Preparing for Hurricane Season: Horse Health Documentation Required for World Equestrian Center – Ocala
Image by Maven Photo & Film, courtesy of WEC-Ocala.
From WEC – Ocala:
Ocala, FL – With hurricane season now underway, horse owners are urged to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and health of their animals before the need arises. As in previous seasons, World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) is prepared to open its doors to evacuees and encourages horse owners to have the necessary health documentation ready before arrival. At WEC, we are committed to ensuring the well-being of your horses and the horses of others. We want every horse to remain safe and healthy.
In the event of an evacuation, horses arriving at WEC must present the following health documents:
- A 14-day statement of health, certificate of veterinary inspection or a health certificate, is required for all horses arriving from instate or outside the state of Florida.
- Coggins within one year.
- Trainer/Owner Health Declaration (New for 2024) – Signed by an owner/trainer confirming that the horse has not experienced a fever exceeding 101.5 degrees or any disease in the 72 hours leading up to its arrival. Additionally, the horse must not have been exposed to or treated for an unexplained fever in the past 28 days and should have tested negative for any disease at least 30 days prior to arrival. If the horse has tested positive within the last six months for any infectious diseases, this information should also be disclosed. See form.
- Vaccine records of Flu/Rhino within the span of six months.
Click here for equine health and safety protocol details.
In the event of an evacuation, horse owners may contact hurricanestalls@wec.net with the number of stalls needed, horse names, and each horse’s required health documents. Stall requests will be approved based on availability, and approval is required before arriving on the property.
