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Discussion on Advice on hauling 3 horses from Colorado to Florida
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 12:20 pm:
Hi all,
My neighbor (and former HA member) Wanda is relocating to Florida. We live just south of the Denver metro area.
I was wondering if someone had advice for reputable haulers.
I know we have a member who is in the business - but Wanda needs her horses (3 quarter horses) hauled in September - she does not have too much flexibility as far as scheduling.
I have no idea what a reasonable cost would be, either.
Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Lilo
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Member:
gramsey1
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 12:57 pm:
https://www.brookledge.com/services.html
These guys have an office not far from our home, in Oley PA. I called them once, very nice people. I ended up not need to use them.
Looks like the from-to connections are good.
I bet it is expensive.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 1:17 pm:
Hi Lilo,  I don't see you since I haven't been showing in Denver the last couple of years.
Having met Walt and Cyndy, I'd trust Walt with my life. I don't know their costs or schedule, but I've never met a hauler more concerned with the well being of the horses.
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 1:52 pm:
Sara, thank you. He loves what he does and I think we're pretty good at it. And if I have horses to go east from Colorado, maybe I can get him to leave a bit early and stowe Tuffy and me on board to Cedar City. You guys share a border, that should be close enough, right????? LOL
I came to HA to learn, to play 'catch up' with Walt's education since he had been doing this for decades and I came late to horse life. I have gotten so much more than the education I had hoped for. I got friends for life and some good customers as well! Unanticipated bonuses.
Have Wanda call me or email and I will find a way to work her into the schedule if she wants us to do so. HA'ers have family status. I just need to know the towns at both ends so I can get to work on the rest. We have hauled a few times for Martha, for Melissa and for Julie's friend.
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 2:14 pm:
I just thought of something...gosh, Lilo, you and Wanda have been good friends for so long, you're gonna miss her! Hope you have reliable help so you can get to Fla often! the weather is a HUGE plus!
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 2:36 pm:
Would LOVE it if you two could make it, Cyndy! Did a practice dutch oven for our neighbors last night and it turned out great! Dutch oven potatoes, home-grown tomatoes with basil, balsamic and olive oil; Memphis style ribs; water melon; Monkey bread; and dutch oven peach cobbler. Margaritas, beer and wine, of course! Don't feed Walt for a meal or two,then talk about the food. 
Anyone else that decides last minute they can come, "give a holler!" Love to have you.
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 3:41 pm:
Walt delivered two horses to Boise, Idaho from Virginia for my friend earlier this year. Those two horses got off the trailer looking like they'd had a week of spa treatment. They really were't that anxious to get off! They were relaxed, fit and perky. And I got to meet Walt. Ditto to what Sara says!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 4:33 pm:
Lilo I would suggest to get Walt and Cyndy if possible, my friend used a different hauler that had VERY good reviews and it was a total nightmare!
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 5:14 pm:
Thank you all so much for your quick responses. I just knew I would get some help here.
In the mean time Wanda has found a hauler she is comfortable with - and not as high as the first estimate she got. The horses will be in box stalls, and it is an air-ride. I forgot the name, but she did some research on the company and apparently they have never had a complaint.
It was Walt and Cyndy I was thinking of - just could not remember the name.
Yes, Cyndy - I will miss Wanda a lot!!!!!! We have had many good rides together, and at the beginning of summer she helped me when I needed to re-train the gelding on water crossings.
Unfortunately - she broke her foot in June, so we missed most of the summer. She is determined to get back on a horse this week, but healing has been awfully slow. Two years ago it was I who was sidelined with the broken foot. So I know what that is like.
Anyway - hopefully she will be able to tag along on some of her husband's business trips, and she could ride Moonlight any time she wanted. I would trust her with any of my horses - but, unfortunately the gelding has turned two of my friends away from riding for good - I just don't want to take a chance on that.
Again - thanks to you all. I sent Wanda this link, so I think she can look at the posts.
Lilo
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2010 - 9:02 pm:
Sara - yes, that was a fun day when Wanda and I went to the Denver events center and met you and your two wonderful stallions. So beautiful, and so well mannered!
Cyndy - I am sorry that Wanda apparently has made arrangements, so can't take advantage of your generous offer. I was not aware that she was planning to ship the horses so early. She wants to get them settled in their new home and then come back to take care of the rest of the animals and the household goods, selling the house etc. etc. There is so much work in moving!
Thanks again, all, for your advice,
Lilo
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 4:45 pm:
WOW GUYS!!! thanks for the snaps! I may link this thread to the testimonial page on our website lol (still in progress). I hope Wanda's kids have an uneventful trip.
Walt was pretty tired today and a little dejected. I read the thread to him and it perked him right up. I like it when I can hear the smile in his voice.
Still working on finding someone who needs a barnful of horses going to Utah in Sept... what are the dates again?
