This year Quarter Horse Congress held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in October will be requring a new blood test for entry onto the grounds. A negative test for equine piroplasmosis will be required for all horses attending the 2011 All American Quarter Horse Congress. The horse(s) must be tested negative by the c-ELISA assay for both Theilerta equi and Babesia caballi. All horses entering the Congress shall be accompanied by an official laboratory report or certificate of veterinary inspection indicating the negative piroplasmosis result, laboratory and accession number. Testing shall completed on a blood sample collected within one (1) year prior to entry onto the Congress show grounds and have been conducted by a laboratory certified and approved by the USDA.Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the parasites Babesia caballi and Theilertia equi that affects horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras.The disease is transmitted via tick bites or through mechanical transmission by improperly disinfected needles or surgical instruments. Currently the equine piroplasmosis testing is taking over three weeks before we get results back. You must tell your veterinarian now if you are planning to attended the Quarter Horse Congress. Along with this blood work, a negative Coggins Test (Equine Infectious anemia) no older than a year and a current health certificate will be required. If your horse does not have these test you will not be allowed to enter the grounds. There have been rumors that Equine Herpes (EHV-1) testing is being required. This is false EHV-1 testing will not be required, but you should have your horse vaccinated. Although the vaccine does not protect your horse if it was to get neurologic strain, your horse should be up to date for all vaccines. We have seen two possible cases of West Nile horses only 30 miles from the fairgrounds. Please have your health certificate, Piroplasmosis testing and Coggins test for easy access into Congress as there will be increased trailer inspection this year!