Travelling Horses across the Country - Advice

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LottieZarria

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Hi,

So we are moving from south east England to north east Scotland! and we are bringing the two horses with us. But we have never done a big move like this with the horses before, longest they have ever traveled is 2 hours. And i was wondering if anyone here has any tips and advice (and maybe experiences) of doing these big moves. Also if any one has done a move like this , do they know of any Horse hotels/motels or horse b&bs that the horses can stay at over night to rest and relax and stretch for a bit?

We are thinking of trailering them our selves as it would be easier for all of us (humans and horses).

Charlotte :)
 
How many hours driving will this be?

Normally you can travel with them about 8 or 9 hours without a problem. Many horses have to do this during the competition season. Also if you fly a horse from here to USA, it is longer on the road.

To the airport, loading, flying, deloading, transport to the boarding station and so on.

So I beleive you should be able to do the trip in one run. And it might be better for them so they can relax realy when they come home and they don`t need to drive two times.
 
Not sure how far the journey will be but 10 hours will be a very long journey to undertake for the horses without a chance to get out and stretch their legs, have a pee in comfort also for the drivers they will need to stop at some point, if only for toilet breaks it will add to the overall time, planning an overnight stop will be less stressful for all involved.
This website should have what you are looking for.
www.horseswelcome.org
 
For a 12h trip I would rather take the horses directly. Yes, stop, water, give them half an hour to relax. But don't take them out of the box.
 
Personally, I would get them travelled up by Gillies in a proper wagon which will give them a much better journey and knowing Gillies they will stable overnight at theirs then continue up the next morning. You could load the trailer up with all their bits and pieces and take your time driving up to suit you rather than having to be careful of a live load for that long which will be a strain.
 
Maesfen said:
Personally, I would get them travelled up by Gillies in a proper wagon which will give them a much better journey and knowing Gillies they will stable overnight at theirs then continue up the next morning. You could load the trailer up with all their bits and pieces and take your time driving up to suit you rather than having to be careful of a live load for that long which will be a strain.
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Totally agree, they do this day in and out. Yes it will cost you a bit more but at least you know the horses will be safe, correctly temperature regulated. The last checks, keys and bits and pieces just of the horse will be enough. Be great to get to your new house and find the horses happily settled in!
 
Maesfen said:
Personally, I would get them travelled up by Gillies in a proper wagon which will give them a much better journey and knowing Gillies they will stable overnight at theirs then continue up the next morning. You could load the trailer up with all their bits and pieces and take your time driving up to suit you rather than having to be careful of a live load for that long which will be a strain.
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Think I might investigate this option. Will take the pressure off you & you could stop for toilet breaks & refreshments without feeling guilty that horses not had leg stretch.:)
 
People i know used Gillies recently I think.
If you decide to transport yourself I would factor in one overnight stop. Then in case of traffic delays or a puncture, it won't be a nightmare.
Plan your route then look at suitable area for overnight.
Make sure you have equine breakdown cover and their passports!
 
Id highly recommend Eric Gillies from Scotland they run lorries daily up and down the Uk .
i used them 2 months ago to transport my horse from Scotland to North Wales she arrived fresh as a daisy and skipped off the luxurious lorry :-)
The staff in the office and the drivers are fab !
 
Diane and Richard Bowman took two of ours from Devon to north east Scotland. They went to Cumbria, had an overnight stop and went on in the morning. The Bowmans have their own yard and a lovely two horse low loading box with cctv in the back. Excellent journey and I can highly recommend them.
 
We moved from SE England to NE Scotland 5 years ago so you have good taste. :-)))))) you will love it!!

Mine came in one journey, it was supposed to be two with an overnight stop but there were such bad gales forecast that they had to press on. They were licensed for longer journeys and did make rest stops.

I didn't use Gillies only as I didn't want them mixing with strange horses as older horse had recently recovered from long standing illness and couldn't risk him catching anything. Also the journey was long and I didn't want it lengthened by detours to drop off other horses. And finally cos our access might not have got their lorry up and I wanted door to door as it is a steep hill for old chap to manage to walk up after such a long journey.

