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  Discussion on Advice regarding the hiring of professional horse haulers
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New Member:
Scobb

Posted on Sunday, Dec 17, 2006 - 12:50 am:

BEWARE OF ALLSTATE HORSE EXPRESS! We hired this company to transport our horse from Michigan to California, with a three-day layover in Colorado Springs. On Tuesday, December 11, just 1.5 hours north of his final destination, the driver made a careless decision that resulted in severe injury and trauma to two of the four horses on the trailer. One of the injured horses was ours. The driver had panicked 1/2-way up a hill, and had decided to back the 8-horse slant load trailer down and around a narrow, windy, rock & tree-lined decline. According to witnesses and three attending veterinarians, this was a needless, irresponsible decision on the part of the driver. The AllState Horse Express drivers kept telling everyone how exhausted they were, and how much of a hurry they were in, and how "we don't get paid if we're not drivin'". The driver asked the vets how much money she owes them... but now it looks like Allstate is assuming no responsibility. My insurance does not cover their negligence. The veterinarians agree that their trailer is archaic and unsafe for hauling horses. The stall dividers are metal flaps that go to 6" above the floor, thus preventing the horses from regaining their footing in circumstances such as what happened to the two horses on Tuesday. I thought I had hired a company that guaranteed two drivers; one sleeps while the other drives, a company that claims to clean out the shavings every 24 hours, and a company that claims to care about the horses. My horse was so dehydrated at the time of the incident and the vets gave him 23 liters of IV fluids including DMSO (he had severe head trauma), Bute, Banamine, and Dexamethazone. One of the veterinarians offered to transport our horse the 2 hour drive to bring him to us when he had recovered enough to travel, so he is home with us now. Our vet is concerned about bone fractures and soft tissue injury, and possible neurological damage - the horse continues to get Dexamethazone and bute daily, standing wraps.
We have heard nothing from Allstate; no apologies, nothing. I just read the other post about another unsatisfied Allstate Horse Express customer. Her horse had the same injuries when the driver slammed on the brakes after missing a driveway; the horses lose their footing and their legs slide under the 6" space underneath the partitions.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Sunday, Dec 17, 2006 - 9:11 am:

Thank you for the "heads-up," Sally, and welcome to The Horseman's Advisor.
All-State was one of the many companies I researched before I shipped my horses from VT to CO almost four years ago . . . I chose to go with a private hauler on recommendation from a friend, and I was NOT disappointed. My horses had draft-horse sized stalls and one had a box stall, and the trailer was extremely clean and well-bedded. The hauler stopped at two very clean and safe places along the way (I was caravaning with him, so got to see the places) and my horses arrived with absolutely no ill-effects. I have used the fellow twice since then, and he often makes the trip from KS to TX to So. CA, to No. CA to CO . . . if you ever want to ship a horse to CA again, please e-mail me, and I will put you in touch with him. He has since gotten an even newer trailer and has a video set-up so he can monitor the horses as he's driving. An excellent driver and horseman who has become a good friend, too.
Member:
Sjeys

Posted on Sunday, Dec 17, 2006 - 10:22 am:

Call the local show barns and see whom they use; that will tell you who to use. I've used All State (once) and wouldn't repeat the experience. My husband was home when they picked up the horses (in the dark) and they tried to make a turn into our driveway (even though we told them there was a better way in to the property 1/4 of a mile down); couldn't make the turn, got stuck, had to unload the horses they had including a stallion...I wish I'd been there because I would have stopped it right there. It showed a lot of bad judgment just to try and make that turn into the driveway.

I've used Equine Express half a dozen times for long hauls (the last time, my 4 horses got their very own rig) and that's who the local show barns use as well.

Sadly, you *must* check out the rig and driver when they get there, don't rely on the web page. I've also found that you get what you pay for. Equine Express isn't cheap, but I know my horses will be in good shape. One of my horses took hours to load and they were so patient with him I was impressed.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Dec 17, 2006 - 11:17 am:

I have a friend who ships each year from West to East Coasts. She has used Equine Express for many years and has always been happy with them.

