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  Discussion on International Shipping with Pregnant Mare
Author Message
Member:
hev1

Posted on Monday, Dec 17, 2007 - 7:54 pm:

IS there any advice you can give me when shipping a mare in foal internationally by air? This is the mare's first foal (she is 4 yo) and she will be 7 months along when she flys. I am hearing that the "danger" zone when transporting pregnant mares are within the first 3 months and during the final 3 months. Is there anything special I need to be thinking about doing to make the journey a safe one for mare and future foal.
Member:
canderso

Posted on Monday, Dec 17, 2007 - 10:32 pm:

Hi Boomer,
I brought two mares over from Ireland last summer (one 4, one 5, neither in foal)
so based on that...
Have you imported horses before?
Are you in the US or Canada? Where is the mare coming from? Where are you (roughly)?
Are you planning the trip for next summer/fall, or is she coming over soon?
Without knowing details, probably the most important pieces of advice I can give are:
1) remember she has to go through quarantine. Upside is she will have regular vet attention, downside is they may not want you to/ allow you to do certain procedures for fear of transmitting disease and/or skewing their test results.
2) Try to make her quarantine experience as close to her eventual foaling environment as possible (or pay the $$$$ to get it over with as soon as possible)
3) It is possible that the climate/environment will be extremely different for her. Be sensitive to this and introduce her to new food/weather/insects carefully. (e.g., my mares were absolutely terrified by our loud, violent thunderstorms)

email me if you haven't done this before- I can give you more specifics.
Cheers,
Cheryl
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Monday, Dec 17, 2007 - 11:28 pm:

Hi Boomer,

I've done it, and have grey hairs to show for it. I shipped a 8.5 months pregnant mare from Costa Rica to Colorado in winter. Frankly, the quarantine and cross-country haul were harder on her than the flight. That and a mile gain in altitude, a change from perma-summer to winter, and the language barrier. I felt like a murderer.

I hired a custom hauler for the x-country part, and we kept her on gastroguard (except in quarantine, where it isn't allowed) and grass hay, with short days and overnight stops, with handwalking every 2 hours.

The mare-- a valuable and experienced broodmare-- redbagged the foal she carried on the trip. Fortunately I was there and resucitated him, but she has never done anything similar since then, and I attribute the problem (fairly or not) to the stress of the trip. I would hesitate to haul a late-term mare so far again, even though it worked out in the end.

- Elizabeth
Member:
canderso

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007 - 6:26 pm:

Forgot to mention: don't forget that the mare will have to develop immunities to a whole new environment. REALLY pay attention to vaccinations before and after you bring her over.

The more I think about it, the more I think it would be important to be sure the shipping agent had LOTS of experience - my gut would be to find the folks that deal with TBs.
Member:
hev1

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007 - 8:32 pm:

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. I have imported several ponies previously and am very familiar with the quarantine requirements etc. This is just the first time I have dealt with a mare in foal! We use a very reputable shipper and I have great confidence in their service and the quarantine farm. Will keep all the advice everyone suggested very much in the front of my mind and hope for the best outcome possible! Thanks again!
Member:
canderso

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2007 - 7:22 am:

Boomer,
Good luck with the import!
Can you write back after all is done and tell us what you learned?
Cheers,
Cheryl
Member:
hev1

Posted on Sunday, Mar 9, 2008 - 9:00 pm:

Hi: Just an update on my mare that I shipped internationally at 7 months pregnant. She arrived a week ago and seems in great shape. Is a little wary of humans (can't blame her) but is beginning to settle and shows no signs of any problems. I am VERY happy with the importer and quarantine facility and would be happy to give a recommendation to anyone interested. Please email me. Thanks again for all your advice!
Member:
canderso

Posted on Sunday, Mar 9, 2008 - 10:11 pm:

Great news! Congratulations. You must be very relieved.
Member:
dres

Posted on Monday, Mar 10, 2008 - 12:15 am:

we want pictures.. please..

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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