English
![Long Distance Travel with Horses: [Long Haul Trailering Guide]](https://madbarn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Long-Haul-Trailering-a-Horse.jpg)
Shipping horses over long distances can be a daunting but rewarding undertaking. Many breeders, trainers, exporters and equestrians eventually find themselves needing to transport a horse over a long distance via air or land travel.
Even settled horse owners may need to ship their horses long-haul as a result of a relocation. Knowing how to prepare your horse for long-haul shipping can save you some stress and protect the health and well-being of your horse.
For the purposes of this guide, long-haul travel is defined as transporting your horse to a new location for more than 12 hours in a trailer or any duration of travel on an airplane.
During these extended trips, horses must stand for long hours in a small moving box that shifts constantly, tolerate temperature and weather changes, and adapt to changes in their routine and social grouping.
These kinds of events are major stressors to horses, both physically and psychologically. It is up to you as their caregiver to prepare your horse and plan their trip to ensure an easy transition to their new environment.
Shipping Horses Long Distances
Long-distance travel with a horse may involve land, air or water. The most common shipping method is road transport in a trailer towed by a vehicle.
However, every year an estimated 30,000 horses are flown around the world in specially designed equine airplanes. [22] Horses may also be transported on trains or ships, but these methods are not as common.
The shipping method you choose will depend on the following factors:
- Distance
- Budget
- Suitability of the horse for travel
- Availability and timeline
Distance
The first factor to consider is where and how far your horse needs to travel. Does some or all of the journey involve transportation over large bodies of water or challenging terrain?
Will shipping the horse over land extend the journey compared to air travel? Are direct flights possible, or is your destination far away from suitable airports?
If you are importing a horse from overseas (i.e. travelling between Europe and North America), flying is your only option. However, if you are travelling within the continent, you may have the option of shipping over land or by air.
Some distances are too long or challenging to traverse with a vehicle and trailer. In these circumstances, flying may be your only option.
Image: Horses prepare for loading onto a specialized equine aircraft.
Budget
Which form of transportation is within your budget? If trailering your horse, the cost of the trip will depend on the distance to be travelled, the number of horses being transported, and current fuel prices.
Shipping companies also adjust their prices to reflect insurance costs, wear and tear to the vehicle and trailer, toll costs incurred along the route and the driver’s total travel time.
If flying your horse, expect to pay higher prices since air travel is more expensive and more people are required to make the trip. Flying with a horse requires a pilot, a co-pilot, one or more flight grooms to care for horses, and other staff involved in organizing the flight.
These costs can add up quickly but may be made more economical by putting as many horses on the plane as possible. Some cargo planes can hold between 15 – 20 horses, while other specialized aircraft can hold up to 87 horses. Splitting costs is at the discretion of the shipper, but most companies will try to fill their capacity to reduce costs for the client.
Airplane tickets for horses cost anywhere between $5,000 to $30,000 for flights within the United States. If you need a private charter, flights can cost upwards of $100,000.
Extra Costs
Depending on local and international guidelines, you may also need to factor in quarantine costs at your horse’s destination. Shipped horses may be quarantined in a biosecurity facility to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Horses may also need veterinary examinations or blood tests to ensure they do not have any communicable diseases before being released from quarantine.
The costs of quarantine and required veterinary exams are the responsibility of the horse owner. If you are flying with your horse, expect to spend $2,000 to $10,000 on quarantine expenses.
Also, prepare an emergency fund in case your horse’s trip is disrupted, or they need unexpected veterinary care while being shipped.
Suitability of Horse for Travel
When deciding how to transport your horse, consider your horse’s general demeanour and past experiences with travel. Also, consider their overall health, body condition and any special care needs.
Does trailering tend to cause your horse a lot of stress? Are they generally tolerant of loud noises and strange people, or do they have an anxious temperament?
Considerations for Air Travel
Both travel by air and trailering over land can be stressful for horses. But some horses benefit from shorter-duration trips and may be better off being flown to their destination.
