Federal law requires that all breeding horses over the age of two traveling to the United States from a counttry that is known to have the disease Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) must go to a CEM quarantine facility for rigorous testing and treatment. Geldings are not considered breeding horses.

The Center for Equine Health serves at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s West Coast CEM Quarantine and Treatment Station.

CEM is a venereal disease of horses caused by bacteria and spread through breeding. Ultimately, CEM results in a mare’s inability to conceive. Stallions can carry the bacteria but do not show clinical signs.

For more information on importing horses into the United States, please see page 21 of our publication Global Health and the Sport Horse.

Our CEM quarantine facilities provide separated large shaded turnouts in lush surroundings.

The CEM quarantine facility is located on the grounds of the Center for Equine Health on the UC Davis campus. Each horse is provided with a large stall measuring 12 ft x 20 ft, with free access to an outside run measuring 60 ft x 16 ft. Each horse is kept separated from other animals during the quarantine period. Stalls are heated in the winter.

Horses have free access to a 16 ft x 60 ft outdoor run from a 12 ft x 10 ft indoor heated stall.

Booking Deposit

A $250 booking deposit must be paid within five working days of making the reservation. Otherwise, the reservation will be cancelled and the slot made available to the next person on the list. Deposits can be refunded if the confirmed reservation is cancelled up to five full business days before the scheduled arrival date (if made by credit card, the deposit will be refunded minus 10% processing fee). After the fifth day, the deposit is nonrefundable. The deposit will be applied toward the balance due for services if the horse arrives on schedule. Space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Please call for a reservation at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance.

Quarantine Fees

• $1,955 = Mares (15 days)
• $2,120 = Mares with foals (15 days)
• $4,950 = Stallions (30 days)

A horse WILL NOT be allowed into the facility until a signed contract and the required quarantine fees are in our possession. Payment must be made by check or by credit card. If additional charges are incurred during quarantine due to additional boarding time, horse shoeing, foaling fees, and such, the owner will be notified in advance and payment will be required before the horse can be released from the facility.

Horses that arrive at the UC Davis CEM quarantine facility have been treated and tested prior to departure from their respective countries. They are tested further at the port of entry (usually Los Angeles) for Equine Infectious Anemia, Dourine, Glanders and Equine Piroplasmosis. If results are satisfactory, they are transported under seal to UC Davis. The owner or agent arranges for transportation to and from our facility. Upon arrival, the horse(s) identification is confirmed and a general clinical inspection is performed. The CEM testing and treatment process then commences as soon as possible. A CEM staff person will contact the horse owner (or authorized agent) on the first working day (Monday through Friday) following the horse’s arrival at our facility to coordinate any special care needs.

If your horse requires any other veterinary treatment, you will be notified and a staff member of the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital will provide treatment. Please advise us if you wish to have your horse dewormed, vaccinated or treated for any condition while in quarantine. Charges for any treatment by the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital will be billed separately.

For an additional charge, we offer farrier services, any specialized feed, exercise and grooming. If you require an insurance examination and/or an interstate or international health certificate, please advise us early in the quarantine period so we can make the necessary arrangements.

The photographs below show the newly completed exercise arena at the Center for Equine Health for CEM quarantine horses. The arena is approximately 60 x 120 meters and is surrounded by conifers. Horse owners may, by appointment, schedule time in the arena to exercise their horses.

For an additional charge, horses can be exercised in our multiple-horse Free Flow® Equineciser shown below.