Long Distance Travelling - Looking for some advice please

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Tierra

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Hi Peeps
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Hoping i can get some advice of those of you who have imported horses / travelled them over longer distances.

We're moving to Denmark in the rather near future and we're taking my lil dressage boy with us.

He generally travels extremely well, albeit he HATES full partitioned lorries (have to be skirted or he tries to lay down).

So, after speaking with Tia, she recommened Parkers Horse Transport and Ive been in touch with them. They've been great so far, they have skirted partitions in their boxes (and he agreed that the full ones cause issues), they've given me quotes for both him travelling in a single load and a shared load so I could compare.

Soooooooooooooo what are people's general opinions on this. My horse had a bad incident in a box last year where he went down (full partitions) and got his hind leg stuck under one of them. It was horrific as he has never ever been bad to travel. He's 14 and been a competition horse most of his life. My trainer went and collected him off the "problem lorry" and he travelled back to the yard 100% in her box.

Im not predicting any issues really.. but do people think horses are better travelling in company (shared load) or alone (single). Obviously, the cost difference is quite large but I purely want to consider the welfare issue for now.

Next question... boots or bandages? Also, i know there are rugs are the market (comfort zone rugs?) that have padded inserts on like the shoulder area and hip areas to try and prevent horses banging themselves. Are these a good idea for travelling? I dont want to use anything too thick as personally, i'd prefer them to be a tad cooler on a long journey than warmer..

Ive also read its a good idea a few days before to switch horses to a soaked hay diet and stop their hard feeds to reduce the chances of dehydration and colic. Anything else I should know? Is it worth giving electrolytes? He's not a colicy type at all and having some pony blood in him seems to make him a bit tougher.

The furthest ive ever really travelled a horse is to shows, so Im quite clueless on the implications of longer journies.

Any advice greatly appreciated and thanks for reading!
 
When we have travelled internationally we've always used bandages, i prefer them, i use the eskadron wraps as find these give more protection but also allow the leg to breath!
I would also travel him in whatever rug u usually use, they get hot on the ferries, so dont use something overly wooly!
When we went o Athens, Peden were used, and were absolutely fab! Dol fell on the take off rom Germany and they looked after her impcably!
I wouldnt change too much feed wise, but do start feedijng electrolites it will help!
One thing is, DOl always got a little het up at the ferry port when all the lorries were coming next to her and she couldnt really see them, but we just gave her some rescue remedy and she was fine!
Make sure u do all your passport checks and have everything upto date!
Good mluck with it all, if u wanna no anything else just give me a shout!!
x
 
So it's really happening then Tierra! Gosh good luck

Re your pony travelling, only you know what's best with regard to company or alone, I personnally would go with company although if your horse is a good traveller it shouldn't really matter I suppose, the only difference it will make is the time and how many stops to drop off/pick up the other horses, it could add quite a lot of time to the journey.

Re boots v bandages, what does he normally travel in? and would you want him in them for the length of the journey, will there be enough support, if there is a problem what will stay in place the best? don't know the answers but I'm sure you will.

Re his food, I'm sure the transport company would advise you on this, what will they be travelling him with, soaked hay or dry or even haylage? Will your horse drink on the lorry during the rest period? I wouldn't be inclined to change anything too drastic just before travelling.

How long will the journey be?
 
We travel with our horses with the company we use.

Never had a problem even with horses that are difficult to travel-they get a mobile stable (all partitions removed) for the tricky ones.

I would shop around and get your quotes on email, print them out and compare what they offer. If price isn't an issue then go with individual.

The company should be providing the food and the haylage!

the laws have recently changed so your transporter should have told you how long each type of journey will take!

Good luck
 
Parkers are just up the road from us and are a very good company - very professional and their lorries are very well maintained, air conditioned etc.

As far as travelling, we always travel in bandages and gamgee (sp?) as the horse have more freedom then. Most of the ferry companies are very good, and used to horses travelling, so they know what to do, and will always park the lorry considerately. You then leave the ramp down, and you are allowed down to the deck to check on the horses at regular intervals (although, I wouldn't recommend too frequently, as the horses will just get on with it if left alone. Also, if the wind is high, the ferry company won't let you travel, but as Parkers are five mins down the road from Dover, this wouldn't be a problem (am assuming you'd be going via Dover).

Personally speaking, I would prefer to travel with other horses, as some horses don't like to travel alone, but this would depend on whether your horse is used to this or not.

Anyway, Tierra, good luck with your move.

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Im not really sure in regards to whether he's better alone or in company tbh! There is a cost implication... the difference in price between a shared load and a single load (with the company who quoted me) is £2400.

He's travelled fine both alone and in company before, i just dont want him ending up in the middle of two horses that decide to take chunks out of him! And yes, Im wondering how long will be added to the journey if they have to do multiple stops and pickups. Obviously, the quicker he gets there the better for him and me (who'll be pacing up and down no doubt)

He normally travels in boots for the added hock protection. Although he's perfectly used to bandages from wearing them in the stable. A couple of people mentioned it may be worth bandaging him and then putting hock boots on... but im not sure this will add the same protection to the hock as travel boots would
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Someone else suggested bandaging and THEN putting travel boots over but a) Im concerned he'll not even be able to move to get on the lorry and b) that he's just going to get ridiculously hot.

