Hauling Papers

"Hauling papers" is a document issued to you for each of your horses by your local Brand Inspector from the New Mexico Livestock Board.  Hauling papers for your horse is the equivalent of title and registration for your vehicles and trailers; it shows proof of ownership and is required to be on hand whenever you haul your horse outside the Livestock Board District where you live (see last paragraph below).  The Livestock Board District boundaries do not necessarily follow the County boundaries.  Unless you have a map it may be difficult to ascertain if you are going to be crossing any District boundaries, so it is a good idea to keep your hauling papers in your truck or, if you use more than one truck, in a secure location in your trailer.  Click here to view the New Mexico Livestock Board's District Map.

Most of us with HDR are in District 8 (Albuquerque area, which stretches as far South as Veguita, North just past Placitas, West just past Mesita, and East almost to Clines Corners, including Edgewood, Moriarty, McIntosh and Estancia.  There are livestock inspectors in Estancia and McIntosh to service District 8.  If you live near Santa Fe, including Stanley, you are probably in District 9.  However, if you live in the southern end of District, such as Stanley, you will probably be referred to the District 8 Livestock Inspectors to get your papers.  Click here to view the NM Livestock Board's Inspectors' names and phone numbers by District.

The new hauling papers show 3 color photographs of your horse on them (left side, right side and front) and include descriptions of any brands or identifying marks.  When the inspector comes to create hauling papers for your horse, you will need to show your proof of ownership, which may include a bill of sale and registration papers, if any.  The Livestock inspectors carry digital cameras and printers in their vehicles and print your papers when they come out to inspect.  You can get permanent hauling papers for $30 with pictures, or temporary papers for $15 without pictures, but the temporary papers only give you permission to haul the horse outside your District for a specific time period (for instance, to take the horse outside your district for a sale).  You can also get your horse microchipped (they embed a chip under the skin and it can be scanned at some livestock sales and slaughter facilities and traced back to you).  I don't know much about microchipping, so as your brand inspector if you want to know more.

If you are going to haul your horse across state lines, you will need additional documents, depending on the state or states you will be entering.  Most states require a certificate of negative Coggins test and possibly a health certificate.  Call you veterinarian to get a Coggins test and health certificate.  Sometimes the facility you are taking the horse to will have its own requirements.  Some clinics and shows will require you to have a current health certificate, even if you are not traveling across state lines.  Check with the livestock board in each state you will be entering to find out what paperwork is required.  It is a good idea to also carry copies of your registration papers and bills of sale with you.

Someone I know was recently stopped while hauling one of his race horses in SE New Mexico.  He had hauling papers, but forgot and left them at home.  He had to appear in court and was fined $300 and was sentenced to 1 year of probation!

~Dana