▶ Watch: Horse health declarations (1:06)
Overview
Keep your horse's health records organised and up to date in one place. Horsify helps you track vaccinations, health certificates and insurance documents for event participation. When an event requires a biosecurity declaration, Horsify handles the two-stage process for you — collecting movement details at registration, then emailing you a secure link on the day so you can complete the health check from your phone. Never miss a renewal date or be caught without the right documentation at an event.
The compliance guidance in this article — Hendra vaccination, the usual venue requirements, insurance minimums — reflects Australian practice, because that's where most of these requirements come from. New Zealand riders should follow their own venue's and governing body's requirements; the Horsify features themselves work the same either way.
Who Should Use This Feature
Perfect For
- Riders attending events across Australia
- Horse owners managing multiple horses
- Anyone who needs to track vaccination schedules
- Event participants who want to stay compliant with venue requirements
Prerequisites
- Have at least one horse registered in your Horsify account
- Access to your horse's vaccination records and health certificates
Two Types of Health Declaration
Horsify has two related but distinct health declaration systems:
| Type | When used | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone Health Declaration | Created in your horse's profile at any time | 90 days |
| Event Health & Movement Declaration | Asked for by specific events; completed from an emailed link around the event day | That event |
| Horse Movement Record | Any trip between properties (agistment, lessons, a sale, the vet, moving home); created under the horse's Movements tab | Kept for 2 years from the date of movement |
For trips that aren't to an event, see Horse Movement Records: it records where the horse moved from and to, who received it, and when, and gives you a PDF to carry.
If an event organiser has enabled the biosecurity declaration requirement, you will go through the two-stage event movement declaration described in the Event-Day Health & Movement Declaration section below. The standalone declarations in your horse profile remain useful for general compliance tracking.
One declaration per horse, per event — not per day. A two-day or three-day event does not ask you again each morning. You'll get one email covering all of your horses at that event, and signing it once completes the lot. If you've entered two horses, they're on the same email; if a horse is shared and two riders have entered it, each rider signs their own.
If you've withdrawn or your entry has been cancelled, no email is sent — the organiser sees you marked as having no live entry rather than as outstanding.
What You Can Manage
📋 Health Declarations
Complete pre-event health declarations digitally with your signature. Most Australian events require these declarations to confirm your horse is healthy and fit to compete.
What's Included:
- Digital signature for easy submission
- Valid for 90 days from signing
- Required for most Australian equestrian events
- Quick and easy to complete online
💉 Vaccination Records
Keep track of all your horse's vaccinations in one place. Never miss a booster date again!
Vaccinations You Can Track:
- Hendra Virus ⚠️ Critical - Required by most venues
- Tetanus - Standard requirement for events
- Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
- Equine Influenza
- Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)
- Rotavirus (for breeding mares)
- Salmonella
- Any other custom vaccinations
What You Can Record:
- Vaccination dates and due dates
- Veterinarian details
- Batch numbers
- Upload vaccination certificates
- Set reminders for boosters
📄 Health Certificates
Store and manage veterinary health certificates required for travel, events, and horse movements.
Certificate Types:
- General Health Certificate
- Pre-Purchase Examination
- Travel/Movement Certificate
- Pre-Event Health Check
- Export Certificate
- Breeding Soundness Certificate
Benefits:
- Upload and store certificate documents
- Track expiry dates
- Get reminders before certificates expire
- Have everything ready when you need it
🛡️ Insurance Documents
Keep your insurance certificates organized and current.
Coverage Types You Can Track:
- Public Liability ⚠️ Essential - Most venues require minimum $20M coverage
- Mortality Insurance
- Personal Accident (rider coverage)
- Loss of Use
- Veterinary/Medical
- Theft and Straying
- Transit Coverage
- Trailer/Equipment
Features:
- Track policy dates and coverage amounts
- Upload Certificate of Currency documents
- Get 30-day expiry warnings
- Quick access when venues request proof of insurance
⏰ Expiry Alerts
The Expiry Alerts tab on a horse's health page lists everything falling due in the next 30 days, so you can see renewals coming before they bite.