HOWEVER, I did notice that when he went down in my friends lorry, the travel boots were absolutly god damn useless. Both back boots came off in the struggle and he bashed one hind leg up rather badly (it was stuck under a partition so he pulled off a shoe, part of the hoof, bashed his fetlock which resulted in bruising and cut down the front of his cannon bone). The one time ive actually needed some protection on his legs, they just drop off!

Re the food - not sure what they'll be offering him but will check. I think i might knock his hard feed off a few days before just to be on the safe side and use some electrolytes. I dont know if he'll drink on the lorry when offered to be honest.... He's not usually a stressy kind of boy so Id imagine he will do. I know i heard mention that they're more likely to drink while travelling IF you send some of your own water (that horsey is used to), with the transport company. But im guessing thats only realistic on a single load as i cant imagine the poor company switching water containers about per horse on the lorry :P

The drive is 18 hours by car but of course, the horse will be stopping over night so im guessing it could be close to 3 days when you consider waits at ferry ports and so on.
 
Its good to hear someone else had a good experience with them. Although I am going to look at other quotes and also speak with my trainer as she should have some idea of good companies.

I wont be travelling with him, primarily because i dont think it would do either of us any good
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Im a born worrier and i know that if the slightest issue occurs, i'll go into frantic over protective owner mode which isn't going to help anyone.

So im trusting him to other people
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Which scares me also!
 
I think you've answered most of the questions yourself then, bandages are going to better if protection is needed, and from what others have said they offer support and can breathe.

£2400 is a lot of money, especially when you're trying to clear the loans you have already, and an extra hour or two isn't going to stress your boy anymore. The transporter has to stop every eight hours for rest periods so he will move the horses around if there is any squabbling going on. My chap came over on a boat, only a 4 hour crossing but he was with bulls! I think some company is better than none.

I think the transport company will think you're bonkers if you pack up some water for him - but I'm sure you won't be the first or last mummy to be that worried
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Remeber these guys do it day in and day out, your boy will be just fine..
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If it were me then I would travel him in a shared load. That way there will be lots for him to see and he won't find it so boring. All of the horses I imported were travelled without boots or bandages - the reason being the heat.

When I flew my pony out here I used Peden Bloodstock and their suggestion was also not to fly her in boots or bandages.....so we didn't.

All horses have arrived in perfect order, albeit a bit tired. They were all travelled in just fleece blankets.....again there was the issue of over-heating.

Good luck!
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Lol
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So you think getting a big water carrier and writing "Jack's Drinkies" on it is excessive?
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I must admit... while I dont want him getting bitten by something next to him.... Im not entirely sure that travelling them alone is wise either. Think I might drop them an email and ask how big their shared loads to that part of europe usually are
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Ohhhh these poor people are going to hate me already :|

And Tia - I was thinking a fleece cooler would be enough. I really dont want him too warm because he tends to get quite agitated and starts trying to rub himself against things (in this case being partitions i suppose!)

Thanks for your thoughts guys! You're all fabulous as usual
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When we have been anywhere over 3hrs. I always bandage and boot up over the top. This way your completly cover plus. the bandanges give support to the legs and you can have the added protection of the boots.
Also you havent had if they have any stop overs along the way or if its a direct trip with no unloading?
The one other thing. Make sure you have leather heacollar that fits well. One of our had a panic attack once and the headcollar (nylon) caused a few nasty cuts before the quick release chain released.
 
The German horses that came to me were in loads of around 20 horses. The trucks are absolutely monstrous!!
 
They do stop overs, its not one full trip, so he'll be stabled over night.

Do their legs not get rather warm if you bandage and boot over the top? If i went with bandages, id use the eskadron climate control wraps most likely to try and minimise any sweaty legs.

Never thought of the headcollar issue but thankyou, I'll make sure he's travelled in leather
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I always use knee boots on the front feet (made by Jeffreys). I suppose the advantage of a single load is that you could travel directly with your horse.
 
We just brought over a horse from the north of Germany with Parkers- he had to come to the north east of scotland, so had quite a long journey with all the stops and drop offs etc. he arrived in really really good condition and I was very impressed with the transport company. he travelled without any bandages and boots- again, the reason was the heat and there were absolutely no problems. he wasn't dehydrated when he arrived either. It was a shared load- couldn't have afforded a single one, tbh, but I agree it gives some sort of distraction and company.
 
Actually I think almost all the shippers advise you not to boot or bandage the horses. Certainly all the shippers I spoke to suggested not to - hence I followed their advice. I do admit to feeling a bit nervous about this the first time though
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. However throughout the years of moving horses vast mileage, I haven't ever had one turn up injured in any way because of not using boots.
 
Never had a problem with bandages and boots. I always use polo banadages with mine with light quilted wraps then boots over the top.

However need to check that transporters are ok with booting your horse up again.-this is normally the reason they ask you not to bother with booting as its extra time for them and if they come loose/slip can cause problems.