Keep in mind that horses are herd-based prey animals and are naturally wary of new surroundings and changes in routine. Travelling by air involves bringing your horse to new, noisy facilities away from their normal social grouping and with unfamiliar human handlers.
Depending on governmental regulations, your horse may have to remain in quarantine with no turnout for several days upon arrival, undergoing blood tests to ensure they do not have any communicable diseases.
Staff working at these facilities are knowledgeable about horse care, but they are new people that your horse does not know. Some horses may be better off travelling by land to avoid the additional stress.
Considerations for Land Travel
Long-duration land travel comes with its own set of risks and complications. Horses travelling by trailer can spend more time in a small space without freedom of movement, increasing the risk of colic. [1]
The movement of a trailer also requires a great amount of effort for a horse to remain balanced and standing. Studies show that horses standing in a moving trailer have an increased heart rate, as well as stronger and more frequent muscle contractions. [2]
The energy that a horse expends to keep their balance in a trailer means they are spending more calories over the duration of the trip. At the same time, horses usually reduce their hay intake on long trailer rides.
The increased calorie expenditure and decreased caloric intake can lead to significant weight loss in some horses during long trailer rides. [3]
Although horses also experience weight loss on flights, the duration of flights is often shorter, limiting the total effect on body composition. [3]
Senior Horses
Older horses that need to lie down often may struggle with long trailer rides. Most horses will not feel safe enough to lie down in a trailer, so may try to remain standing longer than they are used to.
Limiting their time lying down can cause soreness and muscle stiffness, as well as other signs of sleep deprivation. If your senior horse would be better suited to a shorter trip, flying may be a better choice.
Availability and Timeline
Regardless of your preferred shipping method, you may not have all options available to you based on your timeline and the availability of shippers.
Horses being transported for breeding, sales, and relocation may have a more flexible timeline for arriving at their destination than high-level equestrians travelling for competition.
Some equine transport flights occur on a regular schedule between major airports in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Flights to other smaller airports may be privately chartered or coordinated based on demand, such as before a big competition or event.
If a flight is not available on your required timeline, a by-land shipper may be the only option. Not only are there more ground transportation services available but also it is cheaper to privately charter a trailer if there are no previously scheduled trips that match your itinerary.
To reduce costs and maximize their income, long-distance shippers will wait to fill as many spots on their vehicle as possible. You may have to delay your departure until other owners are ready to ship their horses along the same route or pay a higher price for expedited travel.
Consider whether you are willing and able to wait or need to pay a higher premium for a convenient date.
Selecting a Shipper
Whether you are shipping your horse via land transport or by air, take the time to pick a preferred shipper. Different shipping companies offer different services and may have varying protocols regarding rest breaks, feed provision and equipment used.
Talk to several potential shippers and discuss your horse’s needs to help remove stress for both you and your horse.
Stopping For Breaks
If you decide to ship your horse via land transport (in a trailer attached to a truck or other large vehicle), ask your shipper how frequently they stop for breaks, how long those breaks are and whether horses have opportunities to get off the trailer.
Feed and Water Breaks
Ask your shipper how often they stop to feed and water the horses. When trailering a horse, your shipper should stop and park the trailer every four hours to allow horses to urinate and drink.
Horses urinate approximately six times a day. To urinate, they must assume a “squatting” position that may be challenging to balance in a moving trailer.
Horses may retain their urine if they feel they cannot safely squat to pee, introducing the risk of kidney issues and pain from a distended bladder. [5][6]
Overnight Breaks
Depending on the shipper, the distance of travel, and availability, some shippers will stop overnight at trusted facilities to give horses and drivers respite on long hauls.
Overnight breaks are much-needed by some horses. Shipping is physically exhausting, and if your horse needs opportunities to lie down, they may do better with an overnight stay.
However, overnight stays may not be an option if you are on a tight schedule. Stopping overnight only extends the duration of the trip and exposes your horse to new, unfamiliar environments.
