Conference noted::equitation

    Suggest that you use a professional hauler.  If DEC is paying, then
    you are in good shape as far as costs.  However, even if you are
    paying, you can get insurance from the hauler and will probably
    come our ahead in the convience area.  As far as the climate, we
    moved horses form California to Colorado and found that blanketing
    was a good idea.  The horses did not have the same winter coat as
    found in the colder climates.  One caution, make sure the hauler
    REQUIRES a health certification prior to transport.  This is important
    since your horse will likely be on the truck with other animals.
    
    We used Nationwide for our horses (twice so far) and found them
    reasonably price (not the cheapest) and VERY reliable.  Also, they
    stop on a VERY regular schedule and walk the horses.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Dan

    I've done hauling myself for reasonable distances 1800-2800 mile
    trips and did it straight through with short stops for the horses
    and believe me, if you can get a professional to do it, then I STRONGLY
    suggest that you do so! As reply -.1 suggests, check into health
    certificates, etc before making any agreements for your horse's
    sake..
    
    Good luck!
    
    Linda
    

    If you are traveling over 600 miles, I would ship using a "reputable
    shipper".  The only way to find out about reputations is to ask
    a group of people.  The real difference is the confort for the animals.
    Any large van will make a huge difference to the horse after a days
    worth of travel.  Try making a trip in the back of a van and compare
    it to the back of a two horse trailer.  You'll see what I mean after
    about 100 feet.  We do a fair amount of shipping between Massachusetts
    and Kentucky which is about 1000 miles.  We also use Nationwide
    exclusively because of the service, the way they have handled the
    horses, and their condition when they arrived.  Many of these shipments
    have been mares with foals by their sides and I don't have any qualms
    about Nationwide shipping them.  By the way there are two outfits
    called Nationwide, the one I'm talking about is out of Colorado
    Springs.  The other one is in Florida somewhere.
    
    Regards,
    
    Bob
    

    I grew up in South Bend Indiana, (about 1-2 hours from Chicago) I
    can guarantee that Atlanta horses will want blankets in the cold
    months. Also, get used to riding in the cold and wet cause that's
    what it's like when it's not hot and humid. Can you guess I'd never
    move back given a choice?
    
    Also, I don't remember what it's called but on the way to O'hara
    airport from my Mom's place in Woodstock we passed a huge eventing
    barn. They had a great looking cross country course and a 2 level
    barn with a drive way up the second floor. I wanted to stop but
    I barely made my plane as it was. Liesl

    DEC's relocation policy specifically EXCLUDES paying for the moving
    of large animals (horses, cows, etc:). However there is an exception
    procedure by which the hiring cost center manager can get waivers.
    Depending on the dollar amount, it will depend on how high up the
    hiring organization one has to go to get that approval.
    
    When I moved from Connecticut back to Maynard, I made sure that
    DEC would pick up the tab for my one and only (large grey 1400 lb)
    dependent. Atlanta to Chicago will be more expensive so if this
    is a DEC move get to work on the hiring cost center manager.

    The horse transport company we used was Nationwide Horse Transport
    out of Colorado Springs.  Also, leg wraps were mentioned by people
    when we first moved our horses, however, we decided against them.
    We think that it is better to minimize the changes and stresses.
     It worked for us.   Also, I'd mentioned blanketing the horses,
    don't do it unless its an open van.  Nationwide uses an
    enclosed, climate controlled van the size of a Trailways Bus.  
    
    Dan

    
    I guess I'll go ahead and put in my two cents worth.
    
    I just moved to Colorado from Iowa (around 800 miles).  Since I
    have 4 to move, I brought two with me in my two-horse trailer. 
    I will have the others shipped commercially.  
    
    Trailering the two was not too bad.  HOWEVER, they are both used
    to being hauled around for shows AND I worked hard at getting them
    in pretty good condition so they could stand the trip better (i.e.,
    I moved them to a stable with an indoor ring a month and a half
    before the trip so I could leg them up).  They both made the trip
    very well.  BUT as I said they are used to being hauled a lot. 
    
