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Hunting Tips – Rules for Hunting with Horses
If you plan to use horses on your hunting trip, please be aware of the following:
- You must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian 30 days prior to entry into Colorado. Include the physical address of the horse in your state and the location where the horse will be in Colorado.
- A negative equine infectious anemia test is required 12 months prior to entry. Date of the test, results, the lab and the accession number must be listed on the veterinary inspection form. For questions, contact the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office, 1-303-239-4161.
- Horses are required to have a brand inspection when transported over 75 miles totally within the boundaries of Colorado, and every time they leave the state. Contact the Brands Office at 1-303-869-9160.
- Hay, straw and mulch must be certified as “weed free.” Only the following products are allowed on national forests in Colorado: cubed and pelletized hay, steamed grain, treated/steamed mulch from tree fibers. For information, call the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture at 1-303-239-4149; or for a list of regulations and vendors, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/aganimals/import-requirements.
- Don’t tie horses to trees in camp. This causes tree damage and vegetation around the tree to be trampled.
- Highline or picket your stock. If you use a highline, please use tree-saver straps to avoid damaging trees.
- Move horses often to keep them from trampling vegetation or overgrazing an area.
- Keep stock 100 feet or more from lakes, streams, wetlands and trails.
- Restrictions on horse travel in wilderness areas are often greater than in other areas. Be sure to read notices at trailheads. Many wilderness areas carry maximum group size limits, which regulate the number of livestock and people that are allowed to travel together.
Contact the U.S. Forest Service or BLM in the area where you’re hunting for complete information.