Found a horse in Canada - a couple non-horse questions

[Lusoluv]

I found a horse in Canada, so planning a visit. When I used to ride with a trainer there over 10 years ago, I’d stay/ride for several days. When filling out the declaration forms flying into Canada, “reason for visit” I listed visiting friends. If I recall if you listed anything related to visiting a farm, that could set off a host of questions at customs thinking you’re visiting a commercial agriculture operation, etc. But this time I’ll be flying in early 1 day, leaving the next, so hard to say visiting friends for barely 24 hours. Also, if they check my carry on and see boots and a helmet…well…

I obviously haven’t been to Canada in a long time, so just wondering what others do to avoid any unnecessary hassles. I know others here have horse shopped in Canada.

[Texarkana]

No help because I haven’t visited Canada in a LONG time.

But your guilty conscience is totally overthinking this.

[SillyHorse]

What if you say your reason is “to evaluate a horse to purchase?” It’s straightforward, true, and doesn’t involve commercial agriculture.

[Texarkana]

People can visit friends and pack boots and a helmet. People can visit friends for less than 24 hours.

Nobody is going to care.

[pluvinel]

@Texarkana

But your guilty conscience is totally overthinking this

Um…no. The person just wants to know what to expect. I got busted at the Canadian border when apparently I answered a question incorrectly and was re-routed for further questioning.

I was traveling to Canada for a business meeting and staying overnight. I was dressed professionally with a carry-on bag. I was negotiating a multi-million dollar contract for engineering services with a Canadian engineering company. Flew in to Toronto. When asked purpose of trip, I said “meeting.” Well… Apparently that was the wrong answer. I then got taken aside for further…um, interrogation. About 1 hr later I was released. I had to call my hosts and tell them I was going to be late for meeting.

So, OP has right to want info. Here is the Biosecurity section of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/biosecurity/general-public/border

The other question is re-entering the US and the biosecurity questions you will get when coming back to the US.

I suggest looking at the Canadian and USDA sites or calling them for answers to questions rather than asking us randos here.

Here is the USDA section on biosecurity
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products

aphis.customersupport@usda.gov
844-820-2234
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

I would make sure your boots are impeccably clean and there is not a speck of dirt/sand/soil on them.

[Eclectic_Horseman]

@Lusoluv

I obviously haven’t been to Canada in a long time, so just wondering what others do to avoid any unnecessary hassles.

Make sure you’ve got your passport!

[Texarkana]

@pluvinel

@Texarkana

But your guilty conscience is totally overthinking this

Um…no. The person just wants to know what to expect. I got busted at the Canadian border when apparently I answered a question incorrectly and was re-routed for further questioning.

I was traveling to Canada for a business meeting and staying overnight. I was dressed professionally with a carry-on bag. I was negotiating a multi-million dollar contract for engineering services with a Canadian engineering company. Flew in to Toronto. When asked purpose of trip, I said “meeting.” Well… Apparently that was the wrong answer. I then got taken aside for further…um, interrogation. About 1 hr later I was released. I had to call my hosts and tell them I was going to be late for meeting.

So, OP has right to want info. Here is the Biosecurity section of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/biosecurity/general-public/border

The other question is re-entering the US and the biosecurity questions you will get when coming back to the US.

I suggest looking at the Canadian and USDA sites or calling them for answers to questions rather than asking us randos here.

Here is the USDA section on biosecurity
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products

aphis.customersupport@usda.gov
844-820-2234
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

I would make sure your boots are impeccably clean and there is not a speck of dirt/sand/soil on them.

Fair point. Sorry OP!

[ParadoxFarm]

@pluvinel

The other question is re-entering the US and the biosecurity questions you will get when coming back to the US.

Yes! My DH and I were in Lisbon (not Canada, but…) for one of his continued ed classes abroad. So, basically work-related. When touring around we noticed signs for a GP jumping event. We went. When we were coming home, they asked if we had been to any farms. We said yes. () We were told to go sit at another bench. The tune of Alice’s Restaurant came to my head…“I want you to go and sit down on that bench that says Group W.” It took forever to explain that we were merely spectators at an event where we sat in bleachers and didn’t get close to the stalling area at all. They finally let us go, without a smile. I think they do this on purpose to mess with folks. Well, maybe some of them do.

[Lusoluv]

@Texarkana, you’re probably right! Also, my first trip I was probably in my mid-20s, hadn’t traveled internationally alone, and when I said I visited a farm an inspection of my bag, boots and queries by a customs supervisor made me paranoid

Thanks for the info @pluvinel! I do have my passport - didn’t need that last time I went up north. I feel better knowing I’m not the only one whose heart rate goes up at Customs.

[Pezanos]

If this farm is used to having people come from the US to look at their horses they might have a suggestion about what words to use. I flew back and forth in 24 hours to look at a horse a few years ago and I’m sorry, I can’t remember what I wrote but nobody showed any extraordinary interest in me or my baggage. If I had to guess I probably wrote “business meeting”.

[Demerara_Stables]

I never admit I’ve been at a farm. Too many questions to answer

BUT, I also am very diligent about biosecurity and if I’ve been around other animals (especially livestock/horses), my clothes get washed immediately when I get home and my boots or anything else I wore gets cleaned and doesn’t get worn to my barn for weeks/months (I have spare boots/helmet/gloves for when I ride other places).

[Scribbler]

Anything that might sound like paid work gets drilled at any border other than obviously returning home.

The farms border security both directions are concerned with are food production farms.

Entering for work would be the red flag at the Canadian border.

Visiting a farm would be a biosecurity issue re-entering the USA.

If you say visiting friends to enter Canada they don’t need to know you are only going to be there 24 hours.

I’ve always found it helps to say as little as possible. Don’t lie outright, but don’t volunteer details either.

[Lusoluv]

Exactly, I don’t want to be caught in a lie I may have to take back. It looks bad. However, I think when you fill out the declaration form on the flight to Canada they ask how long you’re staying, don’t they?

[pluvinel]

@Lusoluv

I don’t want to be caught in a lie I may have to take back

No one is saying to lie.

@Lusoluv

when you fill out the declaration form on the flight to Canada they ask how long you’re staying,

So? What is the problem? Answer truthfully. You are visiting friends for a day.

If you get put into the “Group W Bench” because you answer something, then just tell the truth. You might have to surrender your boots, so don’t take anything fancy…just take a pair of old shoes to ride.

I don’t see this as a problem, just be prepared to spend time answering questions…and if it doesn’t happen, then great.

[Jealoushe]

It’s not a big deal about travelling to a farm, they just keep track in case of outbreaks. I always travel to and from the US and advise I’ve been on a farm and have never had any issue.

Just tell them you’re horse shopping, don’t lie or you’ll get dragged into that back room lol

[Lusoluv]

Thanks for all the good advice!! I feel better