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Free Louisiana Horse Bill of Sale

Buying or selling a horse in Louisiana revolves around three documents: a written (and ideally notarized) bill of sale, current negative Coggins papers, and the breed registration transfer if the horse is registered. Louisiana has no state-issued horse title and no mandatory brand inspection at sale, but the Coggins test (within 12 months) is a hard legal requirement for any change of ownership, transport, or public exhibition. Sales tax of 4.45% state plus parish add-on applies to most horse purchases; the agricultural exemption is narrow and only covers horses used in commercial farming. Notarize the bill of sale, attach the Coggins, and start the breed-registry transfer within the registry's deadline.

Louisiana Requirements: Notarization required. Transfer title within 40 days. 5% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Horse Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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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? →

Louisiana Horse Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Louisiana Horse Bill of Sale (Notarized recommended)
Agency
LDAF
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry — Livestock Brand Commission
Primary ID Field
Registration Number
Sales Tax
0.0445%
Title Required
No
Horses do not have state-issued titles in Louisiana. Ownership is established by the bill of sale together with breed registration papers (Jockey Club, AQHA, APHA, etc.) where applicable. While not legally required, a notarized bill of sale is strongly recommended in Louisiana given the state's civil-law tradition and the value of equine transactions. Transfer of registration papers to the buyer should be initiated with the relevant breed registry within their stated window (typically 30 days).
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

4.45% Louisiana state sales tax plus parish add-on (8–11% combined) generally applies to horse sales unless an agricultural exemption applies. Casual private-party sales between non-dealers are sometimes treated as exempt "isolated transactions" but documentation is essential — keep the notarized bill of sale.

Exemption: Horses used primarily for commercial agricultural production (breeding stock, working ranch horses) may qualify for the Louisiana farm/agricultural exemption with a valid R-1007 farm exemption certificate. Pleasure and show horses generally do NOT qualify.

Inspection Requirements

Louisiana requires a current negative Coggins test (Equine Infectious Anemia / EIA) for any horse changing ownership, being transported, or attending any public event — test must be within 12 months. A health certificate (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection / CVI) within 30 days is required for interstate transport into Louisiana. Louisiana does NOT operate a statewide brand inspection program at the point of sale, though brand registration with LDAF Livestock Brand Commission is available for owners who choose to brand.

Louisiana Horse Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Verify a current negative Coggins (within 12 months) — required by Louisiana law for any sale or transport.
  2. For interstate purchases, obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) within 30 days.
  3. Notarize the bill of sale (strongly recommended in Louisiana — civil law tradition).
  4. Record breed, registered name, registration number, color, markings, age, sex, sire, dam.
  5. Complete the breed registry's ownership transfer paperwork (AQHA, Jockey Club, APHA, etc.).
  6. Schedule a pre-purchase veterinary exam (PPE) before signing.
  7. Document any "as-is" status, soundness representations, and disclosed vices in writing.
  8. Keep the notarized bill of sale with sales tax records — LDAF/LDR may request proof.

Common Pitfalls

  • Buying without a current Coggins — illegal to transport in Louisiana and creates EIA exposure risk.
  • Skipping notarization — limits enforceability under Louisiana civil law if disputes arise.
  • Verbal soundness promises — get every "broke to ride," "sound," "no vices" claim in writing.
  • Skipping the pre-purchase exam to save money — colic and lameness issues run into five figures.
  • Forgetting to transfer registration papers within the breed registry deadline (often 30 days).

Pro Tip

Notarize the bill of sale, verify current Coggins, and start the breed-registry transfer right away — Louisiana courts treat notarized horse contracts more seriously than handshake deals.

Louisiana Horse Bill of Sale — FAQs

Does Louisiana require a Coggins test when buying a horse?
Yes — Louisiana law (Title 7, Animal Health regulations) requires a current negative Coggins test (Equine Infectious Anemia / EIA test) within the previous 12 months for any horse that changes ownership, is transported on public roads, or attends any public exhibition, sale, show, or boarding facility. The seller must provide the original Coggins paperwork at the time of sale. Buyers should verify the test is current and that the horse description on the Coggins matches the horse you're buying — a Coggins for a different horse is a major red flag. Coggins testing costs about $25–$50 at most equine vets.
Should the horse bill of sale be notarized in Louisiana?
It is not legally required for horses (only motor vehicles), but it is strongly recommended. Louisiana is a civil-law state where notarized documents carry significantly more evidentiary weight than unnotarized ones in court. For a high-value transaction like a horse purchase, notarization is cheap insurance ($5–$10) and provides strong proof of the agreed price, the horse's identity, and the date of transfer if a dispute arises later about ownership, soundness, or undisclosed vices. Most reputable Louisiana horse dealers and trainers will offer or expect to notarize.
Do I owe sales tax on a horse purchase?
Generally yes — 4.45% Louisiana state sales tax plus your parish add-on (combined 8–11%) applies to horse sales. The Louisiana Department of Revenue treats horses as tangible personal property. The narrow exception is the agricultural exemption: horses used primarily for commercial agricultural production (e.g., breeding stock for a registered breeding operation, working ranch horses on a commercial cattle operation) may qualify with a valid R-1007 farm exemption certificate. Pleasure horses, show horses, racehorses, and lesson horses generally do not qualify. Casual one-time private sales between non-dealers are technically taxable too, though enforcement is uneven.
How do I transfer breed registration papers?
Each breed registry has its own transfer process — for AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association), the seller signs the back of the registration certificate transferring ownership to the buyer, who then submits it to AQHA with the transfer fee (typically $35–$100 depending on timing). The Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds), APHA (Paints), Appaloosa Horse Club, and Arabian Horse Association all have similar processes. Most registries impose a deadline (often 30 days) and charge late fees for delayed transfers. The notarized Louisiana bill of sale is your proof of sale date for registry purposes — staple a copy to your transfer paperwork.
Does Louisiana require brand inspection when selling a horse?
No — Louisiana, unlike Texas or western brand-inspection states, does not operate a mandatory statewide brand inspection program at the point of sale or transport. The Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission (under LDAF) maintains a voluntary brand registry where owners can record brands for their horses and cattle, but there is no requirement to inspect a brand before selling or moving a horse. Identification on the bill of sale should rely on registration number, microchip number (increasingly common), color, markings, and age. If the horse is branded, record the brand description on the bill of sale.

Other Louisiana Templates

Vehicle Bill of SaleCar Bill of SaleUsed Car Bill of SaleMotorcycle Bill of SaleBoat Bill of SaleTrailer Bill of SaleATV Bill of SaleGun / Firearm Bill of SaleRV Bill of SaleGeneral Bill of SaleFree Printable Bill of SaleOdometer Disclosure Bill of SaleAs-Is Bill of SaleGift Bill of Sale

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