However if those considerations hadn't applied, I would certainly have used Gillies over any other transporter and would recommend them.

The horses were fine en route although they didn't eat much of anything, they were no problem. Old chap had a relapse a few weeks later but think that was unrelated and he recovered and being up here with lots of good grass and space has done him the power of good, he is now 20 and in very good form!

What bit of NE Scotland are you heading to? We are Aberdeenshire in the hills near Aboyne.
 
amymay said:
Defra guidelines restrict travelling to a maximum of 8 hours.

I would absolutely second Gillies.
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This is not the case re the hours with many of the big proper transporters like Gillies.

If the transporter has the higher level authorisation and appropriate vehicle, they can transport over 8 hours up to 24 hours providing liquids and resT if needed are provided every 8 hours.

See full info on this and all aspects of the UK welfare in transport rules for horses and ponies here
http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/resources/000/263/145/PB12544c.pdf
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
We moved from SE England to NE Scotland 5 years ago so you have good taste. :-)))))) you will love it!!

Mine came in one journey, it was supposed to be two with an overnight stop but there were such bad gales forecast that they had to press on. They were licensed for longer journeys and did make rest stops.

I didn't use Gillies only as I didn't want them mixing with strange horses as older horse had recently recovered from long standing illness and couldn't risk him catching anything. Also the journey was long and I didn't want it lengthened by detours to drop off other horses. And finally cos our access might not have got their lorry up and I wanted door to door as it is a steep hill for old chap to manage to walk up after such a long journey.

However if those considerations hadn't applied, I would certainly have used Gillies over any other transporter and would recommend them.

The horses were fine en route although they didn't eat much of anything, they were no problem. Old chap had a relapse a few weeks later but think that was unrelated and he recovered and being up here with lots of good grass and space has done him the power of good, he is now 20 and in very good form!

What bit of NE Scotland are you heading to? We are Aberdeenshire in the hills near Aboyne.
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We are moving to Mulben, Moray :)
and thanks every one else for Gillies , contacted tehm teh otehr day and there prices are really good! its £720 to transport my 2 (16.3hh TB and a 14hh arab mix) up to scotland.
 
Nice and wooded there for lots of good riding, I reckon!! Hope the move goes well :-)))

Do you do stuff with the horses ?(Arab mix sounds like a shoe in for Highland or Grampian endurance pleasure rides!)
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
Nice and wooded there for lots of good riding, I reckon!! Hope the move goes well :-)))

Do you do stuff with the horses ?(Arab mix sounds like a shoe in for Highland or Grampian endurance pleasure rides!)
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We do infact compete endurance from time to time :) so might have a crack at a few of them when they horses are settled in :)
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
Ooh brilliant! Might see you at an occasional Grampian ride then! I ride a Tango pony (Haflinger mare) called Liesel! May even get to ride her more now the snows have finally gone!
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Will keep an eye out for you :) The pony i compete is Light bay mare whos an Arab cross called Zarria :) and Hopefully you can since the snow is gone :)
 
Well welcome to NE Scotland when you get here ;)

You could do it in a oner, just make sure you stop a few times obviously to give them water / refill haynets etc. We've gone down to competitions down south a few times (up to 10 hours), generally we've stopped half way and taken the horse off the trailer to stretch his legs and nibble some grass for half an hour - but of course only do this if its safe (ie. dont do it if if your horses aren't trustworthy!). Its easily doable, just a bit boring for everyone!

Gillies are good however the one thing I hate about them is that they dont allow haynets so basically your horses go very hungry... on such a long journey IMO its colic waiting to happen and how terribly boring for the horses!
 
Eric Gillies are fab! We have used them twice to transport horses down from Scotland to Leicester. They were picked up on the Friday, had a weekend stay at their yard and we brought to Leicester on the Monday. Both horses arrived fresh as daisies :)
 
Gillies moved my two last September from Leicestershire to Perthshire, with an overnight stop. Both the 32 year old and the 17hh idiot who hates travelling came off the box fine and I was certainly more relaxed than if I'd driven them myself.
 
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