The dutch oven dish sounds GREAT!!!.Lord, what I wouldn't give to be sitting around the pool sucking down margaritas and swapping stories with you guys! That amazing Wine Warehouse out by the Wally World... good Lord!!!! Do you ever watch that cowboy cooking show on RFDTV??? Sure makes me want to be somewhere I could do that stuff. Out by us, they just fry everything. I mean EVERYTHING... oreos, twinkies, your shoes, their young....maybe I will look up Corinne's corn bread pudding for tonight... Beth would LOVE that!Lost the recipe when the hard drive crashed. Hope the search button finds it!
How about you guys post recipes from the dinners you make at Sara's. I could learn a few things from her!and that arena....(I looked,there is no smiley face for DrOoling in an indoor arena).
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 5:32 pm:
Cyndy, I also answered you on the get-together thread. Dates are Sept 8th - 13th with dutch oven dinner on the 11th. Would LOVE to have you and Walt! Work it out, g.f.!! I haven't seen the RFD-TV cooking show. I'll have to watch it. Lonnie and I both are all caught up in the Food Channel. I have hopes he'll actually learn to cook!
Hey! A members recipe swap thread! Great idea! (Poor Dr.O. He's wondering why he lets a few of us on here probably!)
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 6:36 pm:
Cyndy, I don't know if you found the thread, but I saved the recipe!
Posted by Corinne Candice on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 - 9:09 am:
Ok in honor of Cyndy (of Cyndy and Walt) I am reposting my Mom's
recipe of
Corn Bread Casserole
1 can of drained corn
1 can of creamed corn
1 8 oz box of jiffy corn bread mix
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 stick of melted butter
Combine in mixing bowl, place in greased pan in preheated oven at 350
degree (while chicken is in oven) for 50 minutes
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 7:09 pm:
Boy - this sounds so easy, and good! My grandsons may like this, and I am going to have them for three weekends soon.
I like the recipe exchange idea (although I have nothing to contribute, just want to learn). I just get tired of cooking sometimes, maybe, if I get some inspiration ....
I don't think Dr. O would mind - he even contributed a Thanksgiving turkey recipe a while back.
Lilo
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 7:23 pm:
  
thank you!!!!!
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 8:57 pm:
Thank you so much for reposting this! I was looking all over for it and decided it was on my laptop instead of desk top, so was about to boot it up. It will be perfect with ranch beans and wings!!
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 1, 2010 - 10:02 am:
Hi all,
This is from Wanda: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!
She read the posts with all the information and your generous offer, Cyndy, about trying to accommodate her schedule.
She does not know the exact schedule yet. She is going with Brookridge.
So, I hope it will go smoothly. It is a long trip, 3 days from here to Florida.
Everyone her will miss Wanda, her husband Gus, and her horses. They have been so involved in the community, it will be a big loss.
Lilo
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 4, 2010 - 12:44 pm:
Hi all,
Wanda wanted me to post this for her.
She ended up going with Nationwide instead of Brookridge. However, she had some issues. For one, the hauler made a detour and the horses were on the road longer than expected. Secondly, they had promised to give her plenty warning so she could be at her new boarding place when the horses arrived. They did not do that. The lady running the boarding place called her to let her know the horses were there. When she got there, she found out that the hauler had neglected to unload the hay she had sent along so she would be able to transition feed slowly.
These are the points she wanted to pass along. Of course, the horses did lose weight during the trip, but I believe that is to be expected.
On a positive note - Wanda is very happy with her boarding situation and the communication with the lady that runs the place. This is important to her, since she is still in Colorado as long as her home has not sold, and she misses her "boys".
Lilo
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 4, 2010 - 7:20 pm:
Oh my goodness, the New York B**** in me just cannot walk away from this. I tried. Ask Sara, I tried. Wanda, when you said Brookledge, I saw MAJOR $$$$, but was fairly confident in a fast and safe trip, albeit exhausting. If you had said Nationwide, I would have been jumping up & down til the house shook.
