Conference noted::equitation

    
    
    	p.s.  And if you've had good experience feel free to share it
    	      here!
    
    	And I ment to tell you that I have quotes coming from:
    
    	BATEMAN
    	Horsing Around
    	AirSeaLand
    	Nationwide
    	Macdonalds

    
    
    	Hi,
    
    	I used to work for Bob Hubbard Horse Transportation here in So.
    California.  I also go to know alot of other long distance hauling
    companies that are based on the West coast.  In fact, I had my horse
    hauled from California to Long Island by one of them.  I have their
    business cards at home and can give you their information if you like.  
    
    	I know when we hauled the horses were loaded in a slant trailer and
    were not tied unless the owner wanted them tied or they were problem
    horses.  The horses were checked every time we stoped at a weigh
    station or for gas.  That was my job and most companies have a
    `technical advisor' so to speak that acts as an A-driver.  Now there
    are the smaller companies that use drivers that are knowledgable about
    horses and all.
    
    	With the company I work for the whole Idea was to get the horses
    there in the fastest safest mannor possible.  If the animals are
    handling the drive ok, we will drive straight through but if one is
    haveing trouble we would stop and layover somewhere.  In these cases
    the owner and the person waiting to recieve the horse would be called
    and told of the situation.  
    
    	Most of the large established companies are very good at what they
    do and as long as your horse is in good health when it leaves, it
    should arrive in the same shape.  It is scarey when you have to ship
    your horse with someone else but these people are profesionals and most
    ship race horses from coast to coast for a living.  Get as much
    information as you can and just choose the one you feel most
    comfortable with.  I know it cost $3000.00 to ship my horse in 1987.  I
    don't even want to guess what it costs now.
    
    	Good luck.
    
    Virginia

    Hi Holly,
    
    I know EXACTLY what you're going through. Five years ago, we had our 3 
    horses shipped from New Hampshire to WA(3,400 miles I think).  We used 
    Michael Bateman who I believe was the first on your list. He was 
    highly recommended by a friend whose opinion we valued. We also 
    contacted Hubbard and others. 
    
    Even though he wasn't the cheapest, we chose Bateman for several reasons: 
    1) He knew more about horses than your average van driver, 2) He 
    recommended the stall and a half arrangement which we preferred because 
    one of our horses scrambles, 3) He stopped more frequently for water breaks 
    etc.
    
    If I remember right, he does NOT stop overnight. He said that most
    horses suffered less stress that way. He also ships them w/o bandages
    or shipping boots because bandages/boots impair circulation.
    
    I do know that our 3 got off his van in excellent condition. They had 
    obviously been well watered and fed. BTW, he had us send a few bales 
    of hay along so that it was the same stuff they had been eating. All 
    that our horses needed when they got off Mike's van was a roll in the 
    dust to scratch their backs!
    
    The friend that had recommended Bateman had also used other vanning
    companies. I can't remember which ones off hand but she said that one
    reason some were cheaper was because they didn't take as good care of
    the horses. She told horror stories about a horse she had shipped to
    Michigan with another shipper. It got off the van nearly dehydrated!
    And then developed shipping fever!
    
    We were very pleased with Bateman's service 5 years ago. If they're
    still as good, I'd use them again.
    
    john

    My horse was shipped from Texas to Mass via BLue Chip Horse trans.
    
    It was a 5th wheel trailer, not a 18 wheeler van type that you
    think they use to transport. An 18 wheeler is subject to be stopped
    at all truck weigh stations, which can cause quite a delay.
    He had a box stall situation and was not restrained in any way, not 
    even a halter, in case it got caught.  He was neatly enclosed in this
    box stall, with hay & water. (No grain was fed during the 2 day trip,
    in case of colic) If I remember, it was 4 hours drive, 1 hour break,
    over the 2 day delivery.  He arrived in excellent condition.  Cost
    was around $1000, and this was 6 yrs ago.  Total mileage was 2500, I
    think....

    Hi Holly,
    
    I shipped a horse last year from N.H. to Florida via 
    C+W transport. Their number is 1-800-344-8817. It cost $550.00.
    It was an air ride tractor trailer with big standing stalls.
    
    . There were 2 drivers, they took turns driving while one slept. 
      Truckers can only put 12 hours on the road a day (i think). 
      They did not stop to rest. But they did stop to water. My
      horse arrived fine although he did not drink much, he is 
      a camel anyway.
    
