Phase II Show and Sport Horse Farm

02/01/2025

01/19/2025

When Horses Fly - The Business Of Equine Air Travel

Thousands of sport horses will travel all over the world every year to get to destination competitions on the global show jumping circuit. How do they get there? They fly of course! The only way this happens is through the well-run business of equine air transportation, and with the dedicated teams who manage every aspect of the horses' wellbeing.

The journey begins like any other, the equines load onto trailers and travel from farms to one of the major airports with specialized facilities for livestock transportation. One of the most travelled routes is between Amsterdam in The Netherlands and Miami, Florida. Another major hub is The Ark at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. The $65 million facility has 48 state of the art stalls, 24 hour reception center and a speciality quarantine facility for import/export horses. The goal of all sport horse transport is to have the horses travel as smoothly as possible so that once they are off the plane, they can perform at their full potential at the destination competition.

Upon arrival to the airport, the horses are loaded into specialized containers for the flight. Owners can opt for coach, business or first class for the precious four legged cargo. The smaller horses can fly three to a container, and the larger show jumpers will fly "business" with some extra leg room. Flying frequently with the horses is Mary Elizabeth Kent, business manager and director of Laura Kraut LLC. Ms. Kent states that it is quite comfortable for smaller horses to ship three to a container, with the larger horses fitting nicely in a two stall. Once the horses are secure in the containers, the boxes are lifted into the cargo bay of the airplane. The Boeing 747 is a popular model in equine air travel as the upper deck is well designed for human passengers (vets, grooms, farm managers), while the lower deck fits horses and cargo efficiently. In terms of cost, owners can expect to pay in the four figures per stall for transatlantic flights.

In addition to individual attendants from the respective farms, the airlines have specialized assistants who are trained to coordinate and fly with equestrian passengers. On a recent MartinAir cargo flight from Amsterdam to Miami, two attendants were on board in addition to other personnel. Kevin Nairne, founder of horse snack company Kelcie's Treats who flew with the horses, noted that the grooms aboard the airlines likely spend more than 50% of their time flying all over the world with these animals.

Despite what some might think, most competition horses are very good flyers - some even nap on the flight! However, horses are not sedated as they need to remain alert enough to balance on all fours. Just like a precious package, the horses have quite a bit of padding, with leg wraps to offer compression and protection, and halters lined with fluffy wool. The in-flight snack of choice is of course carrots, which also helps the horses stay comfortable, as chewing equalizes their ear pressure.

Just like their human teammates, they are accustomed to a life on the road as traveling athletes. Even so, these horses are meticulously monitored in-flight to ensure they are comfortable, calm and have plenty of hay and water during the journey. Jet lag for horses is generally not an issue; however, the FEI (International Federation of Equestrian Sport) Code of Conduct for equine welfare requires appropriate rest period between travel and competition, depending on length of the trip.

This jet set lifestyle may seem glamorous, but it also takes an incredible amount of planning and teamwork to ensure these valuable athletes arrive safely and in top form. The logistics for a horse's travel is certainly a bit more complicated than a human's, given the sheer volume of the passenger (a sport horse weighs 1,100 pounds on average), and also due to the quarantine regulations. Upon arrival in Miami for example, the shipping agent Lazcar will greet the plane, handle unloading the horses, and the transport to USDA quarantine where the animals are required to stay for 48 hours to make sure no surprise illness made the journey with them. Once released, the horses will be shipped in a trailer to their destination barns, and so begins the next round of competition and training.

01/15/2025

HORSE & PET FRIENDS!!! Please share this list of SAFE SHELTERS for Southern California LIVESTOCK and SMALL ANIMALS that are displaced due to evacuations. Vets are on hand at most facilities to treat burns. Donations can also be made as these facilities are offering free board and feed.

01/15/2025

01/11/2025

Did you know that a horse that hasn't been taught how to properly support and carry the weight of a rider will instinctually hollow their back away from the weight of the rider? Many riding horses spend their entire careers going around with hollow backs, even upper level competition horses.

Carrying weight with a hollow back is, at best, uncomfortable for the horse, and in many cases is actually quite painful. Many horses tolerate this discomfort because they don't know any alternative. Other horses develop behavioral problems and become labeled as bad horses.

For a horse to remain healthy and comfortable in his work he must be taught how to support the weight of a rider with first a neutral back and then later on with a lifted back. This is a process that takes time, as you can't rush muscle development.

I've found that the best way to teach a horse to lift his back is on the ground first, through classical in hand work. Without the extra weight of the rider, it is easier for the horse to learn how to lift his back and it is easier for him to develop the strength that he needs in order to maintain a lifted back for an extended amount of time.

Once the horse has an understanding of this healthier posture and has developed some strength, it will be much easier for him to accomplish the same thing with a rider on his back.

The horse will then feel more comfortable and have an easier time performing his job. He will be less prone to injuries and behavioral problems and he will be able to continue doing his job for much longer than if he never learned to move in a healthy way.

As stewards of our horses, we owe it to them to give them the best lives possible. That includes taking the time to teach them how to move in a way that is healthy and comfortable for them.

Want to learn more about the horse's back and how you can teach him a healthy posture? We invite you to join our Healthy Movement through In Hand Work course, available in our Virtual Classroom. You'll learn how you can help your horse to move in a healthier way through the use of In Hand Work.

This work is beneficial for horses of all ages, breeds, and disciplines and no previous experience is necessary.

Learn more and sign up here- https://tuskeydressage.com/register/virtual-classroom/

01/11/2025

01/10/2025

“He was never able to replicate himself during a long career at stud, but became known as a prolific sire of broodmares. Secretariat, proud and vital well into his dotage, died in the fall of 1989 at Claiborne Farm, in Kentucky, his Triple Crown records intact, as is his place in history 40 years later..” My favorite photo of Red in Retirement… “Finally, this is my favorite shot of Secretariat at stud. When we approached the fence, he went over and picked up a large branch and brought it over, defying me to try pull it out of his mouth. I felt like I was playing fetch with a dog.” - Steve Haskin