We've all heard some horror stories associated with shipping horses. Shipping companies who won't hesitate to sell your stall at the last minute, companies that push back your departure date by a week after you're all set to go, companies that hire drivers with absolutely no horse experience, companies that just never call you back and the worst in my opinion...companies that just don't show up. When we started this company, we vowed to make sure that we would be a different kind of horse transport company. We would bring a professional approach to the entire process of transporting horses. We wanted our customer service to be the absolute best in the entire industry. We wanted our trailers to be cleaner than anyone elses. We wanted to hire the best professional drivers who were also horsemen and could load your horses, unload them, pack your tack and give you the peace of mind that so rarely comes with other companies. We set out to ensure that we could accomplish all of this and we wouldn't settle for any less. Well I am proud to say that we feel we've accomplished all of these things and more. All of our drivers are horsemen that we would trust with the most wild yearling thoroughbreds you can imagine. Our customer service is impeccable, and we know this because our recurring clients, many of which are Grand Prix riders, Olympic riders, Champion Thoroughbred and Standardbred Trainers and owners keep telling us that we are simply the best horse transport company they have ever encountered. We make sure that a team member is on call 24/7 to deal with any questions or issues you may have. We've gone and will continue to go to great lengths to allow ourselves to be known as the best. We've grown rapidly while retaining all of our original clients because we don't just meet your expectations, we focus on exceeding all of them. We utilize 15 horse air ride vans to ensure the best possible ride for your horses. We were the first company to install automatic ventilation systems in our trailers to make sure that your horses were comfortable in the almost unbearable heat of Florida. All of our trailers come equipped with cameras so that your horse are under constant surveillance during their trip. We just will not quit until you as our client are delighted. For more information, please visit www.SouthPointEquine.com, or call 1-888-864-3057 to speak to one of our representatives directly and make the right choice for yourself and your horses.

We wanted to share some articles and information we've compiled that will help you get a better understanding of what your horse experiences when it is transported. From this information it is quite clear that horses should not be shipped long distances in anything less than an air ride van, and more importantly, horses should be shipped in Box Stalls. It is proven that horses transported in Box Stalls arrive fresher than horses shipped in any other configuration. Box Stalls simply provide the most freedom for the horses and don't force them to keep their heads strapped in chains. This is so important during long trips, such as trips to Florida, that we always recommend our clients choose Box Stalls.


Factors Affecting Horses During Transport
Research has proved that horses experience significant stress associated with transport. Dr. Carolyn Stull, a researcher with University of California, has defined stress as "…adverse effects in the environment or management system which force changes in an animal's physiology or behaviour to avoid physiological malfunctioning, thus assisting the animal in coping with its environment." Dr. Stull measured horses' responses to challenges in their immediate environment by measuring physiological, biochemical, immunological, anatomical and behavioural parameters. According to Dr. Stull, "…. identifying and minimizing stressful situations allows for greater well being, health and reproductive efficiency of the horse as well as protecting its performance and economic potential."

Cold or heat stress will affect the health of younger animals more than mature, healthy horses. The thermal comfort range for horses is estimated to be between -1°C and 24°C (30-75°F). Horses can comfortably adjust to temperatures in this zone by altering hair coat, sweating, homeothermy, constricting or dilating blood vessels, or changing postures or behaviour. When temperatures fall below this range, the Lower Critical Temperature (LCT), the horse must divert food energy formerly used for performance or growth to producing metabolic heat. Add in factors such as wind and precipitation and this animal needs as much as an 80% increase in caloric requirement. This must be kept in mind when transporting horses in cold weather. Thin horses or younger stock, or horses that have been clipped, will need additional high quality feed and blankets when transported.(2)

Extremely warm temperatures of 24-32°C (75-90°F) are equally threatening, as horses cannot dissipate body heat quickly enough to maintain homeothermy. The Upper Critical Temperature (UCT) is dependent on humidity, which causes respiration and sweating mechanisms to be less effective. Feed intake will decrease and water intake must be assured to combat dehydration. Avoid travel in the warmest parts of the day and keep the trailer moving to help alleviate heat stress. (2)

The type of trailer or van in which the horse finds itself, and the flooring on which it must stand, will have an impact on the horse's stress level. Slippery floors, combined with poor driving practices, will cause a horse to ‘scramble' to maintain its balance. This is extremely stressful for the animal. The addition of rubber matting, sand, or wood shavings, will help to remedy the slippery floor problem and reduce the amount of vibration transmitted through the floorboards.

Research on the effects of transporting horses facing the front or back of the vehicle concluded that heart rates were lower on those animals facing the rear of the truck or trailer. The researchers concluded that horses were less physically stressed travelling backwards, as they tended to rest their rumps, dropping a hip, leaning over the forequarters, lowering the head and relaxing to the point of dozing off. (3) They were also better able to balance and brace themselves during transport and vocalized less than their front-facing travel mates. (4) Several other investigators, including Wentworth Tellington, and David Holmes, confirmed that horses facing backwards and untethered showed less signs of stress. (1)

Isolation from stable-mates, or combining horses with others that may be aggressive, will contribute to transportation stress. The recently released Code of Practice for the Transportation of Livestock - Horses (www.carc-crac.ca) recommends segregating stallions from all other horses when they are shipped communally. Horses with shoes on the hind feet should be separated from those that are unshod. Younger and older, infirm horses should also be transported apart from other horses. (5)

Long term stress (24-48 hr.) can influence a number of systems in the horse, including immune, digestive, and reproductive systems. It can influence hormones essential in reproduction, growth, energy, metabolism and response to disease or infection. These effects can continue for hours, or even days, after the stimulus from the stressor has been diminished or eliminated. (2)

It is not advised to administer penicillin or phenylbutazone as a prophylactic measure to combat the effects of transportation-related stress. Raidal, et al., published a paper entitled "Antibiotic prophylaxis of lower respiratory tract contamination in horses confined with head elevation for 24 or 48 hours" in a 1997 issue of the Australian Veterinary Journal. The study demonstrated that the "prophylactic administration of penicillin before or during confinement did not reliably reduce bacterial numbers or prevent the accumulation of purulent (inflammatory) lower respiratory secretions in horses confined with their heads elevated." (6)

Indiscriminate administration of antibiotics may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Phenylbutazone is not indicated unless there is an underlying medical condition and will mask a fever when used inappropriately. (1)

In Ontario, the majority of pleasure or race horses are transported short distances by horse vans or trailers, ranging from two-horse tag-a-longs to sophisticated tractor-trailer units capable of comfortably accommodating up to twenty horses. Brood mares are commonly shipped for breeding to Kentucky from Canada by commercial carriers.

It is paramount that the tow vehicle and trailer or van used to move horses are in the best repair possible. All documentation should be current and valid. Failure to pass a roadside inspection will require other arrangements to deliver the horses to their destination.