What Gets Monitored:
- Vaccination booster dates
- Health certificate expiry
- Insurance policy renewals
A health declaration's validity isn't on this tab: each declaration on the Health Declarations tab shows its own Signed, valid until date, or Expired.
These alerts are shown in the app, not sent to you. Horsify does not email or text you when a certificate, insurance policy or declaration is about to expire — check the Expiry Alerts tab yourself. If you want to be told, add the item as a reminder in the Horse Care Assistant, which does send nudges by email and text.
✅ Checking a horse against event requirements
Work through the Expiry Alerts and Vaccinations tabs before you enter, and check what the event's own schedule asks for.
Nothing checks this for you at registration. Horsify does not block or warn you at entry because a vaccination or certificate has lapsed — meeting the event's health requirements is yours to confirm. What an organiser can require is the event health & movement declaration described below, which you sign for that event.
How to Access Your Horse Health Records
- Log into your Horsify account as a rider
- Navigate to "My Horses" from the main menu
- Click "Health & care" on the horse you want to manage
- The page opens with a row of tabs: History, Feed & Diet, Vaccinations, Vitals, Wounds, Health Declarations, Movement Records, Certificates, Insurance and Expiry Alerts (on a phone, Health Declarations is the Health tab and Movement Records is Movements)
- Every health-related record for that horse sits under one of them
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Add a Vaccination Record
Keep your horse's vaccination history up to date:
- Go to your horse's health records page
- Click "Add Vaccination"
- Select the vaccination type (e.g., Hendra Virus, Tetanus)
- Enter the vaccination date
- Add the booster/expiry date
- Enter your veterinarian's details
- Optionally upload the vaccination certificate
- Click "Save"
💡 Pro Tip: Take a photo of vaccination certificates with your phone and upload them immediately while you're still at the vet. This way you'll never lose important documents!
Step 2: Complete a Health Declaration
A standalone health declaration is your signed statement about your horse's health today. It's valid for 90 days from the day you sign it.
- Go to My Horses and tap Health & care on the horse's card
- Choose the Health Declarations tab (on a phone it's the Health tab)
- Tap New Declaration
- Under Confirm today's health status, tick each statement you can confidently confirm for this horse today:
- Free from infectious disease
- No contact with infected animals (in the last 14 days)
- Fit to travel and compete
- Vaccinations up to date
- Choose the state (or region) where your horse is currently based
- Optionally add the Last Vet Inspection date, Veterinarian Name, Vet Registration Number and any Additional Notes
- Tap Create Declaration. This saves it as a draft, and the signing step opens straight away
- Check the summary of what you're declaring, then type your name in Your full name. Typing your full name is your signature: it confirms the declaration is true and correct
- Tap Sign & submit
The declaration now shows Signed, valid until its expiry date, along with who signed it and when. It's valid for 90 days.
Not ready to sign yet? Close the signing step. The declaration stays on the Health Declarations tab marked Draft, not signed yet, and you can tap Sign & submit on it whenever you're ready. A draft isn't a valid declaration until it's signed.
Left a statement unticked? You can still sign, because you're declaring your horse's actual state. The signing step lists any statement you haven't confirmed so you can see exactly what you're signing, and the declaration shows it with a cross. If it was a mistake, cancel and use Edit first.
Need to change a signed declaration? Tap Edit. Editing a signed declaration means signing it again: saving your changes turns it back into a draft, and it isn't valid until you Sign & submit it again.
Once a declaration's 90 days are up, it shows Expired. Create a new one to replace it.
⚠️ Important: Health declarations are legally binding documents. Always provide accurate information about your horse's health status.
Step 3: Add Insurance Documents
Keep your insurance information organized:
- Go to your horse's health records
- Click "Add Insurance"
- Select coverage type (e.g., Public Liability)
- Enter your insurance provider name
- Add policy number and dates
- Enter coverage amount (e.g., $20,000,000 for public liability)
- Upload your Certificate of Currency
- Click "Save"
💡 Pro Tip: Most Australian venues require public liability insurance with a minimum of $20 million coverage. Check your event's specific requirements before attending.
