Advertisement: International horse transport is a crucial component of the global equine industry, facilitating the movement of horses across borders for various purposes such as competitions, breeding, and sales. This specialized transportation process requires meticulous planning, adherence to strict regulations, and the expertise to ensure the well-being and safety of the horses during their journeys. With the increasing globalization of the equestrian sector, international horse transport plays a vital role in connecting breeders, trainers, and enthusiasts worldwide, promoting the exchange of valuable bloodlines and contributing to the industry’s growth on a global scale.
In this article, you will learn everything about this important topic and we will present you EHS, a professional international company for horse transport.
Table of Contents
Different kinds of international horse transport
There are two main types of international horse transportation: By air and by road.
Air transport involves shipping horses by airfreight in cargo airplanes. The horses are being laoded in an airstall and are accompanied by a professional equine flight attendant (groom). Shipping horses by air involves a complex process that requires careful planning and coordination. The process includes meeting health requirements of the destination country, transporting horses in specially designed horse boxes with food and water, monitoring their health and well-being throughout the journey, and handling customs and border protection paperwork for legal compliance. Shipping horses by air requires expertise and experience to ensure the safety and well-being of the horses during transport.
Road transport is done by truck or trailer, and is used for shorter distances on the mainland or to the UK and Ireland (via the ferry Calais/Dover).
The trucks have specially designed trailers for the health and safety of the horse. EHS for example has three big trucks, one small trailer and two twohorsetrucks, to arrange all road transportation within Europe.
By providing both transportation options, EHS offers the possibility to offer a door-to-door service, including all the paperwork and health requirements.
How do you transport a horse by air?
Air transport involves shipping horses by airfreight in cargo airplanes. The horses are being laoded in an airstall and are accompanied by a professional equine flight attendant (groom). Shipping horses by air involves a complex process that requires careful planning and coordination.
International horse transport: The medical part
Of course, a horse needs to be in good health before traveling and meet all the requirements from the country of import.
Together with a veterinarian, EHS makes sure the horses have all the correct vaccinations, blood testing and other requirements. When shipping mares and/or stallions, additional CEM tests also need to be considered in some countries (e.g., Canada, USA, etc.).
When shipping horses to another continent, there is often a quarantine requirement before the flight, and/or upon arrival. EHS has an approved quarantine and isolation facility, which is a strong asset. EHS works closely with veterinary professionals to ensure that the horses are healthy and fit for travel. The company must follow strict quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, which may involve isolating the horses for a period of time before they are allowed to travel.
EHS makes traveling as comfortable as possible for horses.
Bureaucratic part
The bureaucratic part of flying horses international involves dealing with a range of regulations and paperwork related to customs, quarantine, and transportation. These regulations can vary from country to country, and even between different regions within a country.
Firstly, EHS must collaborate with the airline to secure the necessary permits and clearances for transporting live animals. These permits may include documentation of the horse’s health status, vaccination records, and other requirements mandated by the airline or the countries of origin and destination.
Secondly, EHS must work with customs and border protection agencies to ensure that the horses can enter and exit different countries legally. This can involve obtaining import and export permits, meeting health requirements, arranging export documents and complying with quarantine regulations.
Additionally, EHS must ensure that the horses are transported in accordance with international animal welfare standards. This may include providing comfortable and safe transportation facilities, ensuring that the horses have access to food and water during the journey, and monitoring their well-being throughout the journey.
How much does horse air transport cost?
The rates of the airfreight can vary depending on a variety of factors such as the destination, the airline, the duration of the flight, and period of the year. Other costs may include veterinary fees, import and export fees, and transportation costs to and from the airport.
Costs of international horse transport
The rates of the airfreight can vary depending on a variety of factors such as the destination, the airline, the duration of the flight, and period of the year. Other costs may include veterinary fees, import and export fees, and transportation costs to and from the airport. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with complying with regulations, quarantine and obtaining permits for the transport of live animals.
