IMPORTING FROM CONTAGIOUS EQUINE METRITIS (CEM) AFFECTED COUNTRIES

Please refer to the following links for updated information regarding CEM Import Quarantine Testing Protocol.

CEM TESTING PROTOCOLS:

• Procedural Changes Enacted by USDA's Published Rule (Effective March 13, 2013)
• Quarantine Facility Guidelines (Extracted from USDA Document 13406.1)

CEM TESTING AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES/REQUIREMENTS:

• Imported Mares, Maiden Fillies and Females from Non-CEM Countries
• Stallions Imported for Breeding

SUBMITTING CEM TESTING:

• Contact the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for Submission Guidelines
• CEM Culture Submission Form
• CEM Complement-Fixation Submission Form

BREEDING SHED INFORMATION - LISTING OF IMPORTED MARES

Below is a link to open the listing of thoroughbred mares imported from CEM affected countries since June 1, 2024.  Please remember that before these mares are bred, you should receive a copy of the "Quarantine Release" - and if not included on the Quarantine Release - a copy of the CEM culture collected from the endometrium, indicating they have satisfactorily completed the CEM testing procedure.  Each of these mares are to be bred last in the session.

In addition, remember that "MAIDEN MARES or MARES IMPORTED FROM NON-CEM AFFECTED COUNTRIES" ARE NOT INCLUDED ON THIS LIST. It is the breeding shed's responsibility to identify these mares when they are booked, and to ensure that the proper testing has been satisfactorily completed. They need two sets of swabs collected and cultured negative for CEM. A swab shall be collected from the endometrium and cultured for CEM. This swab may be included with either of the required sets of swabs; or, in the case of a pregnant mare, this swab may be collected after foaling. These mares are to be prophylactically scrubbed and are bred last in the session.

Also, please remember to notify the Office of State Veterinarian whenever an imported mare is covered by one of your stallions.  We need the name of the covering stallion, breeding date, imported mare's name, and boarding farm including the correct mailing address.  In addition, we need the same information for the next three mares covered by the same stallion.

• Imported Mare Listing (Updated Periodically)
• Imported Mare Listing FAQ

CONTAGIOUS EQUINE METRITIS

Kentucky is approved by the USDA to accept both mares and stallions from countries considered by the USDA as being affected with Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM).  We accept and clear from quarantine in excess of 300 mares and 25 stallions here in Kentucky annually.  During the course of the quarantine, the animal undergoes a series of tests and treatments to determine that the animal is not infected with CEM.  All of the work done on the animal during the quarantine is performed under the supervision of a representative from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture by a private practitioner who is licensed and accredited to practice in Kentucky.

In the past, the length of the quarantine varied with each mare.  Non-pregnant mares most often were cleared and released from the quarantine in as little as 35 days.  Pregnant mares, however, remained quarantined until a final set of cultures were obtained post-foaling.  Recent changes in the regulations now make it possible for all mares to complete the prescribed testing and treatments in as little as three (3) weeks. With regard to the male animal, again, all work is performed under the supervision of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture by a private practitioner.  In the past, the quarantine period on stallions was approximately 55 days.  Again, the prescribed testing and treatment requirements were changed and now stallions can be completed in as little as 38 days.  In order to determine that the stallion is not infected with CEM, the animal is bred to two (2) mares and the mares are then subsequently tested for the detection of CEM bacteria.

Kentucky is unique in that it is the only state we know of which requires some degree of CEM testing on all equine animals which have ever been in any foreign country (Canada is sole exception) for any purpose after the animal reached 731 days of age.  This testing must be completed before the animal is permitted entry into a breeding shed or facility.  Any stallion wishing to stand at stud in Kentucky, which has been outside of the United States (except for Canada) is required to undergo the test breeding procedure.  Again, this takes about 38 days to complete.  Any mare (even maiden fillies) which has been outside of the United States (except for Canada) are required to have a minimum of two (2) sets of cultures before being eligible to be bred in Kentucky.  This procedure takes no fewer than ten (10) days.

EQUINE IMPORTS - BREEDING EQUINE FROM CEM AFFECTED COUNTRIES

Click to view Kentucky Department of Agriculture Kentucky CEM important program statistics

EQUINE IMPORTS - EQUINE FROM NON-CEM COUNTRIES

Imported Equine Not Quarantined Upon Arrival Includes:

• 1) Equine from non-CEM affected countries
• 2) Equine less than 731 days of age at the time of importation
• 3) Thoroughbred horses from England, Ireland, or France which are certified as having not been on a breeding premise since reaching 731 days of age
• 4) Geldings

The following information indicates the number of equine imported into Kentucky for the period 1992 thru 2004, which were not required by the USDA's Federal Code of Regulations to be quarantined and successfully complete the CEM testing and treatment requirements upon their arrival in Kentucky.

Our own State Administrative Regulations do require the successful completion of Prescribed CEM Tests before the animal is eligible to be bred. Follow this link for an outline of the testing requirements for FEMALES or MALES:

Click to view Kentucky Department of Agriculture Kentucky CEM important program statistics