Step 4: Upload Health Certificates
Store veterinary certificates for easy access:
- Navigate to your horse's health records
- Click "Add Certificate"
- Choose certificate type (e.g., General Health Certificate, Travel Certificate)
- Enter issue date and expiry date (if applicable)
- Add veterinarian details
- Upload the certificate document (PDF or image)
- Click "Save"
Step 5: Check your horse against the event's requirements
There is no automatic compliance check at registration, so do this yourself before you enter:
- Read what the event's schedule asks for — Hendra, tetanus, a health declaration, insurance
- Open the horse's Health & care page and check the Expiry Alerts tab for anything lapsing
- Check the Vaccinations tab for the boosters the event names
- Renew or update anything missing, and upload the certificate
- If the organiser has switched on the event health & movement declaration, watch for the email and sign it
Doing this before you travel is what saves you being turned away at check-in.
Australian Compliance Essentials
The following applies to Australian events and venues. If you compete in New Zealand, check your venue's own requirements — Hendra virus, in particular, does not occur there.
🔴 Critical Requirements for Most Events
1. Hendra Virus Vaccination
Why It's Required: Hendra virus is a serious disease that can affect both horses and humans. Most Australian venues won't allow horses without current Hendra vaccination.
Requirements:
- Administered by a registered veterinarian
- Annual booster required
- Certificate must be current on event date
- Some venues may require proof at entry
💡 Tip: Book your Hendra vaccination well in advance during peak competition season as vets can be busy.
2. Tetanus Vaccination
Why It's Required: Protects your horse from tetanus infection, especially important when traveling and at events with many horses.
Requirements:
- Usually required every 2-5 years depending on vaccine
- Must be current for event participation
- Administered by registered veterinarian
3. Public Liability Insurance
Why It's Required: Protects you, the venue, and event organizers if your horse causes injury or damage.
Requirements:
- Minimum $20 million coverage (check specific event requirements)
- Must cover event dates
- Certificate of Currency required
- May need to add venue/organizer as "additional insured"
💡 Tip: Many equestrian associations offer public liability insurance as part of membership. Check before purchasing separately!
4. Health Declaration
Why It's Required: Ensures horses at events are healthy and reduces disease spread.
Requirements:
- Valid for 90 days from signing
- Must declare horse free from infectious disease
- No contact with sick horses in last 14 days
- Horse is fit to travel and compete
- Digitally signed by owner/representative
Managing Expiring Documents
Understanding Expiry Alerts
Horsify tracks every document's expiry date and lists anything falling due in the next 30 days on the horse's Expiry Alerts tab. That tab is where the alerts live — nothing is emailed or texted to you, and the badge on the health page counts only event declarations awaiting your signature, not expiring documents.
To be nudged about a renewal, add it as a reminder in the Horse Care Assistant, which sends email and text reminders and appears under Horse Care Reminders on your rider dashboard.
Viewing Expiring Items
To see what needs renewal:
- Go to My Horses and open the horse's Health & care page
- Choose the Expiry Alerts tab
- Anything falling due in the next 30 days is listed, grouped by type
- Take action on each item
Items Tracked:
- 💉 Vaccination booster dates
- 📄 Health certificate expiry
- 🛡️ Insurance policy renewals
Health declarations show their own validity (Signed, valid until or Expired) on the Health Declarations tab.
Renewing Documents
When you receive an expiry alert:
For Vaccinations:
- Contact your veterinarian to book an appointment
- After vaccination, update the record in Horsify
- Upload the new certificate
- The alert will disappear
For Insurance:
- Contact your insurance provider
- Renew your policy
- Update the policy end date in Horsify
- Upload new Certificate of Currency
For Health Declarations:
- Create a new health declaration (see Step 2 above) and Sign & submit it
- The new one's 90-day validity starts from when you sign it
- Delete the old one if you no longer want it listed
For Health Certificates:
- Visit your veterinarian for new examination
- Upload new certificate to Horsify
- Update expiry date
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: Do I need to enter health records for each of my horses?
A: Yes, each horse needs its own health records. This ensures accurate tracking and compliance for each individual animal.
Q: Can I edit records after I've saved them?
A: Yes. You can edit vaccination records, insurance details and health certificates at any time. You can edit a health declaration too, but editing a signed one turns it back into a draft, so you'll need to Sign & submit it again before it's valid.