For example, shipping a horse from the UK to Canada, the costs may be higher due to the long distance and associated expenses such as fuel and customs fees.
Similarly, transporting a horse within Europe (e.g., from Germany to Belgium), the costs are lower compared to airfreight. However, factors such as the distance and mode of transportation can still impact the overall cost.
Overall, the cost of horse transport will depend on a variety of factors and can vary widely. It is important to work with a reliable and experienced transport provider who can provide a clear understanding of the costs involved and help you make informed decisions about the transportation of your horse.
To give you an estimate:
Be aware these prices are based on passed flights. Costs can vary due to the irregular prices of airlines because of demand for cargo space and fuel prices.
For a gelding flying from EHS to Miami, the price is approximately €9.650. This rate includes lab charges for blood testing, export health papers to the USA, Customs documents, Transportation from the EHS facilities to Schiphol Amsterdam (AMS airport), flight to Miami, arrival charges and 3 days of USDA quarantine.
For a gelding from EHS to New York (JFK airport) the price is approximately €8.500. This rate also includes the same services, except the trucking is to Liege Airport (LGG) instead of Amsterdam.
For a gelding from EHS to Sao Paulo, Brazil (VCP airport), the price is approximately €9.950. This includes 21 days of quarantine at the EHS facilities, lab charges for blood testing, preparation of the health papers, customs documents, sealing and unsealing of the truck by an official ministry veterinarian, transportation from EHS to Luxembourg (LUX airport) and the flight to Sao Paulo.
For a gelding to Calgary, Canada (YYC airport), the price is approximately €8.450. This rate includes 7 days isolation at the EHS facilities, vet and lab charges for bloodwork, export and health certificate for Canada, customs documents for export, transport from EHS to Luxemburg (LUX airport) and the flight to Calgary.
Horses can be transported by air by plane or by land by truck. Horse transportation companies, such as EHS, offer such services
Time investment
Shipping horses internationally by air requires a significant time investment due to the complex planning and coordination involved. It is important to research and understand the regulations and requirements for transporting live animals to the destination country.
This includes obtaining the necessary health certificates, blood tests, vaccinations, and other paperwork. Additionally, the horses may need to be quarantined for a period of time prior to travel. Quarantine protocols vary by country and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the destination. The transport itself also takes time, as the horses must be loaded onto the plane and transported to the final destination.
Ultimately, It is important to consider these aspects when planning equine transportation and account for all these factors to ensure a safe and smooth journey for the horse. By doing so, you can minimize any potential stress and ensure a successful transportation experience.
International horse transport: Checklist
What are the things you should get done to fly your horse? Here you can find our huge checklist:
- Get in contact with a specialized transport agent that knows the required procedures to fly to the final destination.
- Once you’ve contacted an agent, they will tell you when you can fly and what the rate will be. Note, only a number of certified agents such like EHS can book equine transportation directly with the airlines.
- Make sure the vaccination record is in order for the destination you are flying to. This varies per destination.
- Make sure you get the required blood and CEM tests done on time. Do this in consultation with your agent because the rules vary depending on the destination.
- When it comes to quarantine, some countries do not require any, and others several weeks. The duration of the quarantine also varies from the sex of the horse. Stallions and mares may require longer quarantine.
- Make sure the official health certificates are signed by a ministry veterinarian. Your agent will take care of the import/export permits.
- Deliver the horse at the airport, by the time and placing given from your agent.
- Ready for take-off!
Who is EHS?
European Horse Services is a company located in Belgium, close to Bruges. They’re specialized in the international transport of horses by road and air. The company was founded 32 years ago by Filip Vande Cappelle, a leading figure in the transport industry. Over the years, the company has grown from a small-scale business to a team of specialized logistics professionals.
The main strength of EHS is being able to offer a complete door-to-door service, with the safety and health of your horse being our main priority.
Sounds exciting and you want to learn more about EHS and its services? Then click on the banner now and inform yourself without obligation!
