Relocating my ponies?

Question

Has anyone had any experience relocating large animals cross country. Cars...furniture..clothes...dishes..thos... can all be replaced. I have two horses, a large dog, and a cat and I just wanted to put my feelers out. I would only be relocating for a little over a year cause he only has 15 months left so I even wonder if it would be worth the stress to my horses to lugg the them whole way out there. That and Fort Lewis doesn't have any boarding facilites..which is simply...crazy.....so I would have to find boarding....would it be worth it. Just looking for opinions.

Answer 1

I moved myself, my horses and my dog 2000 miles across the country with no problems at all..  one of the horses was 19, the other 11.  the younger one is very senstive and a bit of a worry wart, but the older one is very solid and calm/cool, and the younger one adores him... i moved them myself, packing up everything i owned into the bed of my truck and packing the horses into a gooseneck trailer.  I could have made the trip in an easy 3 days, but I like to explore and goof off, so it took me 5 days.  I found places to stay along the way (that had overnight boarding), and it was an easy, relaxing trip.  Before i left i found a place for my horses to stay when i reached my destination, but i actually did NOT have a place to stay, and lived out of my truck at rest stops with my dog! (that was fun!).

I took my time on the trip, taking it easy at any difficult places, stopping frequently so they could rest and have water (they always had hay). i only took them out at the places we were staying a for the night, but every night they got off the trailer really relaxed, and loaded with no problem at all the next morning.  there was one night where we didnt have a place to stay and they spent the night in the trailer and had no problems at all (it was a stock trailer, with each horse having an 8x8 section to themselves, and they werent tied, with thick bedding and lots of hay).  we got to our destination and they just chilled out and started eating, and within a day or two it was like they had been there forever.

I have had to move my horses to different facilities several times (finally own my own place so we aint leaving for a long time!), and they have always settled in within a day or so.  the few days spent moving and settling in are nothing compared to all the time you can have them with you and know they are cared for.  horses have an amazing compacity for adjustment, if you just let them do it.  the only real problem in the move is if you have to hire someone to do it.  I have heard some horror stories, but there are also some wonderful shippers out there

Answer 2

Hello,

My input:

Well, I have purchased all of our horses online and they have been shipped as far as 2300 miles to get to us.  IT is NOT a big deal.

Most take a couple of days to settle in and then in about a week are good as before they left.  

I WOULD never lease out any of our horses unless I personally knew the people before and had seen them riding and how they treat horses prior to my even considering them to lease my horse.  I wouldn't want to take a chance of a random person caring and riding my horses.  Or better put; caring and riding them correctly!

I WOULDN'T worry too much about shipping them.  It isn't really a big deal.  Just list the haul on UShip.com  YOU are not committed to anything and it will give you an idea of the cost to move them.

Answer 3

No put Them Out On Loan For 15 Months Be Easier that way you can still keep in touch and know how they are doing with out the stress of taking them with you. =]

Just out of question how big are they?

Answer 4

I have relocated many horses for others, including myself.

Its very nerve rattling to know that an older horse has to be moved to a new location, to which you know nothing about other than what the owner has so graciously shared with you.  So I understand your concern. Maybe there is a neighbor who would keep your older horse for you. I hate that idea but it might be the right thing for the horse.

I personally moved my older horse with me, at first he had to stay in a boarding facility, which was NOTHING like the owner told me... I quickly found another facility closer to me, and LOVE it. I am a horse lover and would do anything to keep him with me.

I wish you luck!!!