A current Coggins test is the baseline document
A negative Coggins (for equine infectious anemia) is required to move a horse across most state lines and is standard at any sale. An advert that never mentions it is not automatically a problem, but you should have the certificate in hand — dated within twelve months — before the horse ships.
There is no national passport, so identity is on you
Unlike the UK, there is no universal equine passport. Identity rests on registration papers from the breed association plus a microchip. Check the chip against the papers in person, and confirm the registered owner is the person selling.
A health certificate for interstate travel
Moving a horse between states generally needs a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days. Agree who is arranging and paying for it before you commit, as it is a common source of delay after a sale.
Pre-Purchase Exams and who chooses the vet
As in the UK, you commission the exam and you choose the vet — ideally one with no prior relationship to the seller. US PPEs commonly run $250–$700 for a basic exam, considerably more with radiographs, which are worth it above roughly five figures.
Where the listings actually are
US sales are spread across several marketplaces and a very large number of regional Facebook groups. That fragmentation is why a screening tool has to work from pasted text or a screenshot rather than only from a link.
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Common questions
Can Stirrup read a listing from a US marketplace?
Yes. Stirrup opens HorseQuest and ehorses links directly; for any US marketplace or a Facebook group, paste the advert text or add a screenshot and Stirrup reads that instead.
What is a trial period and should I ask for one?
Trials are more common in some US disciplines than others, and terms vary widely. If one is offered, get the conditions in writing — who insures the horse, who pays for care, and what happens if it is injured.
Do I need a written bill of sale?
Yes. Record the horse's identity including microchip, the price, the date, and anything the seller stated about health or history. It costs nothing and is the only thing you will have if a dispute arises.
More checklists
HorseQuest red flags: what to check before you view
ehorses warning signs: reading a listing before you travel
Horse listing red flags: a buyer's checklist
Buying a horse from a Facebook group: what to check first
Horse sale scams: the checklist before you send any money
Questions to ask a horse seller — and what the answers tell you
When a horse price looks too good to be true
Stirrup is a screening tool, not veterinary advice. Always commission an in-person Pre-Purchase Exam before buying.