Shipping to America? anyone done it?

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Ally_F

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My Husband has been offered a Job in America (Michigan). This has always been a dream of his, but one we never really thought would happen.

I would love to go, but the only thing stopping us (me) is the horses.

Horse 1) - 21 y/o stressy TB. - To be quite honest I wouldn't even bother thinking about taking him, he's too old, too stressy - he wouldn't make the journey. But that's ok, I've had him for 11 years, my Father is also rather attached to him and would have him as a field ornament, with occasional riding by a friend or sister-in-law or just retired.

Horse 2) - 3.5 y/o QH - She is my issue really, I've had her since she was 18 months, broke her in myself - I don't have quite the same attachment as with the old boy, but it's getting there, even more now she's being ridden.

I've looked into it a bit online, but it doesn't tell you exactly what is involved, or the time scale, I know they drive up to Germany or Amsterdam and fly from there, but how long will that take? Can I go with her or do you leave a stranger go with her?

Has anyone here done it? Was it straight forward once started? Would you do it again? - From start to finish how long did it take? Would you risk it?

Any advice or suggestions would be very much appreciated!!
 
No advice about shipping, but you do know the winters there are viscious right? Husband is from Michigan . . . the wind whistles right over those lakes from Canada . . . brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Make sure you stock up on plenty of h/w rugs.

P
 
One of our youth competitors moved back to the USA with her American mum and her sister last year. Their older horse (17, I think) stayed behind for the same reasons as yours and now has a fab home as a schoolmaster at one of the top western yards here.
They took her competition horse out there, however and he has settled really well, and has been competing successfully in 2012. If you wanted to PM me your email, I can message her via FB for you.
The best people to speak to are Nedpoint in Paul's Valley Oklahoma. They ship horses to and from Europe all the time and breed quarter horses so have lots of experience with them! They do ship via Amsterdam - I believe that they work with John Parker in the UK.
Do get in contact with Irmgard at Nedpoint even if just for a chat or advice; she is Dutch but speaks fluent English and is very nice! You could email katie@flynedpoint.com in the first instance.
 
Cannot comment on the specifics of shipping, although I understand it is done in a way that minimises horse stress.
As far as winters, yes, Michigan is cold, but in North US, the barns are arranged to cope with cold, indoor schools, etc. Management is different, a bit like Scandinavia.
A QH would be good to take to US as lots of classes, comps for this breed. A traditional hunter would be a lot more problematic.
Good luck! I would be interested to hear how you get on.
 
I did it the other way -- US to UK.

Winters in the Midwest do really suck.

That said...

It took about two weeks for my horse to get from Colorado to Durham. They fly into or out of New York, so require several days of ground transport to get to or from wherever they are going. Similarly, she flew into Amsterdam. We had an overnight layover near Schiphol airport, a three or four day layover in Kent, and then a layover near Newmarket.

You can travel with them. Just make sure the shipping company knows that early on so you can get a seat! I was not able to fly with my horse, due to lack of seating on the plane on that particular flight (it's a cargo plane -- limited seating, and another owner on our flight was traveling with her horse), but I met her at JFK airport before she flew and met her at Schiphol. I then traveled with her via ground transport to Durham.

I think (not 100% sure) if you are shipping a horse from Europe to the US, mares and stallions are required to have two weeks' quarantine on arrival, whereas geldings are only required to be in quarantine for a few days.
 
I have done it. Sent a foal to North America, he traveled in a crate with 2 other foals. It was a long haul for such a young man and he had a very snotty nose when he arrived at his destination. This foal came back to me from NA as a 14 year old stallion along with his son, also a stallion. No stress at all. Yes they do land in Amsterdam and have to travel by road to this country. So it would be the same on the outward journey. John Parker brought them back and I can't recommend them highly enough. They also organise all the paperwork and advise on tests, coggins etc.
 
Thank you so much for all your advice!

I'll email Nedpoint, Thanks Ironhorse.

It sounds do-able then! luckily I will have most of this year to plan what to do with the horses, as they go out for summer at the end of Feb, and we would be looking to go about mid-march. And my friend can look after them once they are out and there is less work to be done (she has her own two on the same yard).

Thank you again for your advice, It was really putting a dampener on the news!
 
Lanky Loll said:
Does no-one fly from the UK anymore? Was many years ago (pre-sleazy jet takeover :o) but we shipped several Shires over flying from Stansted.
Click to expand...

They must have done as the foal I mentioned above flew out of Heathrow, but coming back had to land in Amsterdam. Worth the OP looking into it.
 
Being a mare means an extra 2-3 weeks in CEM QT. So basically your costs will be shipping to airport from here, your flight plus charges including sales tax but since you've owned her for a bit I think it's minimal. Then your trip to Newburgh from Kennedy airport. QT costs in Newburgh. Then your shipping to Michigan and then your CEM costs.

Only 3 points of entry into the states for horses. NY, LA, and Miami. NY is your closest. Google CEM QT in Michigan and you should find some farms.

The good thing is the shippers are well used to shipping horses long distance in the States and most are top notch.

Terri
 
Mine flew from Stansted 3 years ago. There was no problem except the cost, which was around £6,000 to Colorado. I wasn't paying, thankfully.
 
You need to contact the Newmarket Shipping Agents!

They fly from the UK as they CHARTER the planes! But you have to know WHO to contact!!!! Don't be contacting the cheaper options of a small company that has got 3 air stalls and sticks them on any old cargo plane!!!!

Contact

BBA Shipping - http://www.bbashipping.com/
IRT - http://www.irt.com/
Jame Luck http://www.lgbloodstock.com/

There is tattersalls sales coming up in February in Newmarket so there should be horses flying out here there and everywhere so an ideal time to get a charter direct!!!!
 
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