>>>  He said he had one stall available so that doesn't make sense to me.
Thanks

He can haul 2 small compatible horses (like many Icelandics) in a single
stall, and if so, he'll adjust his charges a little.  He won't, however, put
two horses together if he has any doubts about their compatibility, nor will
he haul a very large horse with a small one, unless they have been best
buddies for ages.  Several times, I found horses heading east from British
Columbia or California when I was getting one (or more) brought to me in NC.
I found them by sending an e-mail to the list, or when I noticed that
someone else mentioned getting a new horse.  Not only does it save you a few
bucks, but I think a lot of horses travel better when they have a personal
buddy with them for most (or all) of the trip.

Sorry if we've scared you, but I wouldn't wish the ordeal we went through in
2004 on anyone.  The crazy hauler provided references - but next time I'll
ask the references if they ever shared a jail cell with the hauler... She
wasn't even the low bidder!  And, by the time we had to pay her extortion to
get the horses back, THEN find a good hauler to get them from California to
NC....well, I paid twice, but worried myself sick for seven weeks.  If I
hadn't been able to connect with Judy, I don't know if I'd ever seen my
horses again.  Thank goodness a buddy from the list offered to board them
for me after Judy found them for only the cost of their hay, etc, not for
full board.  And, due to the delay in hauling, I had to pay for a second
health certificate.

Many of the hauling companies use huge rigs, 18-wheelers, and hire what
amounts to truck drivers.  Even if the firm has a good reputation, you could
always get a new (and unreliable) driver.  Be sure that whoever brings your
horse to you is truly a horseman.  Terry listens to the news on his route,
keeps his ears open for news of outbreaks of equine diseases, and won't stop
in areas where outbreaks are.  He unloads the horses as often as feasible on
the coast-to-coast trips, but always weighs the risks before he does.  I
know he's passed on some horse hotels when they didn't meet his approval.
That's what you're paying for.

Karen Thomas
[EMAIL PROTECTED]




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