How to Vet a Hauler

[LakeEffect]

Hi everyone!

New horse on the horizon - so exciting! Unfortunately, he’s 1700 miles from me. I’m curious as to what everyone looks for when using something like FB groups to request hauling quotes. Yes, I have reached out to the big guys ($$$$$), as well as a couple of recommendations from the seller, but I don’t think it hurts to see if someone has already planned the route. How do I go about asking about insurance, permits, etc.? Horse himself will be insured by that point with medical/mortality. This is all within the U.S. but as you can see all new to me.

Thanks in advance! I put this in the Horse Care section but if there’s a better suited one, please point me there

[Sansena]

I’d really avoid those FB hauling sites. Go by word of mouth, from people you trust.
Your seller and your trainer can advise you on recommended insurance companies, vets to provide coggins and health certs., etc.

I got the name of a shipper who’s bringing my horse some 1800 miles next week. I have a friend/ coworker who’s VERY particular and shipped horses from CA to CT, TX to CT and others using this shipper. She was pleased with how each horse arrived. I can give you the name if you’d like.

[LakeEffect]

That’s fair. I recall now that I did end up using Uship to find a hauler years ago for ~900 miles; this was before the FB groups really became popular. I had great service but later heard some not so positive experiences via that site.

The route is a bit uncommon this time of year: NW US to upper midwest. If your contact heads that way, please feel free to PM me! I’m most concerned about timing. I’ll have paid for the horse so of course want him off and headed towards me sooner rather than later.

[JLR1]

I recently moved my horse from AZ to TN using a “big guy” with the biggest price tag (Brookledge) and was beyond disappointed with them…there was a complete lack of communication from pickup to drop off and my normally laid back horse came off the trailer shaking and scarred to death. My take away is not to assume the big guys are better.

[cardinale]

Consider Marvin Yoder–he’s based in Iowa and just hauled a horse from the Midwest to CA for me. Cost was very reasonable and he did a great job.

[OneTwoMany]

If you haven’t already, you might want to consider Bob Hubbard.

[jetsmom]

I cant recommend Equine Express enough. Great communication, experienced horse people as drivers, nice equipment.

[Sansena]

Private messaged you.

[Denali6298]

I go by word of mouth. I have used Creech and Brookledge. My experience with Brookledge was better than the poster above. I will use them again. Bob Hubbard also is highly recommended but for logistics reasons did not go with them. I will however be calling them for quotes along with Brookledge when Marsey moves coasts again.

[Huntin_Pony]

Check with American Horse Transport from Washington state. I shipped a youngster from Kentucky to Whidbey Island with them and it was smooth and stressless. They do that route regularly.

[Denali6298]

@Sansena who did you use for your recent move?

[Palm_Beach]

You might be able to check criminal and civil records online. They should be registered with the DOT.

[Sansena]

@Denali6298

@Sansena who did you use for your recent move?

I used a fairly new company… Gentle Journey. Their page on FB has their reviews but their website still needs some streamlining. Have a friend who used them to ship horses from all over the US to CT. Friend is one tough cookie but she had nothing but great things to say about GJ.

Have heard good things (mostly from this board) about Bob Hubbard, but have had plenty of experience with Brookledge shipping horses back n’ forth from FL-CT and NC-CT. Horses always came off the van fresh as daisies. A little late, maybe a little sketchy on the communication but no biggie.

[Bluey]

@jetsmom

I cant recommend Equine Express enough. Great communication, experienced horse people as drivers, nice equipment.

Used Equine Express last few years and they were very communicative and horses came off the trailers fresh, after hours long trips.
Prices were also very competitive, but they have regular coast to coast trips weekly thru here.
When you can wait to fill an opening in a load, are not in a hurry, that helps keep costs down.

Any company may have a bad trip or experience and customer complaints occasionally.

The ones to stay away from are those with several complaints and sketchy recommendations you can’t vouch for or believe.

[findeight]

Be sure to check that anybody you hire is properly licensed, insured and operating legally. Sometimes that’s why they cost more.

[RMJacobs]

I had a great experience with BrookLedge in 2017. I was worried about shipping my elderly pony 1800 miles from Colorado to South Carolina, and they took great care of him. He came off the trailer looking like he’d just had a nice vacation.

Rebecca

[Edre]

I used Ecclestone for a longer trip last year. Brookledge, IHT, and Equine Express were also recommended to me but I had a very hard time getting people to get in touch with me for quotes or booking. Ecclestone was the best with communication (both during the planning stage and during the shipping itself) and I would recommend them. Kyle Ecclestone kept in touch with me (which was big, because we ran into some unexpected bumps - no one’s fault and completely unexpected) throughout the entire process. They do some fairly unconventional routes so it may be worth contacting to see if they’re running in the areas you’re looking. Pricewise I found that they were expensive but not the priciest quote I got, and the van that my horse came in was very nice, with a great driver who kept an eye out for my just-weaned filly and kept me updated.

[Marla_100]

Have had excellent service from Brookledge and Equine Express. Both large air ride vans and full stalls. I wouldn’t use US SHIP as I’ve seen too many dishonest haulers who can’t even tell the truth about their rigs, so I quit right there.

[CindyCRNA]

In the midwest here and Clint Colter is the gold standard.

[PonyPenny]

Terry Konkle of Light Star Ranch Horse Transportation is awesome. http://www.lightstarranch.com/