    . They did not stop-over. They made it to Florida in 30 hours,
      it takes about 24 by car. Don't worry too much about the horse
      not being able to lie down, for that short time, they can snooze
      standing. (but if you can get a transport with a box stall, all the
      better)
    
    . Things to do 1-2 weeks before shipping:
      
      - get shots (ask Vet which shots are needed for area horse is
    		   to, they may not be the same as where she is now)
      _ worming
      - trim/shoeing (take off borium)
      - health cert.
      - coggins
      - set aside a bale of hay for travel
      - have vet tube mineral oil the horse day before shipping, acts 
    	as laxative to an already nervous stomach, reduces colic.
      - add/increase red salt with minerals to diet to induce more thirst.
      - avoid wrapping legs or tail, if wrapped too tight, problems can 
    	occur. Also, you may not have wrapped tight, but just from standing,
        their legs swell into the wraps.
      - If you blanket the horse in cold weather, make sure the driver will
        take it off of the horse as they get towards warmer climate.
      - do not ship in a nylon halter, use leather, you WANT it to break
        in a crisis.
      - ask what the transport has for insurance. Will your horse be 
        covered in full? 
      - when the drivers arrive, ask questions, no question is silly
        where your baby is concerned.
    
    This is my 2 cents and is only one person's opinion.
    Good luck, T
    
               

   Also see topic 397 "Horse Transportation, Commerical Haulers"
   and 548 "Interstate Health Requirements".

    I can personally recommend "Horsin Around". I shipped a mare from PA
    to WA, 2400 miles, two years ago and she arrived in top condition. They
    gave her a two day stopover about halfway. They also had me send her
    without wraps or shoes, and she was not a good loader and hates
    geldings. They made sure she was next to mares and were very patient
    with her. The best part was they only charged $725 to get her there!
    Sandy
    

    
    	Thank you all for your comments and thoughts and experience(s).
    	
    	Michael Bateman comes with rave reviews - in fact he has
    	trucked this mare for me before (Maine to Springfield MA)
    	and she got off the truck as tho she had been out romping
    	in the fields all morning!
    
    	I should be receiving quotes from folks in the next couple
    	of days, and that will also help.  Horsin Around seems to 
    	have the lower rate as well... and they have Albuquerque on their
    	regular route so she would not get stuck in Denver/Co. Springs
    	for 2-4 days prior to delivery here.
    
    	Thanks again - I'll let you know how it goes........!
    
    	h
    
    

In October of '92 I shipped my gelding from Colorado to New Hampshire.
I used Reese's All-State, which is not one of the ones on your list.
All-State is based in Colorado Springs, as is Nationwide.  I was told by 
somebody who worked for both companies that Reese's tended to hire experienced
horse people whereas Nationwide hired anyone who could drive a truck.  Reese's
was about $80 cheaper, too.  It cost about $600.

He left Colorado Friday morning and arrived here late Monday night in good
condition.  Reese's also uses a gooseneck five-horse trailer to avoid
being stopped at weigh stations.  The drivers told me that because my horse
was an easy loader they kept him near the back of the trailer and let him off
to walk around whenever they stopped.  Horses that are difficult to load 
tend to stay on the trailer as much as possible.

I shipped him without any wraps, shoes, or a blanket.  I was told it gets hot 
in there, even in winter.  Without wraps it's easier for the driver to check 
their legs and make sure they're OK.  And my horse is very messy in the trailer,
so I knew his wraps would just end up caked with manure and urine and he'd
be wearing them for four days.

I had to provide a bail of hay and a health certificate and a negative Coggins.
How recent the hc must be depends on what state you are shipping to.  Half the
balance was due in advance, and half on delivery.

I was nervous, as he'd never been on a long haul before, but he arrived just fine.
and was happy to see me (now that's rare!)  What really helped was having someone
in Colorado to look after him and load him, since I had already moved to NH.

Let us know how it goes

    
    	Good news.... "d.v." is home!
    
    	I just wanted to let you know that my filly arrived yesterday
    	afternoon, and she was in (what I would call) excellent condition.
    	She was bright eyed - (opened the top door and she poked her head
    	out, pricked her ears and practically said "we home?").  She
    	walked off, immediately did a DIVE for the green grass and was 
    	content.  She is not totally cool about being stabled alone, but
    	she didn't object all that much either..  I hand walked her
    	several times during the afternoon, and then after dinner let
    	her go loose in the pasture for 20 minutes.  Mostly she wants to
    	eat grass but she didn't hesitate to stand on her hind legs, do
    	her "black stallion" immatation and buck, squeel and romp.....
    
    	Boy!  Is is good to have her home.......
    
    	Thanks to all for support and suggestions.  I really appreciate
    	this notes file...
    
    	smiles - h
    

    GREAT! Glad to hear she made the trip in good shape. Now, you can quit
    worrying(It's 11 o'clock. Do you know where your horse is?) and get some 
    sleep!
    
    BTW, thanks for sharing that. I needed picking up just now.
    John