Horse shopping and shipping in winter

[MMavin]

I think in know the answer, but I saw a horse I really like out East! Have any of you had experience shipping a horse cross county (northern route) in winter?

Commercial shipper, destination say Idaho from any mid Atlantic state.

Guessing I need to limit my search to west coast only

Thanks!

[joiedevie99]

You can always get a quote from someone who handles domestic air transport - like Tex Sutton. If you’re flexible on date, it can end up being pretty reasonable.

[GoodTimes]

I moved from Ontario to Alberta in January 2015, then back to Ontario in January of 2017. My gelding was shipped commercially both ways within weeks of me moving each time. No issues.

[candyappy]

I see no reason why you can’t schedule a horse to be shipped in the Winter? Unless you live in the extreme Northern part of the state where the roads are closed for months in some areas due to being covered in snow?

You may be pushed back if the weather is bad but I wouldn’t pass up a good horse if you find one.

[LilRanger]

You’re probably better off shipping in winter than summer. As others said, talk to a shipper and see what they do in the event there’s a weather impact.

[No1]

I’m not sure what the concern is? Unless it’s weather affecting roads?

Commercial shippers safely and successfully ship horses in all sorts of weather. Broodmares, for example, go from all over to KY or NY starting in Jan/Feb. Lots of show horses don’t move south until Jan. Just go with a reputable company so you know they’re offering water, not completely closing the windows, etc.

[joiedevie99]

The concern is the mountain passes in the Rockies They can be quite treacherous in winter, and sometimes close for days at a time. Truckers can get stuck and essentially end up camped out in their trucks on the side of the road until it reopens. Obviously, that doesn’t work with horses.

They have to monitor weather conditions closely, and cancel or lay-over horses somewhere safe until the forecast clears if there is any chance of a problem - and obviously carry lots of extra hay and water for a worst case scenario.

[lorilu]

I live in Florida I bought a horse in Idaho in November a few years ago. Biggest problem wasnt the travel, it was finding a shipper…

[IdahoRider]

I have shipped from California to Idaho in the winter, The roads are kept pretty clear and when they are shut because of snow, it is only for 12-24 hour. There is a woman in the northern part of Idaho that ships out from her sale barn year round.
Sheilah

[No1]

I live in Florida. The only “weather conditions” I’m familiar with is a hurricane