For those who don't already know, at the end of last year my husband and I decided to move across the country; from Salt Lake City, UT to the western part of New York state where I'm originally from. While I'm thrilled with the decision now that we're settled, the process was a huge pain in more ways than one! I've gotten a lot of questions about what it's like to move your horse such a long distance, so I thought I would write up my experience with the process. Read on for the steps (and unexpected bumps!) in my and Rigil's travel journey.
Step 1: Choosing a New Barn
For most people this will probably be one of the more time consuming and complex steps. Anyone who has ever changed their horse's living situation (even without the added pressure of a long-distance move) knows that a lot of factors go in to deciding on the right environment for both you and your equine partner. In this regard I was very lucky. Moving back to the area I grew up meant the possibility of returning to the barn I used to ride at. My old trainer was the first phone call I made, and I was thrilled to discover that she had room for me and Rigil.
Step 2: Finding Transportation
Shipping a horse is not cheap. That being said, there are a million different options for transporting a horse at many different price points. A good rule-of-thumb though is that if it seems like too good of a deal, it probably is. Trying to save a few bucks is not worth the potential risk to your horse's health and safety, and the peace of mind that comes with choosing a reputable shipper is well worth the price tag.
For transporting Rigil I decided on the traditional door-to-door service of a shared route. Shipping companies plan these routes based on what horses they are picking up in what locations, and where they need to be transported to. The cost is typically much more economical than a private charter (where you are booking a private trip for just your horse(s)).
I put feelers out to friends and horsey social media groups asking people what companies they had experience with and liked. When I had a few names (and had done some research on my own) I reached out to a handful of companies for quotes. It's best to start this process as soon as possible (several weeks or even months beforehand) as many shipping routes fill up quickly, and the routes often need to planned enough in advance to accommodate the pick-up and drop-off locations of the different horses sharing the ride. For me there was also the added complication of the pandemic, which had led to backups and driver shortages for most horse shipping companies.
A couple good things to keep in mind when looking at companies: Are they fully licensed and insured? Do they require Coggins and health certificates? Do they follow additional state requirements for livestock transport (things like brand inspections)? A reputable company will have these guidelines in place and be able to tell you all the requirements for shipping your horse.
Step 3: Finalizing Transportation Details
After choosing a transport company, I had the option of either a stall-and-a-half (where the horse is cross-tied next to another with a partition between) or a box stall. The box stall is more expensive, but I went with that option for a few reasons: it is more comfortable for your horse over long distances, being loose gives your horse the freedom to move and stretch, and eat and drink in a more natural position, and it is the recommended option for nervous or inexperienced travelers (like my boy Rigil).
While pricing will of course vary based on company, distance, stall choice, and other factors, my move with Rigil (box stall, over 2,000 miles, travel time of a week with a layover at the transport company's barn) was roughly $3200.
Step 4: The Paperwork
Several documents were required in order for Rigil to be transported: a negative Coggins, a health certificate from a vet, and a brand inspection (required by the state of Utah when transporting horses).
The Coggins I already had, and it was still valid as it was dated within a year.
The health certificate was an easy one to get from my vet, and only cost $30, but had to be timed carefully as it needed to be dated within two weeks of Rigil's pick-up. It was basically just general check-up that said my horse was healthy to travel and had no signs of illness that would pose a risk to other horses. I actually ended up needing to get a second health certificate done, as Rigil's pick up was delayed (pandemic back-ups) and it had been longer than the required two-week period. A bit unfortunate, but my awesome vet made it happen.
The brand inspection was a bit of a pain, as it required getting an official inspector out to issue it. I ended up getting a "lifetime" pass/inspection, which is more than what I needed for shipping Rigil (a one-time shipping pass would have sufficed), but it was only a few dollars more expensive and is good forever in any state that requires one.
Step 5: Pick Up
I was not required to be present for pick up (or delivery) of Rigil, but I did need to have a designated point-of-contact whose information was shared with the transport company and the drivers. I had already left the state by the time Rigil was picked up, so one of the wonderful girls at my barn helped me out by being there to greet the drivers, hand over the paperwork, and load Rigil up. The pick-up time was initially a several hour window that was an estimate based on the route. As the drivers got closer they contacted both me and the pick-up person with a more exact arrival time.
As suggested by the company I had labeled Rigil's halter and lead with both his name and mine, and sent along some pre-portioned servings of grain as the company offered the service of administering grain/supplements while at the layover point. I was also having my tack trunk shipped with Rigil, so that was labeled and loaded up too.
The route Rigil was on included a layover at the transport company's barn, so he would make his journey in two legs, with a day or two at their barn in between. The drivers also made stops every few hours to give the horses a rest, check on them, and top off hay/water. It was a week door-to-door for Rigil's trip across the country.
Step 6: Drop Off
After a week of impatiently waiting Rigil finally arrived! Like with pick-up the arrival time was an estimated window that was updated as the drivers got closer. This time I was able to be present to unload Rigil and welcome him to his new home.
If you are considering shipping your horse and have questions or want to know more about my experience, don't hesitate to reach out to me on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/katherinecronquist/! Happy riding, and safe travels!