Moving is hard! Moving with horses can be really hard!
When you partner with me as your global real estate advisor, it won’t be!
Here are 15 preps and tips if you decide to haul your own horse to the great state of Arizona. Many of these tips are CRUCIAL if you are planning to haul during warmer weather.
Straight from professional hauler, Billie’s mouth:
- Know Your Horse!
- Arizona requires a current 1 year Coggins for each animal being hauled. (As compared to California where only accepts a 6 month Coggins is accepted).
- Arizona requires a 30-day health certificate from your vet.
- Have your vet check with current state requirements (because things can change in a hurry if an infectious disease pops up in a state).
- Check weather starting several days before. Be flexible in case storms are coming through.
- Install Apple or Google Maps to check on traffic as you are driving.
- Plan your route ahead to avoid big cities during traffic hours (if possible).
- Buy better quality shavings (like Swift Pick) because they are likely to be less dusty. Thicker shavings are also better because they are heavier, less dusty, not as slick, and better at keeping the HEAT from transmitting through bottom of trailer (SUPER important if you are traveling during the summer).
- If the trailer is not already insulated, insulate it by taping up foam.
- Begin giving electrolytes starting 2–3 days before your trip. This time frame works better than just giving them the day of your trip or during your trip.
- Give ulcer treatment starting 2–3 days before your trip.
- While hauling, give each horse a 5 gallon bucket filled with water (without electrolytes). If your horse doesn't drink while hauling, add Gatorade to the water.
- If possible, haul with a trailer without mangers.
- Tie the horse loose enough so he or she can drop the head to cough.
- If you have two or more drivers, you can drive straight through. The horses will be better riding than stopping and risk getting hot.
These fantastic preps and tips come from Professional Hauler, Billie Howell. Billie has been hauling horses across country since 1992. She is the person I trusted to bring my horses and donkeys from Georgia to Arizona in 2018. If you need a horsed hauled with the safety of your horse as the first priority, call Billy. If she can’t take care of you, she knows someone who can!