Long Distance Shipping of Pregnant Mares

[cgray0983]

My husband and I are re-locating this summer from West Coast to East Coast and will have a couple pregnant mares. Timing isn’t perfect obviously, but the move has to happen this summer.

That said, I wanted to get opinions on when to ship/how to ship. I have 8 horses total that I will be shipping across country and usually ship commercial instead of in my rigs with a hauler that will stop everyday to let horses off for 12 hours to stretch legs, and roll and lie down. So the total trip will take a week or so. One mare will be over 60 days along by the time said trip rolls around and can travel with her herd, the other is a surrogate that may not be over 60 days. I guess my biggest question is, would it be better to splurge on a couple plane tickets for these two mommas? They have precious cargo so I want to make sure I do the best thing with the ultimate goal that they can foal out in 2017 at our home farm instead of being left behind.

[EventerAJ]

When I managed big-time mares at a KY TB farm, we routinely shipped mares in from PA and NY to Lexington and back. Not quite cross-country, but still a good 14-18 hour trip. Our general rule was to transport when confirmed 45 days (or more) in foal, and use Regumate before/during/after travel. Not a big deal when traveling on a commercial van, and most mares had foals at side.

I prefer to ship the mares to their foaling destination at least 30 days prior to due date, so they are well-settled and build up some natural immunity to microbes in their foaling environment. After foaling, mares and foals can travel moderate distances safely even as young as 4-7 days old.

[MuddyHalter]

I recently did a similar cross-country move. I don’t have any expertise regarding shipping pregnant mares, but I can tell you I trucked one horse in a box stall with Brookledge, and flew the other with Tex Sutton. The drive took a total of four days, with that horse being picked up in the afternoon of the first day, and delivered on the opposite coast the morning of the fourth day. She arrived in good shape. The flight was a total of two days of shipping with pick up on day one, and the flight departing on day two. That horse arrived in great shape. I would use both companies again. I have to add that I worked with Greg at Tex Sutton and he was so terrific and helpful. Good luck with your move.

[cgray0983]

Thank you for the feedback. I have at least two months to plan if the sale of our home here goes through. A friend is sending me Greg’s info for Tex Sutton. I’ve shipped several non-preggers x-country before so just have to weigh the options. Thank you for the info EventerAJ I will discuss with me vet for each mare.

[Laurierace]

Ship them commercial for sure, but they will be fine.