Q: What if I don't have all the documents right now?
A: That's okay! Add what you have now and update records as you receive new documents. Horsify will remind you when items are about to expire.
Q: How far back should I record vaccination history?
A: We recommend recording all current vaccinations (those not yet expired). Historical records are helpful but not essential unless specifically required by an event.
Vaccination Questions
Q: My horse has been vaccinated but I don't have the certificate. What should I do?
A: Contact your veterinarian to request a copy of the certificate. Most vets keep digital records and can email you a certificate.
Q: How often does my horse need Hendra vaccination?
A: Hendra vaccination requires an annual booster. Check with your veterinarian for the exact booster schedule based on your horse's vaccination history.
Q: What if I use multiple veterinarians?
A: No problem! Each vaccination record can have different veterinarian details. Just enter the information for whoever administered each specific vaccination.
Q: Can I track vaccinations that aren't on the list?
A: Yes! Select "Custom/Other" as the vaccination type and enter the specific vaccine name in the notes field.
Health Declaration Questions
Q: How long is a health declaration valid?
A: Health declarations are valid for 90 days from the date you sign them. A declaration you've created but not signed yet is only a draft and isn't valid. After 90 days it shows Expired, and you'll need to complete a new declaration.
Q: I created a declaration but it still says "Draft, not signed yet". What do I do?
A: Tap Sign & submit on the declaration, type your full name and tap Sign & submit again. It's then valid for 90 days.
Q: Can I use one health declaration for multiple events?
A: Yes! As long as your health declaration is less than 90 days old, you can use it for any number of events during that period.
Q: What if my horse's health status changes after I've signed a declaration?
A: If your horse becomes sick or is exposed to infectious disease, the declaration is no longer valid. You should notify any events you're registered for and complete a new declaration once your horse is healthy again.
Q: Do I need a separate declaration for each horse?
A: Yes, each horse requires its own health declaration as it's specific to that individual animal's health status.
Insurance Questions
Q: What's the difference between public liability and personal accident insurance?
A: Public liability covers damage or injury your horse causes to others. Personal accident insurance covers injuries to you as the rider. Most events require public liability; personal accident is optional but recommended.
Q: My insurance covers all my horses. Do I need to enter it separately for each one?
A: If your policy covers multiple horses with one policy number, you can enter the same policy details for each horse in Horsify. This helps track compliance requirements per horse.
Q: What does "additional insured" mean?
A: Some venues or event organizers require being listed on your insurance policy as an "additional insured party." This means your policy extends to cover them too. Check with your insurance provider about adding parties to your policy.
Q: Where can I get public liability insurance?
A: Many options exist including:
- Equestrian Australia membership (includes insurance)
- Pony Club membership (includes insurance)
- Private insurance providers specializing in equestrian coverage
- General sports and recreation insurance providers
Compliance & Events
Q: What happens if I try to register for an event and my horse isn't compliant?
A: Horsify doesn't check this at entry, so you can register either way. Check the event's requirements against your horse's records yourself (see Step 5 above) and sort out anything missing before the event date, or you risk being turned away at the gate.
Q: Do all events have the same requirements?
A: No, requirements vary by event type, venue, and state. Always check the specific event's requirements. Horsify shows you what's commonly required and will flag event-specific requirements when available.
Q: Can events see my health records?
A: Event organizers can only see health information that's relevant to their event (e.g., if you're compliant with their requirements). Your detailed health records remain private unless you choose to share them.
🐎 Event-Day Health & Movement Declaration
Some events require a full Horse Health and Movement Declaration — a biosecurity form that collects where your horse is travelling from and to, and a health check, close to the day of the event.
Why This Is Required
Many Australian equestrian venues and events require movement declarations to:
- Track where horses are travelling from and to
- Ensure horses on-site are healthy on the day
- Create an audit trail for biosecurity authorities
- Reduce the risk of disease spread at equestrian gatherings
How It Works: Two Stages
Stage 1: Entering the event
Nothing extra is asked on the entry form. If the event needs a declaration, Horsify sets one up for the horses you've entered, and its status shows as Details missing until you complete the form in Stage 2.
