$BillOfSale.app

Free Connecticut Horse Bill of Sale

A Connecticut horse bill of sale is the primary proof of ownership since horses are not titled. The document should include the horse's registered name, breed, color, markings, microchip or tattoo, sire and dam, and Coggins test date. Connecticut requires a negative Coggins (EIA) test within the prior 12 months for sale or transport, and out-of-state horses need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. There is no statewide brand inspection program, but breed-registry transfers (Jockey Club, AQHA, USEF, USHJA) should be filed promptly to keep papers current.

Connecticut Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 6.35% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Horse Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Remove it for €4.99. Already subscribed? Sign in.

Unlike motor vehicles, horses aren't titled by the DMV — making a written bill of sale your primary legal proof of ownership transfer. Our guide explains what a bill of sale must include to be legally binding and enforceable. Read: What Is a Bill of Sale? →

Connecticut Horse Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
CT DoAg
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Primary ID Field
Registration Number
Sales Tax
0.0635%
Title Required
No
Horses are not titled. Ownership is documented through a written bill of sale plus breed registration papers (Jockey Club, AQHA, USEF, etc.) when applicable.
Inspection
Required

Sales Tax Details

CT sales tax of 6.35% generally applies to horse sales, though horses used predominantly for agricultural production may qualify for the farmer tax exemption (Form OR-248/Form REG-8).

Exemption: Qualifying farmers with a CT Farmer Tax Exemption Permit can purchase horses tax-free for breeding/agricultural use. Family transfers may also be exempt.

Inspection Requirements

A negative Coggins test (EIA) within 12 months is required for any horse sold, transported, or shown in Connecticut. Out-of-state horses also need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI/health certificate) within 30 days of import.

Connecticut Horse Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Draft a written bill of sale with horse's registered name, breed, age, color, markings, microchip/tattoo, and sire/dam
  2. Verify a current negative Coggins (EIA) test — required within prior 12 months
  3. For out-of-state purchases, obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days of import
  4. Schedule a pre-purchase veterinary exam (PPE) including flexion tests and radiographs as warranted
  5. Transfer breed-registry papers (Jockey Club, AQHA, USEF, etc.) with the registry
  6. Document any health guarantees, trial periods, or training/board terms in writing
  7. Keep records of CT 6.35% sales tax paid, or file the farmer exemption (CERT-115/farm permit) if eligible

Common Pitfalls

  • Buying without a current negative Coggins — illegal to transport in CT and exposes other horses to EIA
  • Skipping the pre-purchase exam on a high-value or performance horse
  • Failing to transfer breed-registry papers, which can hinder future sale or competition eligibility
  • Assuming horses are tax-exempt — CT 6.35% sales tax applies unless you hold a farmer permit
  • Verbal soundness or health guarantees that are not memorialized in the bill of sale
  • Importing without a CVI and being turned away at boarding facilities or shows

Pro Tip

Document the sale in writing with full identification, attach a current negative Coggins, and transfer registry papers promptly. Pay 6.35% CT sales tax unless you qualify for the farmer exemption.

Connecticut Horse Bill of Sale — FAQs

Do I need a Coggins test to buy or sell a horse in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut requires a current negative Coggins (Equine Infectious Anemia) test within the prior 12 months for any horse that is sold, transported, exhibited, or boarded with other horses. The test is performed by a licensed veterinarian and protects against the spread of EIA, an incurable viral disease. The bill of sale should reference the Coggins test date and accession number, and the seller should provide the original or a certified copy at delivery. Boarding stables and show grounds will request to see it on arrival.
Is sales tax owed on a horse purchase in Connecticut?
Generally yes — Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax applies to horse sales between private parties. The exception is buyers who hold a CT Farmer Tax Exemption Permit and are purchasing the horse for qualifying agricultural use (breeding, draft work, etc.); they file Form CERT-115 to claim exemption. Pleasure horses and most sport horses do not qualify. There is no DMV registration step for horses, so tax is self-reported by the buyer on the CT use tax form (OP-186) if not collected at sale.
How do I transfer registration papers after buying a horse?
Each breed registry has its own transfer process. The Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds), AQHA (Quarter Horses), USEF, USHJA, and breed-specific associations (Arabian, Morgan, etc.) typically require a signed transfer form from the seller along with the original registration papers and a transfer fee. File promptly — late transfers can incur escalating fees, and missing papers complicate future sales or show eligibility. The bill of sale should obligate the seller to deliver papers within a reasonable window (often 30 days).
What should a Connecticut horse bill of sale include?
At minimum: full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller, the horse's registered name and any barn name, breed, sex, age/date of birth, color, distinctive markings, microchip number or tattoo, sire and dam, registration number and registry, Coggins test date, purchase price, payment terms, sale date, and signatures. Add any health guarantees, trial period, return clause, board/training arrangements, and a clear "as-is" or warranty statement. Both parties should sign and keep originals.
Do I need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to bring a horse into CT?
Yes. Horses being imported into Connecticut from another state need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, also called a health certificate) issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 30 days of entry, plus a current negative Coggins test. The CVI lists the horse, identifies destination, and confirms the horse is free of contagious disease. Some states and shows require shorter windows (10 days) for the CVI, so verify your destination's rules. Keep the CVI with the horse during transport.

Other Connecticut Templates

🚘Vehicle Bill of Sale🚗Car Bill of Sale🚙Used Car Bill of Sale🏍️Motorcycle Bill of Sale⛵Boat Bill of Sale🚛Trailer Bill of Sale🏎️ATV Bill of Sale🔫Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale🏕️RV Bill of Sale📄General Bill of Sale🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale🎁Gift Bill of Sale

Horse in Other States

TexasFloridaGeorgiaColoradoOregonUtahArkansasIowaNew YorkOklahoma

How to Fill Out

Step-by-step guide for Connecticut

View Fill-Out Guide →

Go Pro

Clean, watermark-free PDFs.

View Pricing