I, too, thank you for the heads up Sally.
New Member:
Scobb

Posted on Sunday, Dec 17, 2006 - 2:43 pm:

Thanks for the feedback. It seems that Allstate Express has their game down pat. The first two drivers picked up our horse from a barn in Michigan, and the barn owner (a gal who rode with Todd Minicus for years and knows what she's talking about) called me when the horse was on his way. She told me that she was so impressed with these drivers AND the trailer/rig. The shavings were clean and a foot high, all the horses had clean water in front of them, and these drivers showed some good horse sense and knowledge in the way they took the time to get to know my horse in the barn before loading him, and how they took their time skillfully and patiently unloading a young filly before loading my horse. She was so impressed and my mind was completely at ease. Unfortunately the Allstate Horse Express drivers who pick up the horses are NOT the same drivers who take them from Colorado Springs, where all their hauls have a three-day layover. The lady who owns the barn where our horse came from said that if those initial drivers had driven the entire haul, this never would have happened. Apparently the company has some good drivers and some incompetent ones. As far as pricing, Allstate Horse Express is middle of the road pricing. I got quotes anywhere from $850 to $1,800 (Hubbard was really expensive), and Allstate was in the middle. I had heard great things about them, but now I know better, obviously, from firsthand experience. I hope there is something I can do to prevent future equine injuries caused by this company.
Member:
Kathleen

Posted on Sunday, Dec 17, 2006 - 3:09 pm:

Hubbard may be expensive, but I've hauled cross country many times with them and have never had a problem. They are probably the best of the big professionals. The one Holly uses (above) is excellent. She told me about him when I was in bind to bring a horse from Nebraska to Texas and he was really excellent - from preparation to unloading her here. I used Equine Express one time about 10 years ago and sent three horses from San Antonio to Virginia. They all got there either sick or injured. That seems to be a fluke with this hauler, but I could not recommend them because of what happened to my horses.
Kathleen
New Member:
Scobb

Posted on Sunday, Dec 17, 2006 - 7:34 pm:

Regarding Hubbard: We had a horrible experience with Hubbard Transportation in 2002. We hired Hubbard to haul an 8-month old Hanoverian filly from Toronto, Canada, to California, and I believe Perry's Transport started the haul into the states, and Hubbard took over the rest of the trip. She arrived missing the 8 bales of special Timothy mix the seller had paid to have delivered with her, and she was severely dehydrated, snotty nose, etc., and was sick for several weeks. I have never hauled a horse this young, this far across country, so maybe I should feel lucky that she at least arrived in one piece? I, too, have had many referrals to Hubbard, but this was my only experience. Another hauler, Gail Murphy (www.murphyspets.com) seems to really care about the horses, and she will feed electrolytes when needed, stops every night for six hours of sleep, travels with a partner all the time, and knows vets across the country she will use when a horse needs to be oiled, etc. I have only used her on short hauls. Has anyone out there had experience with Gail Murhpy Hauling?
Member:
Aewheele

Posted on Monday, Dec 18, 2006 - 9:51 am:

I shipped my horse between NJ and VA twice using Johnson Horse Transportation (610-488-7220). I had a great experience both times. My horse came off the trailer each time, looking happy, alert, and completely relaxed. The trailers were large, well lit, and well kept. Blue Chip Horse Transportation (800-826-4636) also came highly recommended, but I chose Johnson because they were priced more reasonably.

If anyone has had bad experiences with either of these shippers, I would like to hear about it.
Member:
Scobb

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006 - 10:52 pm:

We are currently trying to organize the haul of a yearling filly from Helena, Montana, to Valley Center, California. After reading all the posts about horse transportation companies, it seems that everyone is happy with Equine Express.
Unfortunately this company does not go into Montana! Does anyone have a recommendation for a hauler that goes to Montana? I've been concerned about using haulers that pick up horses in Florida, due to the strain of herpes virus entering the U.S. via imported horses coming into Florida.
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 20, 2006 - 8:24 am:

Sally,
I will have to look up who we used when we moved from Great Falls to Minot ND. The shipper showed up a day early, was ready to go at eight AM, stopped every four hours to rest and water, called me when they got to the resting place, called me when they got to the barn to give me an assessment of him and the new place which I appreciated as I had not physically seen the new place. They had ramps, great footing, dividers and only three horses at most per trip....Demetrius was alone I think for his though. They go coast to coast but I don't think they spend much time in FL. Let me get back to you tonight I have a job interview in a bit (need something to do in between classes and riding LOL).
Take care,
Corinne
Member:
Kathleen

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 20, 2006 - 10:12 am:

Sally,
I recently used the hauler Holly Wood recommended and he was great and the price was right. He shipped a mare for me from Nebraska to Texas and took extra special care of her and noticed and reported to me on anything that seemed out of the ordinary to him. The name is Ronnie and he owns/runs RJ Horse Transport. If you want his phone numbers and email address, please email me. My email info is in my profile. Don't know whether he goes to Montana or not. It was always hard to get one of the big haulers to go that far north unless they are picking up more horses on the way.
Kathleen
Member:
Caroltd

Posted on Friday, Jan 12, 2007 - 10:44 am:

All,

I'm reopening this discussion because I need help to find a shipper for my daughter's draft cross gelding from NW Vermont (Burlington area) to Cazenovia College (near Syracuse NY). We've been told that Bateman is very good, Beacon Hill is also...but this will be our first experience with a professional hauler. Can anyone help??

