What to ask when looking for a transporter:
The number 1 question I get asked is … Price.
Although price is an important consideration it should not be your primary concern when prioritizing the safe and honest delivery of your horse. I’d like to help you look at some other very important aspects and why.
Please toggle each item below to continue reading if would like an explanation as to why these are important questions.
1. How much experience do you have?
Ask about both driving and horse experience. Will they be the one making the haul or a driver. If a driver is then ask about their experience as well. Think various weather conditions, horse handling and knowledge to forsee and prevent or intercept problems.
2. What kind of equipment do you have?
Make sure you’re choosing a transporter with the proper equipment for the job. Trailer size and type vary greatly, everything from fully enclosed and insulated to open air pipe trailers. If you
have a body clipped show horse the most appropriate would be a fully enclosed and insulated trailer. However, if you have horses that requires chute loading a stock trailer is the perfect fit.
3. What are your hauling practices?
Some load your horse and never stop, some consider a 6 hour day a full day. Some do layovers off trailer, some don’t. Per DOT hours of service regulations a solo driver is allowed 11 hours of travel within a 14 hour period.
4. Do you layover?
Make sure to ask if this will be on or off trailer. If they do off trailer layover what kind of accommodations will the horses receive. Are they stopping at fairgrounds/auction yards or barns with stalls. If sending a slick horse or going from a hot to cold climate, ask if locations are heated.
5. Are you a legal carrier?
What does this mean?
A legal carrier must have both DOT and MC numbers, carry commercial insurance, abide by hours of service and have equipment inspected at least every 12 months by a certified inspector, among many other daily tasks. Legality is a heated debate amongst the horse community; there are excellent options that aren’t legal and not so great options that are so make sure you’re still checking reviews! You can verify legalities and insurance coverage at DOT SAFER Web – Company Snapshot.
6. Do you provide hay or does it need to be sent? Will you feed grain/supplements and/or administer oral meds (GrastroGard, Regu-Mate, etc)?
This one is self explanatory but good information to know in advance. If they do provide hay what is the type and quality, does it coincide with your horse’s dietary needs. If grain is allowed, how do they want it packaged?
7. How often will my horse have access to water?
Some hang a bucket in the trailer during transit, some offer at stops, some only give water overnight. What is their protocol if your horse isn’t drinking?
8. How often do you clean your trailer?
Ask about during the trip, as well as picking, rebedding and cleaning protocol between trips.
9. Do you allow and/or carry blankets?
Some absolutely do not allow blankets and others keep extras on hand. Make sure to find out well ahead of time if you’ll need to ship one for the trip or not.
10. How many stops do you make?
This will vary greatly per trip depending on the size of trailer and how many horses are booked.
11. Is the route fairly direct? How much deviation do you anticipate?
The last thing you want is to find out your Montana horse is in California on its way to Virginia when you assumed it was a direct route. Knowing in advance will eliminate stress and confusion later on. With a shared ride expect deviation as there are multiple pick up/deliveries. For a direct route with no deviation ask about charter rates.
12. Are there any hidden fees?
Will there be any additional fees such as credit card processing, tolls, layovers, etc that will be added to the quoted price after the haul has been completed?
13. Updates?
Will they be provided and how often? Will you be receiving them from dispatch or be in direct contact with the driver?
You will find various degrees of service and rates; transport is not one size fits all. Ask the questions to find out who provides the care you’re looking for at a rate you’re comfortable with.
I hope this information arms you with the ability to seek out and book the best company for you and your horse’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s talk import/export
What’s required:
- International heath certificate issued and endorsed within 30 days
- Negative EIA (coggins) test within 6 months of date of travel
- Brand inspection if required by the state the horse is departing from
- Customs brokerage
How can you help your transporter:
- Have the blood drawn for coggins early, coggins results can take up to 10 days
- Complete brokerage forms in their entirety
Is paperwork legally required for transport?
Yes, it is legally required for transport and your horse will not go in my trailer without it.
Health certificate: a veterinary inspection must be completed less than 30 days prior to departure AND cover the duration of travel. Any horse crossing state lines is required by law to have a health certificate/veterinary inspection.
Coggins: a negative coggins must be completed in order for the health certificate to be issued. The coggins is valid for 12 months (6 months for international) from the test date.
Brand inspection/ownership inspection: several western states require horses to have a brand inspection whether your horse has a brand or not. Transporting a horse even across county lines without one carries a hefty fine. Equine brand inspection states are North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Washington.
Please be prepared and have these items ready prior to pick up. Extra brownie points to those that have all items in an envelope with horse/ownership info on the outside.
How does Peaks & Prairies Equine maintain biosecurity?
Each trip the trailer is cleaned and sanitized. The cleaning process consists of removing all shavings and hay (including any remaining in used hay nets), pressure washing inside and out followed by an application of Synbiont (https://www.synbiontagwash.com/…/synbiont-agricultural…) to any surface the horses touch, buckets and snaps are hand scrubbed, bucket straps and hay nets go into the washer.
I carry excess everything… buckets, straps, clips, hay nets. Each horse travels with their hay net and bucket then each go into the “dirty pile” once the horse is delivered.
How do you ensure my horse receives the care and attention they need during transport?
It was brought to my attention that “treat them like my own” is a sought after trait in a transporter. As a horse owner AND transporter I firmly disagree with this statement. Let’s look a bit closer.
My own horses: I know my own horses. I know their tendencies. I know their habits. I know how they eat and drink during travel. I know that one paws and another travels completely stoic. I know that if said stoic horse is now pawing there is something wrong. All because they are mine and I know them!
Transport horses: I have a MINIMAL amount of time to assess their “normal.” I keep a close eye for any changes. I monitor them closely via live video feed as well as stopping to check. It’s my job to catch any abnormalities in behavior, feed intake and water consumption; to spot an issue before it’s an issue.
Now reflect on that. Who would you rather entrust with your best friend, latest investment, future…
I am a professional. I provide the care one expects from a professional. I absolutely do not treat them as my own.
