Ground Transport

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click any of the questions below to see the answers to the questions we are frequently asked.

• How do I pay for the trip?

  We take all major credit cards, checks, money orders, money wires, and cash. We do not take deposits. Your credit card is not run until we have communicated with the pick-up contact and planned your horse on a trip.

• How do I determine which office to call when shipping a horse?

  For all over the road shipments, please call our main office in Oley, PA. For local shipping in Kentucky, call 859-255-2706. For shipping within the state of FL, call 352-690-2000.

• What about coggins and health certificates?

  Requirements vary from state to state. When you book your shipment our dispatcher will advise you on what paperwork we will need to get you shipped. Most Coggins are good for a year, but some states require within 6 months. If you only have a copy of your coggins, it needs to be notarized; copies of Health Certificates are okay and are good for 30 days. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has the most up-to-date information on health requirements by state. Most states do suggest you contact them for any more recent updates.

• How should I determine if my horse(s) should ship in stall & 1/2 or box stall?

  A number of factors go into the decision of what size stall to ship in. The most common accommodation is the stall & 1/2. Traditionally, average sized horses of any breed or gender can ship comfortably in that configuration. Certain situations, however, are not open to conjecture. Pregnant mares, mares with nursing foals, unbroken weanlings, mini horses, breeding stallions and fractious/high strung/unbroken horses all need to ship in box stalls. Horses shipped in box stalls arrive fresher and are less inclined to have any health issues related to shipping. For more information regarding stall choice and sizing visit our Stall options.

• How much notice do you need to book a trip?

  That depends on a number of factors such as the time of year, where you are going and how many horses. Generally speaking a 7 day window is what we like to work with for our regular routes.

• What is carrier's convenience?

  We will group horses departing from/arriving to similar locations together on a van as it fits our schedule. Our staff will assist you in evaluating the frequency and timeframes of possible shipments. Even with Carrier’s Convenience shipments, we are able to accommodate desired timeframes more often than not. Please refer to our services page for regular routes of service. If your horse(s) need to ship or arrive on specific dates or time frames our staff will be happy to give you a quote for a private van.

• On a carrier's convenience ship, how will I know when the horse is scheduled to ship?

  We will call you one or two days in advance. The person booking the horse(s) to ship gives us a contact for the pickup and destination point whom we will contact regarding approximate pickup/arrivals. The contact persons given are who our dispatch is going to call to find out if your horse is ready to travel, get directions to the farm and give a pick-up/drop-off time to. If you make yourself the pick-up and/or drop-off contact it will be your responsibility to make sure the person who is actually at the farm knows the time(s) our staff gives. Please listen to messages, return all calls to Brook Ledge and get the name of the caller. Dispatch calls/sets up the vans 24-36 hours in advance. Please make sure your horse is ready with proper paperwork during the desired time frame you give Brook Ledge. Dispatch will need to reach a contact or get a return call before they will formally plan your horse on the load.

• Do you go point to point or make frequent stops between pick-up and drop off?

  All trips are expedited. Carriers convenience are generally mixed loads with various pick-up points. Invariably that means several drop-off points as well.

• Should I wrap or bandage my horses legs?

  We discourage the wrapping of legs. On long hauls the wraps can slide and cause your horse more problems than they are worth. Our drivers will unwrap but will not attempt to reset your wraps. Bell boots or shipping boots are generally fine if you are looking for protection rather than support—your horse should be accustomed to and comfortable wearing these prior to shipping. We will remove any boots in which the horses exhibit discomfort or stress from. We are happy to answer and explain further concerns over the phone.

• If there will be no one at the drop off point, will the driver put the horse in the stall?

  Someone should be there to receive the horse.

• Should I blanket my horse?

  Our drivers can regulate the temperature in the truck with ease by opening or closing windows. Horses can tolerate the cold much easier than they can tolerate the heat. We encourage sending blankets along for our drivers to put on, especially if you are leaving Southern States and heading North (or Northwest) during the winter. Various other factors, such as if the horse has been clipped, should be taken into account. Please speak to one of our representative on the phone if you have concerns regarding blanketing.
  According to article "Road Tests: How Shipping Affects Horses" by Christine Barakat as featured in the April 2000 EQUUS magazine, "Unless you are shipping in the coldest, wettest climates in an open stock trailer, the risk of horses getting too cold is minimal compared to the risks associated with stagnant air, accumulating exhaust fumes and excessive heat."

• Do you use more than one driver on long hauls?

  Yes, we always use two Class A CDL licensed drivers on each truck.

• What type of insurance do you have for the horse or is insurance available?

  $5,000 Mortality Insurance is covered on each horse. If you would like additional insurance or travel insurance for your horse, contact your existing insurance agent or check our resources page for an insurance provider.

• Do you have attendants?

  No, we have closed circuit cameras on all trucks to monitor the horses while on the road. The cameras rotate through all sections of the truck in 5 second intervals. If you wish to send your own personal attendant along, please make us aware of this prior to booking.

• What about hay and water en route?

  Hay and water are provided throughout your horse's trip. You provide hay for your horse’s trip, most horses prefer the hay to which they are accustomed. Ask our staff how much you should send for your horses trip if you are unsure.