4Hooves Equine Transport Policies & Recommendations

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Based on years of research and observation, we prefer whenever possible, especially for long distance transports, to haul loose in a box stall configuration.  The reasons we prefer to haul in this manner are as follows:

• to allow the equine to assume the most comfortable positions for them during transport...some prefer to ride backwards or change directions and positions during travel
• to afford the equine the choice of lowering its head during transport which allows them to blow and cough, greatly benefiting their respiratory system and overall health during transport
• to lessen the stress response of the equine potentially caused by a "claustrophobic" and/or "trapped" feeling if confined in a straight or slant stall or tied
• to better combat any "panic" behavior, especially if the equine is young, not very confident, not accustomed to being in a trailer, or being separated from herd mates, familiar surroundings, etc. 
• to make "self-rescue" a possibility should an unforeseen incident occur.  Equines are prey animals, fight or flight, therefore if they are trapped or in a compromised position their first reaction is to get to their feet (hooves) and flee to save themselves.  Should an unavoidable accident/incident occur during transport and the equine goes down in the trailer or is inside an overturned trailer, the equine, if left loose, can quite possibly maneuver to a standing position without too much difficulty, resulting in a lesser potential for injury or death.  

We try to accommodate our client's requests as much as possible, if their requests do not undoubtedly jeopardize the overall safety or well-being of the equine during transport.  Should a client prefer not to have their equine hauled in a box stall, our trailer was designed with extra spacious straight stalls (7ft long body / 3ft long head space and 3ft wide) with an optional stud-divider and a slant stall (51in wide), combined with a height of 7ft 6in, provides enough space to comfortably fit small miniatures or foals to large draft breeds.  When equines are hauled in the stalls, they are afforded just enough length of rope to reach available hay and water but not to permit entanglement and are secured to the trailer with "tension release" or “weak link” attachments, such as baling twine loops or specialized tie-rings, that provide a quick release in the event of an emergency.  If the client requests that the equine be hauled tied, we will honor their decision and tie the equine but for safety purposes we will tie in this manner and their request will be documented on the Transport Contract.