I have a really off the wall idea…can you explain to the people in charge you simply have no safe way to transport your nice mare and adorable foal safely? From what I’ve read, it appears you’ve exhausted other options. I wonder if they would make an exception and evaluate via real time video. OR, they may know of a safe way to ship her.
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I saw someone haul a mare and foal to the state fair here one summer. WHY take any chances??? The foal broke a leg when they unloaded. If you can’t take that divider out I wouldn’t even try. And 5 hrs??? No No and NOPE. The foal WILL HAVE to lay down, cannot stand for 5 hrs of constant movement - and even a good mare, a well meaning mare, a balanced mare may get body shifted in the trailer because of a traffic move - the foal usually stretches their legs out. I couldn’t live with myself for what could happen.
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Even hiring a company like this: http://www.yd-horses-transport.com/tranquillite-securite/ (and to be fair, it’s the first result I Googled so I am certain there are others), is better than the setup you have. Their van is fully enclosed, and looks to have partitions that can be fully removed or folded back to give you a “box stall” set up.
Echoing those above - do not haul a foal in a trailer that is not fully enclosed.
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It doesn’t matter. No openings for loose horses - which would be the foal at the least here. Seriously, it’s not worth the risk, and is VERY different from a barred window or stock slats.
You wouldn’t want an angle haul anyway, unless you can take everything out. You want a box stall. How to people in France haul their mares and foals? There have to be commercial shippers with box stall vans. I know EquiTrek makes them, I’m sure the other companies do too.
This is a great idea! Maybe the inspectors can help find a ride for mom and baby.
This. Registering this baby isn’t worth maiming or killing him. Shipping horses is always risky, and exponentially more with babies. And blocking off the two stalls to have baby on the other side is asking for a casting episode - best case you’ve installed a fear of confined spaces in your baby, worst case you have broken bones or a dead horse.
Anyway, OP, we just want the best for your horses. This is why everyone is trying to impress how dangerous this is in the trailer as it is.
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I agree with @NaturallyHappy. Call the inspectors and explain the problem. I wouldn’t risk your lovely foal.
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Is there any chance they will evaluate him as a yearling? Next year it would be possible to haul them normally in your trailer.
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I’m another with the “no go” opinion.
I’d start looking hard and fast at the rental options.
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I would practice loading your mare into your trailer and teach baby how to lead properly.You have time; because I would arrange for a transport company to haul for you. someone like: https://gklatte.de/import/
I have used them when I imported to do the show season in the EU twice. I know you are in France, and they are in Germany, but they may do the haul. Or know someone that can.
Ages ago, I used to work for a Standardbred breeding farm and we would haul our mares with foals by their side in box stalls. Either in our box truck, or a stock type of trailer with the dividers removed. (I know you don’t have those) but always in a box stall. Its the safest. What scares me the most is you mentioned your mare is not a good hauler and 5 hour one way trip is a long haul in a straight load for a good hauler.
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Another option. How are cattle hauled in your country? Here the farmers use various sizes of stock trailers that are designed for loose animals (that’s where our stock trailers originally came from). Is it possible you could borrow a cow trailer? Your horses are small enough you don’t need a huge trailer.
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Just thought I’d give an update because we made the trip on Sunday.
I ended up renting a truck (two horse) which I could take the divider out of so it turned into a box stall. Mare and foal hauled perfectly. We stopped twice for a short rest on the way. The foal had plenty of room but she chose to stand next to her mother the whole time anyway and never lay down. The foal wasn’t stressed at all and I think it ended up being a great experience for her. I’m certainly glad I went and I am no longer worried about hauling mares and foals now that I’ve done it and know that it’s not really a big deal after all.
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thanks for the update and THANKS for taking the advise provided by many of the posters
We had a five month old weanling shipped to us, the trip was over a thousand miles, since the shipper was the breeder they had a camera setup in the box stall, it was interesting to see the weanling take it all in as if he was on a trip to an amusement park… pull some hay from the hanging hay bag then walk back to look out the side window at the passing countryside
It appeared he never had an issue, upon arrival he was ready to take on the world.
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What a gorgeous pair!!
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As I was reading I was thinking no way in heck would I haul the pair in your trailer. Im so glad you rented a truck and things went well. How cute!!!
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Did she get approved?
(I am scared to ask! 
But am glad it was a successful trip!)
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Glad to hear you found a good alternative way to haul them. Glad things went so well for ALL of you! They look good after arrival.
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Yes she got approved 
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