    I did wrap their legs as they are used to having legs wrapped for
    travel.  And I did haul them with sheets--they were used to having
    heavy winter blankets on, but it would have been MUCH too warm in
    the trailer with heavy blankets.  Since it was around 5 degrees
    when we left I felt they needed something.  I did check them frequently
    to make sure they weren't over-heating.
    
    They had hay in front of them at all times, and I offered them water
    every time we stopped.
    
    My young filly who is still in Iowa will be shipped commercially--she
    is not used to much trailering and the better shipping companies
    do have rigs with air-ride.  I plan to use West Coast Transport
    or Nationwide to ship her.  It would have been nice to ship all
    of them, but the cost for me was prohibitive.  Plus I was coming
    this direction with my trailer anyway...
    
    Trailering on your own can be done with lots of preparation and
    care en route.
    
    Mary Jo
    

    A mention on bandages, first I never ever use bandages when hauling
    long distances but instead when we walk the horses at rest stops,
    I also give them a quick alcohol rub. Wraps can cause many problems
    especially if they come off or if the leg starts to swell.
    
    Another suggestion that I have is to bring large containers to hold
    enough water for the whole trip because many horses won't drink
    strange water (you know, "You can lead a horse to water but...".)
    
    Good luck!
    
    Linda
    

    
    Excellent point on the water!  Another way around it is to put some
    jello in their water for several days before you leave, then add
    some when you offer it on the road.  I didn't really have a place
    to haul the water from home--it was too cold to keep in the bed
    of the truck and there was no room inside.  (Some people use Gator-ade,
    some use wintergreen.)
    

    re: .9, also if doing hot/warm weather hauling, electrolytes can
    flavor the water nicely too!
    

    
    About the bandages, a well wrapped standing bandage should not cause
    swelling. I think it depends on the horse, if you've got a kicker
    or a horse whose legs 'fill-up' you need them, otherwise skip 'em.
    
    On the climate change - check the local shoeing. I know that in
    South Carolina they don't use pads because of sand and abcesses
    but here in New England pads are quite common. Once you make the
    move you might want to find your farrier right away.
    
    Nancy
    

    That brings up another point for preparation.  Make sure all vet work
    is up-to-date--deworming, teeth checked, health certificates, Coggin's
    tests, vaccination records...  Some states have different health
    requirements for transporting horses.  I am fairly certain that
    Illinois requires a negative Coggins certificate (within 6 months?). 
    
    Also, some stables have special requirements before you bring your
    horse in.  The stable I moved to wanted proof of negative Coggins
    tests, health certificate, vaccination records for Rhino, influenza,
    and sleeping sickness (part of the reason I chose this particular
    stable).                                                             
    
    Regarding shoeing--I checked out how horses were shod in Colorado,
    then had my farrier reset shortly before we left so I wouldn't have
    to worry about that right away after moving.  

    re .12 
    Massachusetts also requires a negative Coggins test for out-of-state
    horse. They also require an up to date (within 2 years of testing)
    Coggins test in regards to a horse sale. Better safe than sorry!
    

    One more suggestion.  Wrap your horses tail if you use a commercial
    mover.  It will save a LOT of cleaning later.
    
    Dan

    re: .14
    
    Yikes...be careful wrapping tails for long distance hauling.  I
    worked for an importer of warmbloods...one horse actually LOST PART
    OF HIS TAIL BONE AND ENTIRE TAIL because of a tail wrap....it was
    awful and the horse really suffered and also lost his resale 
    value. 
    
    Jeannie
    
    

    if someone is that worried about having to clean a tail then I have
    another suggestion. Braid in a long thin piece of flannel, tie it
    up gently and put a thick cotton gym sock over it. Not only does
    it keep it clean but it also works well on horses which are turned
    out to keep the tail long.
    
