Author: marywestmanlaw

Mary Westman is an Oklahoma attorney, Morgan horse breeder and registered nurse. Ms. Westman earned a Juris Doctor Degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law graduating with honors as a merit scholar and in the top 5% of her class. She is an active member of the Oklahoma and American Bar Associations, Oklahoma County Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Oklahoma Association for Justice, Oklahoma and American Health Lawyers Association, American Morgan Horse Association, Sooner State Morgan Horse Association and both the Oklahoma and American Horse Councils. A native of West Virginia, she now lives with her husband, David, in Norman, Oklahoma. Together, they also own a horse stable in Noble, Oklahoma. Ms. Westman authors an Oklahoma Equine Law blog, and her areas of practice include General Civil Litigation, General Business and Transactional Issues, Equine Law, Health Care Law, Probate, Wills and Estate Planning.

Vet Health Certificate and current negative Coggins must travel with the Horse! Not in the mail!

July 24, 2018

Interestingly, this issue has come up several times lately… You must have a current negative Coggins physically with you when transporting a horse in Oklahoma.  And if the horse is coming into Oklahoma from out of state, the horse must have with it, not only a current negative Coggins, but also a current veterinary health certificate.  … More Vet Health Certificate and current negative Coggins must travel with the Horse! Not in the mail!

Non-Business Related Transportation of Horses | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

April 15, 2018

Published Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidance provides an exception for the transportation of horses when the transportation in question is not business related (neither for compensation, nor where the driver is engaged in an underlying business related to the move). — Read on http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/non-business-related-transportation-horses

Hauling Horses? Understand how the Federal ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Rule could impact you.

November 30, 2017

In December 2015 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published the final rule on ELDs – electronic logging devices.  In general, these new regulations require commercial carriers to install ELDs to monitor hours of hauling.  The American Horse Council published a press release today, November 30, 2017, pushing for a one year delay in implementation … More Hauling Horses? Understand how the Federal ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Rule could impact you.

National Equine Health Plan Published

November 3, 2017

The “National Equine Health Plan” represents a public and private effort to ensure a vibrant and prosperous equine industry.  This “road map” was developed by state and federal agencies to include the USDA, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the American Horse Council (AHC).  This collaborative’s larger stated mission is to enhance “the … More National Equine Health Plan Published

Reporting Animal Abuse and Immunity from Civil Liability

July 6, 2017

Oklahoma law protects veterinarians from civil liability for reporting suspected animal abuse so long as the report is made in good faith.  More precisely veterinarians are required to report suspected animal abuse to authorities within 24 hours of “of any examination or treatment administered to any animal which the veterinarian reasonably suspects and believes has been abused.” … More Reporting Animal Abuse and Immunity from Civil Liability

Oklahoma Reportable Equine Diseases

June 14, 2017

Oklahoma promulgates a list of equine diseases that must be reported to Oklahoma Animal Industry Services.  This list is periodically updated to reflect emerging health risks for the Oklahoma equine population.   Veterinarians and/or horse owners must report any of these diseases upon a confirmed diagnosis: African Horse Sickness Contagious Equine Metritis Dourine Equine Encephalomyelitis … More Oklahoma Reportable Equine Diseases