Loading & Unloading
Unloading the horse and loading them back onto the trailer may not be an option if the horse does not load well. Loading stress can increase cortisol levels and leave horses more susceptible to infection. [4]
Most shippers will refuse to unload and load horses that do not walk onto the trailer well. A horse refusing to load can become aggressive or dangerous quickly. To avoid stress for handlers and horses, some owners choose to keep the horse on the trailer and forgo the break.
Biosecurity
Finally, every barn your horse stops at along their route increases the risk of disease transmission if biosecurity protocols are not in place.
Even if proper biosecurity measures are being implemented, mistakes and lapses in adherence can happen. The risk is always present introducing a horse into a new environment with new horses or other disease vectors.
Trailer Loading Positions & Stalls
Ask your shipper about the type of trailer and loading positions they use for shipping your horse.
Studies indicate that horses retain their balance easier if they are facing away from the direction of travel (backward) or at an angle. [7][8]
Standing vs. Box Stalls
If your shipper uses box stalls, your horse can orient themselves freely to compensate for the changes in balance as the trailer moves.
However, if your shipper ships with standing stalls, your horse does not have the freedom to move their body how they wish to retain balance.
Slant or Straight Load
Ask your shipper if their trailer is slant or straight load. With a slant load trailer, the horse is confined to standing on an angle, making it easier for them to remain balanced.
With a straight load trailer, your horse cannot move positions to accommodate balance changes. For this reason, it is not recommended to ship horses long distances in straight load trailers. [7][8]
How to Prepare Your Horse for Long Trips
After selecting your method of travel and your shipper, it’s time to prepare them for their trip. There are several important steps you can take to keep your horse healthy, happy and safe while on the move.
Six major concerns when shipping horses over long distances are:
- Colic and gut issues
- Stiffness and pain
- Respiratory issues
- Immune system compromise
- Sleep disturbance
- Preparing for climate changes
Colic & Gut Problems
Horses are at risk of colic and other gut issues when travelling long distances. Colic may occur due to changes in feeding, dehydration, impaction, or ulcer-related pain. [9]
Several management practices can help reduce the risk of colic and digestive disorders before shipping your horse.
Hydration
Horses are very particular animals, and the stress of transportation over long distances can discourage them from drinking water. [11] Horses may also drink less water if it has an unfamiliar smell or taste or if their electrolyte balance is disrupted.
Make sure your horse has constant access to clean, fresh water while on the trailer. If this is not possible, ask your shipper to offer your horse fresh water whenever they stop (at least every four hours).
Your horse should be given an opportunity to drink as much water as they want during and after their journey.
Hydrating your horse before a long-distance trip will improve gut motility (the transport of feed through the gastrointestinal tract). Adequate hydration lubricates feed and prevents dry feces from obstructing the intestines. [10]
Encouraging Water Intake
One method to hydrate your horse before long-haul transport is to feed them very soupy hay cubes or beet pulp the day before the trip.
While you do not want to fill your horse’s gut with too much bulk before a long trip, feeding a soaked mash will provide high moisture content and act as a water reservoir in the gut to keep them hydrated for longer.
You can also feed extra salt and electrolytes in the days leading up to their departure. The sodium in salt and electrolytes will trigger a thirst response, encouraging the horse to consume more water. [12]
Encourage your horse to drink more by only offering them lukewarm water instead of cold. Horses will choose cold water over lukewarm but will drink more volume if only lukewarm water is offered. [13]
You can further encourage water intake with flavourings, such as apple juice or other additives. Most horses will drink more if the water is slightly flavoured. [11]
If you know your horse has a history of dehydration or colic, ask your veterinarian about administering intravenous fluids the night before the trip. This will be an additional cost but may prevent impaction and dehydration. [11]
Turnout
Horses move very little during a long-haul trip, which can increase the risk of colic. Movement is crucial for avoiding colic b