Is there no way you travel with your boy?
 
Long distance travel is much more common on this continent - it is quite usual for race and show horses to go south for the winter or otherwise make multi-day trips for competitions.

Most of the commercial shippers recommend horses travel without boots or bandages - some even refuse to let horses ship with them! It used to be more common but most of the companies will tell you they had so much trouble with overheating, bandages slipping etc. that they advise against it now.

I've always shipped horses with water and hay of their own, and hard feed if required. (If they're going to get off the trailer and show doing without might not be an option, especially if the horses gets supplements.) Most services allow for some storage and it's never been a problem.

I would go for shipping in company. I'm not sure of the set up your horse will be riding in but I've never seen horses shipped where they can get at each other.
 
Are you familiar with travelling horses for 24 hour periods? And did your international shippers not suggest to you to leave off the boots because of over-heating and slipping rather than because it takes them more time to move out?

When my pony was flown to the States, there was no stopovers so they wouldn't ever have needed to touch the boots; but they still told me not to boot.
 
I dont want to travel with him really. I hate the thought of handing him over to someone else, but equally i need to appreciate that they're professionals and probably dont want me in the way screeching over every little thing :|

The thought of travelling him with no boots on at all scares me silly lol! :P But i never asked the company whether or not they preferred boots or not... another question to add to the email...
 
My horse came over from south Germany, which means one day 9 hours, then overnight stay and the next day another 9 hours. I was looking for a shared transporter, as I hoped it would make the travel easier for her not to be alone. My horse was not at all used to travel. At the end the transporter came empty to pick us up, the second day there was another horse but anyway separated behind a wall. She was very calm so I think no big difference if alone or shared. Pricewise of course yes.
I didnd bandage or used boots, the travel company (it was Johannsman in Germany, 1000 €) said it makes no difference, which i think its true. When a 600 kg horse struggel, then a little bandage wouldnt help much isnt it? The same for rugs etc. So she traveled unrugged.
Food: In my opinion it is important that they have always some hay, haylage to eat, to prevent stomac ulcer, specially in this stress situation. The travel company said, it is better only to give them carrots in the breaks, as they have water in it( most of the horses dont drink on the transporter) and the hey could be stuck in the throat under stress. I also wanted to give her electrolyte and coligone, which in the end she refused to take in and I didnt want to stress her more that anyway.
For me was importand to travel with her, as I thought at least she knows someone and I know what they are doing with her. I was a bit the kind of a worried horse owner, but at leased I took her for a walk and on a field while waiting for the second part of the journey, while the other horses where only stabled and often whithout hey.
 
I used Parkers to bring my boy home from Spain. They were fantastic and the driver sent me texts to let me know how and where he was. They didn't use bandages, which worried me at first. The reason though they didn't, was they said it was more of a problem if the bandages / boots slipped an dalso they could get a bit sweaty with them. He came off the box with out a single mark on him and in fantastic condition, although a little starry eyed and tired to say the least!
 
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They were fantastic and the driver sent me texts to let me know how and where he was.

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Yes that's why I loved using Parkers. They are sooo good at keeping you informed at every step of the way. Mind you so did Peden's when I flew my girl over the Pond.
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Did anyone have the lady driver bring their horses over? Now admiration for her!!! She was lovely, wonderful and driving that HULKING great lorry! (Oooh I haven't said "lorry" for years
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On shared loads horses often are travelling a very long distance. We were stopped at a livery stables in Spain on route to a show - and one of the long distance transporters pulled in. They were having trouble unloading a stallion. We went to help - it was as good as gold. When we queried what was naughty about it - the driver replied that it had been hell to deal with on Tuesday when it was loaded. This was on a Friday! For legal reasons I will not name the company.

My ex OH worked for a large transport company - and now actually has his own company. I can remember some of the routes they had to take - and boy some horses have to travel thousands of miles - dropping horses and collecting more.

I think there are many advantages to smaller loads - not just the shorter distance but also the reduced chance of cross infection. I have recently read of the very high instance rate of EIA in horses from Romania. You do not know where other horses on the lorry have come from. The lorries must stop after 8 hours to give food and water. They do not have to take the horses off the lorry - and very often are not in a place where it would be safe to do so. Many of the big lorries run for the full length of time that the drivers are allowed to drive. I am sure some of the transport company people on the board will be able to correct me - but I think that is for almost 24 hours. A long time for a horse to be on a lorry IMHO.

When we have to have valuable horses brought in from abroad - we have them transported on their own. They always arrive fit to compete. The company that we use - does use really fancy travelling boots - but advise that horses that are not used to them are better travelling without. They take a large number of breaks at stables. They also stay in frequent contact - and take photos of the horse at each stable stop. We first came across these people - when we had an emergency, and a horse had to be collected after suffering a nasty injury in transit to Spain on a larger load. We believe that he was travelled quite a distance after the injury happened. They picked him up from his vet treatment - and continued to administer his medication all the way home. However I can understand the issue of cost - it is not me that has to pay!

Funnily enough they do always take a supply of the water from the yard that horse is collected from.
 
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