Posted 2017-07-23 3:33 PM (#170320) Subject: Tell me more about brand inspections and certified weed free hay please
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 391 Location: Columbia, KY
A friend and I are planning to do an endurance ride in Wyoming next summer. We'll be driving from Kentucky. How do I know which states require certified weed free hay, and where do we find it once we're on the road?
Also brand inspections - KY doesn't require them and I'm not really clear what they are. It's something else besides a coggins and HC, right? my horses are microchipped and freeze branded but apparently it has nothing to do w/ a brand but proof of ownership? and if I don't have an sales receipt for the horse then what?
Posted 2017-07-24 6:57 PM (#170326 - in reply to #170320) Subject: RE: Tell me more about brand inspections and certified weed free hay please
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: BRONSON ,IA.
Acy, I have traveled west many times from my home in Iowa. SD has a certified weed free program and a brand inspection program west of the Missouri river . Certified hay must be used on any public land but not required at private facilities. You may be checked by brand inspector in SD or WY, but all that is required is current health certificate from your home vet that will have a picture or likeness drawing of your horse with any identifying marks, such as color and your brand and your final destination. Also, you will need current coggins papers..That is all that has been required any place out west including CO.NM, and AZ . Just remember, you may carry your home hay in your trailer and use at private facilities, but it must stay in your trailer on public land. It is a good idea to start asking about buying certified hay as soon as you can if you have to stay on state or federal land in those states. Another option is to carry alfalfa cubes or pellets in case you need them but I would recomm end starting your horses on them early to make sure they get accustomed to them. Also, remember if you are at your destination state longer than 30 days you will want to renew your healrh certificate for the trip home. Hope you have a great trip!
Posted 2017-09-14 5:58 PM (#170628 - in reply to #170320) Subject: RE: Tell me more about brand inspections and certified weed free hay please
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
A brand inspection is just a form of ownership. You don't have to have a brand on your horse. Here in Utah, The Brand Inspector will look your horse. Check the database for any stolen/missing horses that might match your horse's description. He takes photos of your horses and prints out a temporary brand inspection sheet and hands it to you. The laminated copy comes in the mail from the State Dept of Ag a few days later. Here it is like $25 per horse for a lifetime brand inspection. So basically it's like a title to a car. Proof of ownership. Utah will also accept your horse's registration papers, Wyoming wants to see a brand inspection. If your state doesn't issue one. Just call ahead and meet the brand inspector at the Wyoming state line and he will issue one.
Certified hay is required on all PUBLIC lands. Here in Utah that is 74% of the state. So pretty much any trail you ride will require that you have certified hay. You are supposed to feed it for 3 days before riding on the trails. Most pellets are considered certrified because the grinding and heating process to make pellets destroys most seeds. Cubes will need to be made from Certified Hay. Since they are not ground as fine. Most of the feed stores in Utah sell certified hay. My favorite local store is $8 a bale, but places CAL Ranch, Tractor Supply, IFA etc will usually be about $12 per bale. Most of those places carry products like the Standlee compressed bales.
Most of the certified hay in Utah is Alfalfa. It's much easier to get certified. RoundUp alfalfa makes it really easy for the farmer. I feed grass hay at home, But I don't mind feeding certified alfalfa when I'm on the trail The horses are working harder and need the extra calories.
Be aware that places like Yellowstone Park will not even let you in the park with Non-Certified hay. So bringing hay from home doesn't work out. You will need to some hay when you get into the area you want to ride. (Pretty much any of the 14 western states require it)
Tell me more about brand inspections and certified weed free hay please
