What’s The Average Cost To Transport A Horse?

There are a number of different options to choose from when transporting a horse. The one you choose will depend upon the distance you need to cover, the amount of time and money you have to do it and any special considerations you may have regarding your horses’ age and condition.

When it comes to transporting horses, skimping is never a good idea. You want to be sure your horse is safe and comfortable throughout any trip. In this article, we discuss some of the important considerations, including the cost of transporting a horse. Read on to learn more.

Having Your Own Rig Can Be The Most Cost Effective Choice

It’s easy to see that the cost of horse transport is very dependent upon the type of transport you choose.

If you travel with your horse often, you will probably get the most value for your money by investing in a good vehicle and horse trailer.

Depending on how good you are at bargaining, what you need and what’s available, you could end up spending as little as a thousand dollars on a horse trailer or as much as fifty-thousand dollars.

With this sort of do-it-yourself horse transport, you’ll have a large initial layout of cash, but having your own transportation and, potentially, your own sleeping quarters, a stall, feed and tack storage for your horse and so on will end up saving you a great deal of money if you and your horse travel frequently.

If the trip is a one-off, hire a professional. If you are not used to driving a large vehicle and pulling a heavy trailer, you wouldn’t want to make this kind of investment for a single (or infrequent) long trip.

If you are moving a long distance, for example, you’ll be better off hiring a professional to transport your horse.

What Are The Pros & Cons Of Hiring Professional Horse Transport?

Hiring a professional can be a bit expensive, but it will give you some peace of mind knowing that your horse is in good hands and that you will not be hit with any surprise expenses or emergency situations along the way.

When you hire a pro, you have some assurance that your horse will arrive safely, and the move should be thoroughly insured.

Generally speaking, when you hire a professional equine transporter, you can be fairly sure that the cost will be between one and three dollars a mile over ground.

The cost of having your horse professionally transported should include fresh water and free-feed hay throughout the trip.

Professional horse transporters usually charge by the mile and may also charge extra for specialized care, extra rest layovers and other unusual circumstances.

Example Of An Average Cost Of Horse Transport

For example, if a horse owner wants to transport a horse from Iowa to Kansas, the cost of transport can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances.

To calculate the average cost of transporting a horse, several factors need to be considered. These include:

1. Distance of transport: The distance between Iowa and Kansas is approximately 400 miles. This will affect the cost of transport, as the further the horse is transported, the more it will cost.
2. Mode of transport: Horses can be transported by trailer or by air. Trailers are typically cheaper than air transport, but air transport is faster and less stressful for the horse.
3. Size of horse: The size of the horse will also affect the cost of transport, as larger horses require larger trailers or more space on an airplane.
4. Type of horse: The type of horse, such as a racehorse or a show horse, will affect the cost of transport, as some horses may require special accommodations or equipment during transport.
5. Weight of horse: The weight of the horse will also affect the cost of transport, as heavier horses will require larger trailers or more space on an airplane.

Based on these factors, the average cost of transporting a horse from Iowa to Kansas could be anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

However, it is important to note that the cost of transport can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances, so it is always best to get a quote from a professional horse transport company.

What’s The Best Way To Transport A Horse Internationally?

For international or very lengthy domestic transport, flying is the best choice. Of course, you’ll need to locate a company that specializes in international horse transport.

When flying a horse, your cost will depend on a wide variety of factors including the locations of both the departure point and the destination.

Additionally, some providers offer varying levels of care in transit. If you plan to fly your horse, you can expect costs to range from a couple of thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars for a one-way trip.

How Can I Be Sure My Horse Is Safe While Traveling?

If you are going to hire a horse transport company, be sure to check reputation and references. You want to be sure that your horse will arrive at its destination safely and stress free.

Make sure that the company you choose has verifiable references, an in-force insurance policy and an overall good vibe.

Make sure the person who will be caring for your horse in transit actually knows how to handle horses.

You can get good recommendations for a horse transport company by talking with other horse owners. An online search can also yield good results.

Don’t go with the first recommendation you get. Research a number of different providers. Take time to visit their physical address, inspect their equipment, review their paperwork and insurance policies and meet with them personally.

It’s a good idea to become familiar with several horse transport companies in advance of actually needing to book a trip.

When you take the time to familiarize yourself with several different horse transport companies, you avoid the possibility of having to rush around and do all your research last minute. Making hasty decisions can be very costly.

What Do I Need To Do To Prepare My Horse For Transport?

Before sending your horse anywhere by land, air or sea, you must be sure the animal is healthy.

You’ll need to have your vet examine your horse and perform blood work to be sure your horse is not carrying a communicable disease.

You’ll need to include the costs of exams and blood work in your budget.

You may need to arrange to have your horse quarantined for a specified period upon arrival at the chosen destination. There can be fees associated with this.

Quarantine time can provide your horse with valuable recuperating and recovery time after the trip.

You can be sure your horse will have the least stressful trip possible if you can familiarize him or her with the accommodations.

If your horse is traveling by trailer, let the animal become familiar with the trailer a few days before setting out.

Practice loading and unloading so that everything will go smoothly when it’s time to load up and head out.

Good planning will help facilitate every aspect of horse transport. When you take the time to work with your horse and accustom him or her to loading and unloading, as well as traveling, you save everyone a lot of time and trouble.

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