On the subject of transporting horses long distance.

[Storminateacup]

Further to an earlier post here today about horse slaughter and the stress of travelling long distances I would like to know the forums opinion on travelling my young horse approx. 650 miles to be professional backed.
I have a dilemma you see, in that where I currently live I cannot find a a single person that I would feel confident to back and start my horse. Nor, can I find anyone that has a decent website advertising and outlining the full services offered during the process or that carries any testimonials, so its South he will have to go.
There are two places I have in mind both nationally famous, one, Melanie Watson near York I believe, the other Jason Webb in Surrey. I know of three friends who have sent their horses to Jason Webb and the reviews have been wonderful, so I really favour him but its such a long way!
Planning to send him with Eric Gillies so he will be in luxury, but just wanting advice, or encouragement or any tips for his welfare, (after all he did travel for 22 hours from Ireland pretty much non - stop as well I think). Planning on sending him next Spring now.

I feel so bad for having to send him anywhere, but I really want the best job done on him so that I will have the safest start for this very special horse, so I guess I don't really have much choice.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

If the horse is going with Gillies it should be fine! We moved from SE England to Aberdeenshire and my young horse (with older one) who had rarely travelled much had to do a 550 mile journey. Was meant to have stopover but mad gales around the dates meant they did it in one go (with stops).

They were fine, especially the young one.

Go with your instincts, they will be with the person you're sending them to a lot longer than they'll be on the lorry.

In terms of travel hints, I made up loads of small feeds for mine but they didnt touch any of it. They had lots of haylage nets (I got them used to haylage beforehand), it has more moisture than hay so ideal for long journey and most find it more appetising. Horsehage blue (high fibre) is low energy and safe for vast majority of horses. They had stops every few hours.

I went for a smaller box where they would be the sole load purely cos I didnt want additional hours on their journey caused by dropping off the other contents of the massive Gillies box, its worth checking on this to see how long the journey will be in reality.

 

[JenTaz]

They will be fine with Gillies, Taz came over from ireland with them and they had to stop overnight down south and then he had horses to deliver to england way first so he delivered them and then picked some up to come up to edinburgh, and taz was fine at the time he was only a three year old and he sent updates to let me know how he was travelling etc

 

[Storminateacup]

Thanks folks. i think Gillies are brilliant too, I brought my 4 year old to Scotland and then sent him to London on a trial! (mad fool that I was) then brought him back to Scotland when they didn't like him. Also brought my old boy up from London and the service was fabulous. But you do worry with new young horses. He will be spending the rest of this year in the field with my old horse who he is rather too bonded with already, so ( and I am trying to reduce the separation anxiety gradually) it will be a bit of a wrench for him too when he is loaded on the wagon and off to Jason. ( apart from buying another companion horse and having to find another £50 in field rent p.m. I am a bit stuck as to what to do about the problem)
He is a bit too unhandled to do much with but we are getting the headcollar on and a bit of grooming and scratching but as far as feet being picked up, its still a no - no.

I have been told that its possible to sedate a bit to get him on the lorry, as he won't be likely to be leaving the field until then. ( I daren't take him out as there is open access to the roads across the fields) So i am worried about this too.

 

[appylass]

Just another example, my friend's laminitic pony recently travelled to my yard from Finland! 3000 miles or something. She was transported by Parkers and the way she was handled was superb. I was terrified she would get off the lorry exhausted and very sorry for herself - it was the exact opposite, she looked as if she'd just come 30 miles down the road. I think if you are using someone good, like Gillies (Gordon Hamilton is also fab on the North South run) there will be no problem. Good luck