IMPORTANT STEPS WHEN USING A HAULER
When you are looking for a hauler it is a good idea to ask a few questions, a reputable hauler will be forthcoming with the information and should answer openly and honestly, after all you both have the horse’s welfare at heart.
- Ask about the haulers insurance coverage and always make sure they are licensed and insured.
- Always ask about the carrier’s equipment. You don’t want to be promised an air ride tractor-trailer and not get it, especially for long distances. There is a big difference between air ride and spring ride and your horse will feel the difference.
- Don’t be shy about asking for references and be sure to check them. At the very least it will give you reassurance that somebody else has had a good experience.
- If the trip is a long one ask about rest stops – do they make them, how often, and where? Water and feed when is it supplied and how often?
- Does the hauler carry an equine first aid kit and more importantly do they know what to do with it?
A written contract should always be in place, this protects you and the hauler. The contract should clearly state the total amount owed for the trip along with your financial responsibility for damages to the trailer should your horse ‘protest’ during the trip. Other points could include emergency information, liability, layovers, how your horse will be hauled- i.e. loose in a box stall, or tied?
Each hauler should have a contract specific to what service they offer and what types of trailer they use.
Beware of carriers who ask for a deposit before they even pick up the horse. Most legal carriers ask for a prepayment or a C.O.D. and this is usually only when the customer does not have an established account with the company. The difference between the two is simple. A prepayment is when you pay the carrier while the horse is on the van while a deposit is just to reserve the spot before the truck even leaves.
Get Social