Trail building equestrians of New Mexico

[Una Smith <una.smith AT att.net>]

There is an equine piroplasmosis, caused by a parasite related to the parasite
that causes human piroplasmosis.  Equine piroplasmosis was eradicated from
the US in 1988.  In 2009, two separate outbreaks were detected, in Texas and
in New Mexico, involving about 400 horses testing positive for antibodies to
the parasite.  Among those 400 only a single animal has been reported with
clinical signs of the disease.  Over 5,600 equine contacts of those 400 horses
have tested negative.

Piroplasmosis is spread by ticks (only certain species) and by contaminated
blood products.  The New Mexico outbreak is restricted to race horses and is
thought to be due to transfusions intended to enhance performance.  The Texas
outbreak is due to transmission by ticks on the King Ranch and its vicinity.

Equine piroplasmosis occurs in most of the world, and to move a horse from any
country where it occurs into the US, the horse normally must test negative for
antibodies to this parasite.  Similar, new test requirements are in place now
for horses moving from the US to other countries, and within many states in 
the
US.

Now to travel with your horse across state lines not only do you need a recent
veterinary certificate of health, and a negative test for EIA, but in some
states you also need a negative test for equine piroplasmosis.

New Mexico's current requirements for equines and piroplasmosis are here:
http://www.nmlbonline.com/index.php?id=15

        Una Smith
        New Mexico