What is The Cost of Transporting a Horse?
Shipping horses is a big responsibility. But even bigger is transporting horses during busy competition seasons. When you reach out for a quote, you will find haulers rarely quote a flat rate. Why? Because pricing a trip involves more than a simple mileage calculation from pickup to final destination..
For this discussion, we shall be outlining shipping within the United States only. Shipping to Europe, from Europe or other countries, require addtional fees and typcially up to 30 days quarrentine period, depending the age and gender of the horse. So for this outline, we shall outlines costs based on within the United States only.
From the owner’s perspective, arranging hauls can be complicated and confusing, especially for those who have never arranged such transportation before. Whether from your own residence or boarding, it is a hassle for the busy trainer or barn manager. Many factors may affect the cost of transportation, here are some points to consider:
Skilled drivers, handlers and state-of-the-art equipment
Not all transport companies are created equal. The best of the best take pride in their reputations and go to significant (often costly) lengths to provide the highest level of service possible.
Skilled, reliable and honest help is hard to find. When hauling long distances, a quote should alway include the cost for multiple drivers. A requirement that prevents driver fatigue. A tired driver is a dangerous driver, for both themselves and your horse. Not only do these drivers need to be knowledgeable horse people.
On especially long hauls, horses too need to be given breaks. Not just for food and water, but do relax from the tense process of trailer transport. Standing up and balancing oneself with the bumps and sways of a trailer is hard work. Typically this type of break is done with lay over hubs. Yet this too adds to the cost of transportation.
Here are the major points to look for:
- Type of trailer : relative to distance of transporation
- Costs of medical paperwork when crossing state lines (Coggins)
- Number of drivers need
- Emergency transport vs scheduled events
- Experience of the driver.
- Communication ablity between trailer and horse owner
- Insurance type
- Licensed driver
- Dedicated transport or shared with other destinations
So what are the costs?
We outlined what you should look for, but what does this break down to? Depens on your choosen method and speed necessary, in addition to the equipment and number of drivers.
Shipping method : Flying or Road?
Flying method:
To fly a horse is the most expensive option, with one-way tickets costing between $3,000 and $10,000. It is also limited by destination. In the United States, both Fedex and UPS have horse transport available for cross country movement. IT also includes a horse handler, who flies with your horse during the transport period. Flying is usually the easiest on your horse, reducing the time from days to hours. But it does it your pocket book.
Road method:
Road method, requires all the qulaification of drivers, hubs and distances. Which mileage wise, is not always a straight line and minimum distance. Especially if you share the cost with other unrelated owners.
Nationally mileage charges range from $0.75 to $3.00. In California, that price is higher due to the state requirments of higher insurance rates and equipment licensing. You can expect the rates to be from $1.50-$4.00 a mile with a 25 mile minimum.
What Horse Carry Charges
Based on driver availabilty, Horse Carry, LLC can meet or beat most horse transporation companies, when scheduled. CALL US. We can get it done.