    Linda

             <<< DELNI::WORK$01:[NOTES$LIBRARY]EQUITATION.NOTE;1 >>>
                      -< - Equitation Notes Conference - >-
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Note 483.0                Cheap Horse Transportation???                3 replies
MEMORY::ABBOTT                                       14 lines  13-JAN-1988 16:17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Can anybody give me any ideas about where to find a cheap, but reliable
    person who would haul a horse up from Ocala, Florida to Grafton,
    Mass?  I moved up here about 7 months ago and HAVE to get my horse
    up here within the next 3-4 weeks.  I called Lorraine Horse Transport
    and they charge $450 - is that about average or are there cheaper
    places to go.  I want to make sure she gets up here in one piece
    - she is the horse I've been waiting for for many years and I'd
    hate for anything to happen to her now.
    
    PLEASE HELP!!1
    
    chris(tine)
    
    
================================================================================
Note 483.1                Cheap Horse Transportation???                   1 of 3
PBA::KEIRAN                                           6 lines  14-JAN-1988 07:22
                                 -< Blue Chip >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Have you tried Blue Chip horse transportation?  I know of several
    people who have used them and have been very happy.  I am not sure
    about their prices, but you could give them a call.  
    
    Linda
    
================================================================================
Note 483.2                Cheap Horse Transportation???                   2 of 3
ASD::WIMBERG                                          6 lines  14-JAN-1988 09:34
                                 -< JR Hudson >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Try JR Hudson in Nashua. I don't know about prices but they
    are relieable. If you can hook on to a trip with others coming up
    you might get a break.
    
    Nancy
    
================================================================================
Note 483.3                Cheap Horse Transportation???                   3 of 3
MURPHY::GCOOK "Murphy was right"                     12 lines  14-JAN-1988 10:42
                          -< Shipping *is* expensive >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I would be leary of any transporter who was too cheap.
    I think there are some who just zip 'em into the truck
    and go and don't worry about what could happen.
    
    I think that Blue Chip is safe and reliable but *not cheap*!
    
    There are a few horse haulers who advertise in the Pedlar.  
    I know that some of the noters here have shipped horses all 
    over the country and I'm sure they'll respond.
    
    Gwen
                         

    My friend is in a bind and is looking for some referrals or
    suggestions, can anyone help?
    
    Does anyone have any experience with the  `Meadow Farms Horse
    Transport'?
    
    They quotes $850 to ship 2 horses to Missouri from Mass, is this a 
    good price?  
    
    Any other/better recommendations?
    
    These folks say they have 2 drivers for @ truck.  They stop every 2
    hours for watering.  The truck is a 9 horse unit.
    
    Thanks for any info (please send negative responses to me personally, so we
    don't violate any DEC rules).
    
    Thanks Folks!
    
    Michele

    
    
    When trailering long distances - how should horses be wrapped..?
    
    Should I use my shipping boots or should I wrap them in polar wraps
    
    
    	Thanks.. 

    In many people's opinions, they should NOT be wrapped at all for long
    distance hauling. The reasoning is that the wraps reduce circulation in
    the legs when left on for a long time.

Donna,

what do you consider long distance - 1 hour, 1 day, 3000 miles?  Answers
will vary depending on the distance.  (answers will vary anyhow, since I  
know folks who *never* wrap, no matter what the distance...)

    
    
    8 hours.. .. from chelmsford to PA... 
    
    

I've done this length haul several times with my instructor.  She always wraps 
her horse.  The shipping wraps she uses are thick cottons covered by flannels
(6"x15' flannel strips - like track bandages, but longer and wider).  If it were 
my horse, I would probably do the same, or at least put his shipping boots on 
since he needs to have his hocks protected if travelling in a normal trailer. 
However, if I were using a commercial hauler, I would *not* wrap the horse (or 
use shipping boots)

Is your horse a good shipper?  Will you hauling the horse, or is the horse
travelling with a commercial shipper?

The problem with wraps is that they often slip, which can upset the horse or
cause damage to the legs and basically cause more trouble.  How confident are
you that you can apply a good shipping wrap?

I think your answers to these questions will help you decide whether to 
wrap or not.

Like I said in my earlier note, I know several folks that never wrap, no matter 
what the distance.

hope this helps.