Aiken for retirement?

[clanter]

FedEx CHARTERS is the wing of FedEx that does the specialty shipments

FedEx Charters specializes in general cargo; hard-to-move cargo; and animals, including zoo animals, horses and cattle.

Delivery Area Available in the U.S. and internationally for one-time or long-term use.

might be kind of costly as they use special equipment and provide a professional loadmaster for the flight

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight-services/charters.html

Tex Sutton just flies horses on their specially equipped 727 nicknamed Air Horse One
http://texsutton.com/FlightSchedule.aspx

[SBrentnall]

I used Equine Express, and they guaranteed a Texas layover at their own facility. They also sent me photos of my horse in his stall there when they arrived.

[Exracehorserider]

All great info , who are the custom shippers out of Aiken?

[Exracehorserider]

Brookledge now books horse charters with Fedx. They did quote me pdx to Atl with a stop in Memphis. I was surprised thinking my horse would have to be trailered to LA from Portland. The total time including waiting on the tarmac is 12 hours. But not daily flights either, gotta get a load just like ground shipping. In a box stall . There is a coast to coast air carrier based out of LA but they never returned my call. I would rather fly out of PDX anyway …

[Exracehorserider]

Fed x quoted 12k Portland to Aiken in a box private stall. It is cheaper if you share a box. Ground is around 6 with cost of gas. Flying is one and done a total 12 hour trip one stop in Memphis. I did not get into this detail with Fedxbut my hunch is Fedx also combines cargo giving them more frequent delivery date options then all horse transport. They do require two pro grooms onboard included in cost I also like that the horse is in a shipping container box protected from other horses, not able to kick airplane walls. Although I do wish Scotty from Startrek could just beam us up to Aiken lol…

[Exracehorserider]

So are you still in Aiken?

[Exracehorserider]

The winter this year in Portland was so wet my horses hooves wall separated got hoof rot for first time in seven years despite good hygiene. Still battling it . Fast forward to summer and the glorious NorthWest summers people used to move here for are now many 90 plus days with barns not set up for the heat. Try to ride in a county park trail and you most likely will have an altercation with a jogger that ran up on your horses butt, a loose barking growling dog nipping your horses legs, a mountain bike speeding by you. If you try and pull a trailer out of a driveway in farm areas now dotted with subdivisions cars will speed up to not let you out. Same with trying to slow and turn into a farm driveway, cars will honk cross a double yellow line to not slow and let you safely turn. it’s out of control . This area is not horse friendly. I was really impressed with the respect and care for horses in the Aiken area and the attitude that horses are a legacy worth preserving. Well done Aiken… Friendly people and loved the feel of an equestrian community. I have already made some wonderful connections.

[mvp]

I believe Marjean McIntyre is one. If you post your request on the Aiken, SC Equestrians and Horse Sports FB page, those shippers will come to you.

To answer your question below, Yes, I currently live in Aiken.

[awaywego]

Since there are so many Aiken experts on this thread: are VRBO and Airbnb the best place to look for winter rentals in Aiken? Or Facebook?

[BraveSC]

All three of those are your best bet… I would for sure start looking now as things get booked way in advance around here!