Multiple trips within a few months? An EECVI could reduce repeated exams and paperwork.
2. Destination States
- Verify whether the destination state accepts EECVIs. Not all states participate.
- Standard CVIs are universally accepted.
3. Client Preference
- Some clients may prefer the familiarity of a standard CVI.
- Others may appreciate the flexibility and convenience of EECVIs for recurring travel.
4. Digital Readiness
- EECVIs require online submission of travel itineraries and digital access via platforms like GlobalVetLink.
- Standard CVIs can be issued on paper or electronically via GlobalVetLink, depending on clinic workflows.
Both Standard CVIs and EECVIs are valuable tools that serve different needs in equine travel and health documentation. By understanding the distinctions between them, veterinarians can better support their clients’ travel plans while ensuring compliance with animal health regulations.
Whether preparing a horse for a single out-of-state event or managing a multi-stop travel schedule across several months, veterinarians have flexible certification options to match every scenario.
Need help issuing CVIs or EECVIs?
GlobalVetLink offers digital solutions to streamline certificate creation, submission, and tracking.