I found HA through a woman who was a member back in '06 when I first 'met' her on the phone. I was bidding on the job to haul her new horse to her from back east to SOCAL. My bid was about $200 higher than another hauler to whom she gave the job. Not only did her horse get delivered to her over a week late, but as they pulled in the driveway, the driver miscalculated the turn, went into the ditch and flipped the trailer. Every adult at the barn ran to the road to help. The 2 drivers kept them from entering the trailer, til one trainer and farrier overtook the drivers andn the others went in. The horses were clearly distressed, frantic and hurt. 'My client's' horse had 'flipped' over the divider and landed on another horse who vigorously fought to free himself. All the horses survived, although this woman had several thousand in vet bills with several months of care surgery and therapy. Lilo got lucky. VERY lucky. Those drivers were understandably shaken to the core and after their trailer was 'righted' they left without getting the final payment. Nationwide sent a bill for the full amount! I hear these stories all the time and the same outfits' names come out pretty regularly. And dehydration is NOT expected. It is entirely possible to get your horse coast to coast looking like he/she went across town rather than cross country. We do it all the time and we are not the only ones who can do this.IF you get a hauler who tells you some dehydration or weight loss is collateral damage, politely get out of the conversation and RUN. Your horse cannot tell you what went on after the fact, but his body condition will. Be there when he is picked up, Check the other horses on board, Be nosey. DO they all have hay/water in front of them? If not, DO NOT LOAD UP YOUR HORSES. How much manure is in their stall? Did they get in a clean stall this morning or have they been in that stall for several days without getting out? TRUST YOUR GUT! If a flag goes up in your head, pay attention to it. You can live with ANYTHING temporary, it is just the permanent stuff you gotta watch out for. Schedules are temporary. Your horse's health and mental outlook at hauling can be a forever problem.There are lot of haulers out there. Find the one who will take care of your kids the same way you would. That is NOT too much for you to ask.
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 4, 2010 - 9:51 pm:
Have to totally agree with Cyndy about the condition of the horses getting off the trailer. I met her husband Walt last summer when he delivered two horses here to Idaho from Virginia. Those two horses looked like they'd spent a week at a spa, not a week on the road! They weren't anxious to get off that trailer either--fresh hay and water, clean stalls and deep bedding.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Nov 5, 2010 - 12:06 am:
Ha. I see Cyndy mentioned my name. She emailed me because she wanted to comment and was concerned how her comments would be taken since she is in the business of hauling. I told her to post; who else would be better qualified.
I have used a professional hauler only once; however, I've had several horses arrive at my place that were brought by pros, and over the years I've probably hauled horses almost as much as many people in the business. I've also had my horses trailered a lot by trainers to shows. I totally agree with Cyndy.
Sadly, the horse hauling business, like just about any phase of the horse business these days, is a difficult place to make money. Expenses are high. A lot of people are driven by the need to bring in more cash, and that becomes the primary concern, not the care of the horses. They go way out of their way to try and pick up as many horses as it takes to fill the trailer so they can make more money. Often, this means other horses will have to sit in the trailer an extra one to three days, until the load is full. The horses are treated like cargo, not like the sensitive animals they are.
I've been co-driver with trainers trailering from CA to KY several times with no overnight stops, but the horses arrived in great shape. Although there were no overnight stops, we stopped for 20 mins. to half an hour every 3 hrs. like clock work so horses could stretch and pee and to check water etc. Bedding was cleaned twice a day. Fresh water and soaked cubes were in front of the horses all the time. And, the trailer was top of the line, roomy and comfortable.
With other trailers or other horses, I've stopped over night, or gotten out and walked the horses for half an hour every 3 or 4 hrs. There are ways to haul long distances with the horse looking fit and well hydrated upon arrival. When you hire someone, always look for a horse person first, then a hauler. I know a lot of outfits these days that hire drivers, not horse people.
Granted, some horses are very nervous in the trailer and won't drink or pee or eat. These horses are a concern on a long trip. But, even these horses can usually be taken care of with mild drugs, flavored water, a horse they like next to them, longer stops, etc. It's the rare case where there is good reason for a horse to DrOp weight and be in poor condition when it arrives.
Always get references from prospective haulers. It's impossible to tell from ads and phone calls how good someone is or isn't.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 5, 2010 - 6:50 am:
Every point Cyndy brings up is very true. My friend shipped her horse from NC, to here NW IL. what a nightmare. Her horse was suppose to have a straight route here but the guy detoured so many times it was ridiculous. She got here 24 hrs. late in a horrible thunderstorm at 3 AM!!!!! She was in horrible shape, very dehydrated. It took over 2 weeks to get her back to normal. She lost a bunch of weight. wouldn't hardly eat when she got here and just stood with her head hanging (she was not "sick") She has 4 VERY deep lines in all hooves from her trip.
She said when the guy got there, she didn't want to load her horse, he didn't have the trailer he said he did and a few other "red lights".
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Friday, Nov 5, 2010 - 9:27 am:
Hi all,
Thanks for your comments. Wanda wanted to let everyone know that she was not happy with Nationwide as a warning - now I see these other stories and I agree - she was lucky. Her horses are very calm generally. At least they are well taken care of now.
My comment about weight loss came because we recently got new neighbors whose horses were shipped (do not know the shipper's name) from North Carolina to Colorado, and they had lost weight, especially the older Thoroughbred. So, I thought that was to be expected.
Thanks for responding - one can never learn enough.
Lilo
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Friday, Nov 5, 2010 - 11:26 am:
I asked Wanda for permission to post a photo of her three "boys" in Florida.
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