Carol
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 - 11:34 am:

Hi Carol
I have used a number of companies over the years and the one I will only now use Nationwide of https://www.nwht.net/. They are fabulous. My horse was so well taken care of, arrived in great condition. I had constant phone contact with them. The distance covered was long and they did layovers and regular stops to check and water the horses. I can't speak highly enough of them.
I do know that one of HA members hauls horses with an air-ride also so maybe they will respond to your post too.
Member:
Hpyhaulr

Posted on Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 - 12:52 pm:

Carol,
We have air ride now, but cannot go to the northeast for at least another month or so.. up in your neck of the woods, for a short haul, I can recommend Pat THompson in Maine, but she does not have air ride, I don't know how important that is to you. Equine Express does a lot on the east coast and I think they do have the air ride... not too many mom/pops want to do the NE this time of year d/t weather and fuel prices. (Bet the guys stuck in OK, KS, TN etc are rethinking that decision right about now) Walt is headed for Colorado & Montana...go figure.
Member:
Scobb

Posted on Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 - 1:36 pm:

Whatever national horse hauler you decide to hire, please beware of All-State Horse Express. They maimed my horse in a haul from Michigan to California, and I can give you all the details. There is even another poster to HorseAdvice, Mary Sprague, whose horse was injured the same way in All-State's archaic and unsafe trailers.

In the case of our horse, it was obviously driver negligence and stupidity, as all the horses in the slant load stalls fell down and could not regain their standing position. The veterinarians and other people helping had to winch the horses out of the trailer. My horse could not travel for three days.

I would like to be able to say that this company at least reimbursed us for our vet bills, but they have remained silent and uncaring. All-State Horse Express refuses to pay any of the vet bills, and I have a permanently damaged horse. For anyone who would like to read a two-page summary of this nightmare, written by one of the three attending veterinarians and witnesses at the scene of the incident, I would be happy to send it to you.
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 - 3:11 pm:

Thanx Sally,
It is important to put people on notice for bad haulers. What a hideous thing to happen. How-come there was no litigation for damages and reports to the appropriate Business Bureau for retraction of their licence to practice their business.

Did anyone write to editors of equine journals to complain so that others could be put on notice and so protected.

As you might be able to tell, I'm an action oriented person and I try to do whatever I can when there is such gross mis-conduct/mis-management.
Member:
Scobb

Posted on Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 - 5:00 pm:

Ilona,

I will have to hire a lawyer in Colorado to file a civil suit against All-State Horse Express. Other victims are located a long distance from Colorado, as is my situation, and there is no reimbursement for lost wages, hotel expenses, airfare and travel costs when you win a small claims suit. The way All-State's contract is worded, all legal jurisdiction is with El Paso County, Colorado. This is why most victims do nothing about their losses. I'll bet there are many victims of this company, however, without a judgment against them, victims do not have much leverage, and the company continues in business. The wheels of our legal system and other bureaucracies turn ever so slowly, and are biased towards perpetrators instead of victims.

I have started filing complaints with the agencies I know of including the DOT and United States Equestrian Federation, but if you have any suggestions of other agencies that will take complaints, please give me the list. Hopefully my efforts will save other horses and owners from going through a similar disaster.
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 - 7:38 pm:

Sally I will look into this and get back to you as soon as I have something pro-active to offer.

You could start writing an article about the experience and see if you can get it endorsed by others who have suffered at the hands of this company. It is important that names be named so that the story checks out. Any good publication does a check on this kind of story. Then forward that article to to magazines such as Equus, Horse and Rider, etc etc etc I am sure that a few will publish this. I would get it into Horse Trader and other equine trading magazines. I'm sure there are a few Horse Hauler publications. In other words try and do a media and internet blitz. Word of mouth will spread quite quickly if there is enough media exposure. have you thought of local newspapers? and newspapers in their home-town?
Those are things I would do immediately. Some-one will pick it up..you just have to be persistent and not get dis-heartened. This sort of treatment of horses enrages me. (can you tell?)
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 - 11:32 pm:

Make sure there are photos to accompany the article/letter to the editor/whatever. Photos of the injured horse will really "clinch it" for some folks.
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Monday, Jan 15, 2007 - 12:33 am:

Good point Holly, as they say "a picture is worth a thousand words"
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