Essentials
on Air travel for Horses
We
provide state-of-the-art stables for your Friesian horse in transit,
indoor and outdoor international-size riding arenas, tread mills to
exercise your horse during a layover or a walker if that's your choice.
We also provide good accomodation for your flight attendants or grooms
to rest in and a Vet clinic in case the horse needs medical attention.
Modern, well insured horse lorries with qualified drivers provide transport
services across every destination in Europe.
Our unique ground service is coordinated with air flights, allowing
the same individuals to accompany your horse throughout the whole transport
process. This allows the flight attendant to get to know your horse
before the air transport.
Before and after the flight your horse will get its normal food, with
plenty of water to drink as conditioned air in the plane might dehydrate
them.
Owners have a tendency to deliver their horses with rugs that are too
thick, whereas the temperature in the freight compartment of the plane
is kept around a comfortable 18.0 Celsius.
An
animal steward determines at the airport the combination in which horses
will board the plane. It is considered essential that the horses feel
themselves comfortable. Often the same flight attendant travel on the
plane to make the horses feel at home as much as possible. Only if they
are absolutely quiet and at ease, the animal steward will release them
to board the plane.
The
horses will board their stable pallet at the airport, allowing them
enough time to get familiar with their new stable before they are put
in the freight compartment of the plane by a big forklift.
The biggest stable pallets fit only in Boeing 747 combi freighters with
passengers in front and horses and any other 
freight
in the back of the plane. In other cases normal cargo freighters will
be used.
As
a rule, horses will only travel with their heads pointing forward. The
animal steward and flight attendants are located just in front of the
freight compartment and are always 'stand by' in case a problem or an
emergency develops.
During the flight the animal steward stays in close contact with the
captain on the weather conditions. The reaction of horses on turbulence
is not the biggest worry, as the 
average
horse trailer usually provides a more 'bumpy' ride.
On
the other hand horses can be prone to jetlag. Usually they do not get
the dip upon arrival like human beings but only after a couple of weeks
after the flight. It is therefore strongly recommended to transport
horses who have to compete only just before the tournament.
Before
the horse can travel a lot of administrative requirements should be
completed. A veterinary inspection is required, the horse's papers must
be verified and customs documentation 
should
be prepared. This is a complex and time consuming process requiring
professional handling.
For
you peace of mind, we are therefore more than happy to provide this
service for you. Upon arrival in the country of destination the animal
steward will take care of delivery of the horses to their foreign representative
who will take care for the administrative process over there.
Depending on the country the horses often have to go into quarantine
for a pre-determined period before they can be transported to their
happy new owner!
The number of horses whom are transported by air is growing significantly.
Nowadays around 4,500 horses per annum are transported to more than
49 destinations around the world. About half this number is for export
purposes.
Some
typical examples of horse transports by air are: Trotters and Quarter
horses from the USA, sport horses of traveling teams, dressage horses
(including Friesians) to the United States of America, racing horses
to Australia, polo horses from Argentina and thorough breeds from Great
Britain. 70.0% is export (half USA), 30.0% is import (of which 20.0%
polo).
Air
travel for horses, unless given in hands of professionals, is: a safe
and efficient way to get your horse at its place of destination; a modern,
reliable form of transport where your horse is given maximum care and
attention during the whole journey; considered no more stressful than
your horse being transported in a horse trailer.
Talk
to us about your requirements
We only work on your behalf with professional, reliable Livestock Agents
and Air Carriers to ensure you and your horse receive the highest level
of service and care.
Please
click to send your e-mail
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