Expert Tips for Stress-Free Horse Transportation

A good haul comes down to preparation. After 30+ years of shipping horses all over the country, I know what makes the difference on hauling day.

Here's what I tell every owner before we roll:

1. Book early. The best haulers fill up fast, especially around show season and big moves. The more lead time you give me, the more options you'll have.

2. Get your horse ready. Make sure vaccinations and papers — Coggins, health certificate — are current before travel. Pack supplements and feed if your horse is on a special diet. If your horse hasn't loaded in a while, practice at home so the trailer isn't a brand-new scary thing on hauling day. It also helps to put your horse in a stall 24 hours before shipping if he or she has been turned out in pasture.

3. Tell me everything. Feeding schedule, quirks, who bites, who weaves, who needs a buddy. The more I know, the better I can match you with the right hauler and pass along the right instructions.

4. Stay calm at loading. Horses read us. If you're wound up, they'll be wound up. Keep it quiet, be patient, and give them a second to figure it out.

5. The rig matters. A safe haul means a clean, well-ventilated trailer in good working order, with proper footing and dividers. That's part of what I check for, so you don't have to.

   Do these things and you've done your part. I'll handle the miles.

Before you book any hauler, learn how to vet them yourself. Get the Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Horse Transportation Company — a step-by-step checklist plus a video walkthrough showing you how to pull any hauler's federal safety record.