It is good practice to do E.V.A, E.I.A and C.E.M. tests on ALL the mares on your farm as early as possible after 1st January 2025.

Please be aware that as Artervac or an alternative vaccine for stallions will not be available in time for the 2025 Breeding Season the protocol for testing mares for EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS introduced last year will remain in force and are set out below:

1. All mares that have NOT been outside the United Kingdom and Ireland within the last 12 months will require two negative blood tests. The first should be taken as soon as possible after 1st January 2025. A second test should be taken close to and no more than 30 days before the first time of covering. Further blood tests may be required to ensure that the mare is tested within 30 days of each subsequent covering.
Seropositive mares will require two blood tests a minimum of 14 days apart to be taken in early January, these should demonstrate a stable or declining titre. Further tests within 30 days of mating can be compared with these.

2. All mares originating from outside the UK and Ireland will require two negative blood tests, the first to be taken within a 28-day period prior to arrival in the UK, with the second to be taken at the boarding stud, a minimum of 14 days after arrival before the mare is released from isolation. The mare can then be covered providing that mating takes place within 30 days of this test. Otherwise, further tests will be required so that negative results are obtained within 30 days of this and any subsequent coverings.
Seropositive mares will require two blood tests to be taken initially in the UK. These should be taken a minimum of 14 days apart and demonstrate a stable or declining titre. Further tests within 30 days of mating can be compared with these.

Please don’t get caught out! If your mare has not been correctly tested, she will not be able to be covered.

Examples of when breeders were caught out last year included:

1. The E.V.A. test will be over 30 days when a mare is due her 16-day pregnancy scan, she is not in foal and has come into season quickly and needs to be covered 24/48 hrs later allowing no time for a new E.V.A. to be taken therefore she must miss that cycle.

2. A decision to rest a mare for the season has been made but then the breeder has changed their mind, and the mare comes into season allowing for only one E.V.A. to be taken but not the second E.V.A. therefore it is recommended to take blood and swab results from all your mares as soon as possible after 1st January 2025.

It is of the upmost importance that mares should be kept separate from all non-thoroughbreds with the exception of foster mares providing that they have been fully tested as per these Regulations. If this is not the case, it should be reported to the Stallion Stud well in advance of covering.