What the form will ask for, so you can have it ready:
| Section | What you provide |
|---|---|
| Horses covered | The horses on the declaration (you can correct them). If you have a Horsify account, each horse's breed, colour, sex, age and microchip come from its horse profile |
| Movement details | Where the horse is travelling from (taken from the address on your profile, or from your last signed declaration, which you can change), the origin PIC (offered from your records where Horsify has one), where it goes after the event, transport or vehicle registration, the purpose of the movement and recent movement history |
| Biosecurity compliance | Your horse's Hendra vaccination status, and whether any required tick treatment has been done (with the date and product) |
| Person in charge on site | Who is responsible for the horses at the event: name, phone and email |
| Health check and signature | Eight health questions, and your full legal name as your signature (see Stage 2) |
💡 Tip: Make sure the address on your Horsify profile is where your horse is kept — the form starts from it.
Stage 2: Completing the Day-of-Event Health Check
On the morning of the event (or just before, depending on when the organiser schedules it), you will receive an email with a secure link to your health declaration form.
Subject line: Something like "Horse Health Declaration Required – [Event Name]"
Opening Your Declaration
- Open the email on your phone or computer
- Click the link in the email
- The form opens with your horses listed and your movement details started from your profile address
- The link stays valid until 48 hours after the event ends, so you have plenty of time to complete it
No Horsify account required to complete the form. The link is secure and anyone who receives the email can complete the declaration.
What Horsify Fills In for You
If your declaration is linked to your Horsify account, the form starts from what your own records already say, so you only type what Horsify doesn't know:
- Horse details: if a horse on the declaration is linked to one of your horse profiles, its breed, colour, sex, age and microchip number are copied from that profile. Only blank fields are filled; anything already on the declaration is kept.
- Typed horse names: if the declaration only has a typed name, and exactly one of your horses has that stable name or show name, the declaration is linked to that horse and its details are filled in.
- No horse yet: some events, such as clinics, don't ask for a horse when you enter. The form then opens the horse picker straight away so you can choose from your horses. If you have exactly one horse, it is picked for you, and you can still change it. You can't sign while any horse on the declaration is unnamed.
- Changing horses: if you pick a different horse, its profile replaces the previous horse's details, so the old horse's breed or microchip is never left behind.
- Origin PIC: if the form has no PIC, Horsify offers one. It uses the PIC from your most recently signed declaration at another event first, then the PIC on your rider profile, then your horses' PIC (only when every horse on the declaration has the same one).
- Origin property: if the form has no property details at all, Horsify offers the property from your most recently signed declaration at another event.
The PIC and property are only offered. Check them, change them if your horse is coming from somewhere else, and they are saved when you sign.
Completing as a guest? Nothing is filled in from profiles if the declaration isn't linked to a Horsify account, so you'll enter the details yourself.
💡 Tip: Keep your horse profiles' breed, colour, sex, date of birth and microchip number up to date. They are what your declarations start from.
Reviewing Movement Details
Your movement details start from the address on your profile (or whatever you saved last time). Tap "Edit" to fill in or change them — for example if your horse is coming from a different property — and save.
Answering the Health Questions
You must answer 8 health questions honestly:
| # | Question | Expected answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | My horse is in good health today | ✅ Yes |
| 2 | My horse is eating and drinking normally | ✅ Yes |
| 3 | My horse has shown signs of illness in the last 72 hours | ❌ No |
| 4 | My horse has or has had a fever, nasal discharge, coughing, or other symptoms | ❌ No |
| 5 | I am aware of any disease exposure in the last 14 days | ❌ No |
| 6 | I agree NOT to bring my horse if it becomes unwell before the event | ✅ Yes |
| 7 | I agree to notify the event organiser immediately if my horse shows signs of illness during the event | ✅ Yes |
| 8 | I agree to follow all biosecurity directions from event officials | ✅ Yes |
If you answer "Yes" to a health concern question (questions 3, 4, or 5), you will be prompted to describe the concern in a text box. The declaration will be flagged for review by the event biosecurity officer. Do not travel to the event until you have spoken with the organiser.
Signing Digitally
At the bottom of the form, type your full legal name exactly as it appears on your ID. This serves as your digital signature and confirms the declaration is true and correct.
Submitting
Tap "Submit Health Declaration". You will see one of two results:
- ✅ "Declaration Submitted Successfully" — You may attend the event.
- ⚠️ "Declaration Submitted – Please Contact the Organiser" — A health concern was flagged. Contact the event biosecurity officer before travelling.
What If I Don't Receive the Email?
- Check your spam/junk folder — Automated emails sometimes land there
- Allow a few hours — Emails go out on a schedule, timed by the organiser (for example the morning of the event or the day before), not the moment you enter
- Ask the organiser to resend — Event organisers can manually resend the email from their declarations dashboard
- Ask for a direct link — Organisers can copy and share your personal declaration link directly (e.g., via SMS)
Status Summary
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Details missing | Your movement details haven't been filled in yet — you'll do that on the emailed form |
| Movement record saved | You've saved your movement details on the form but haven't submitted the declaration yet |
| Declaration pending | The declaration email is scheduled but hasn't been sent yet |
| Email Sent | You've received the health declaration email |
| Completed | Declaration signed and submitted ✅ |
| Needs Re-Signing | Movement details were updated — please re-submit |
| Flagged for Review | A health concern was indicated — contact the organiser |
| Cancelled | Registration cancelled |
Tips for Success
🎯 Best Practices
-
Stay Organized
- Add vaccination records immediately after vet visits
- Take photos of certificates right away
- Set calendar reminders in addition to Horsify alerts
-
Plan Ahead
- Book vet appointments well before peak season
- Renew insurance at least 2 weeks before expiry
- Complete health declarations 1-2 weeks before events
-
Keep Certificates Handy
- Upload all certificates to Horsify
- Also keep physical copies in your truck/trailer
- Consider laminating frequently-used certificates
-
Check Before You Register
- Check your horse's records against the event's requirements before you enter
- This prevents last-minute scrambling
- Gives you time to schedule appointments if needed
-
Annual Review
- Set an annual reminder to review all health records
- Update any changes in insurance or veterinarians
- Confirm all information is accurate and current
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Waiting Until the Last Minute
- Veterinarians are busy during peak season
- Some vaccinations take time to become effective
- Insurance processing can take several days
-
Forgetting to Upload Certificates
- Having the vaccination without the certificate doesn't help
- Events may not accept your word alone
- Upload photos immediately after receiving documents
-
Not Reading Event Requirements
- Each event may have specific requirements
- Some require additional health checks
- Review requirements before registering
-
Letting Insurance Lapse
- Many venues won't allow entry without current insurance
- Getting emergency insurance is expensive
- Gaps in coverage can affect claims
Need Help?
Getting Support
For Technical Issues:
- Contact Horsify support via the in-app chat
- Email: support@horsify.com.au
- Help Center: https://kb.horsify.com.au/help
For Health/Veterinary Questions:
- Consult your veterinarian
- Contact relevant state equestrian federation
- Check with event organizers for specific requirements
For Insurance Questions:
- Contact your insurance provider
- Check Equestrian Australia or Pony Club membership benefits
- Speak with other riders for recommendations
Useful Resources
Australian Equestrian Organizations:
- Equestrian Australia: https://www.equestrian.org.au/
- Pony Club Australia: https://ponyclub.org.au/
- Your state equestrian federation
Health Information:
- Hendra Virus Information: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/service-industries-professionals/service-industries/veterinary-surgeons/guidelines-hendra
- Equine Veterinary Australia: https://www.ava.com.au/
Insurance Providers:
- Check with your equestrian association
- Search for specialized equine insurance providers
- Ask other riders for recommendations
Related Features:
- Family Event Registration - Entering an event for yourself and your dependants
- My Running Order - Your times on the day
- Organiser: Managing Health Declarations - For event organisers
This guide is designed to help riders keep their horses' health records organized and stay compliant with Australian event requirements. Always consult with your veterinarian and check specific event requirements for the most current information.\n\n---\n\nSource: wiki/features/HORSE_HEALTH_DECLARATIONS.md \nLast synced: 2026-10-06 06:12:12 UTC