Posted 2005-07-06 8:50 PM (#27712) Subject: Trailering to Alaska
Member
Posts: 18
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Hi all. We have been here for quite sometime, just not much for posting unless I can't find the info my self, so thanks for any input in advanced.
We are moving to Alaska from the south east US. First question, we will be traveling through many states that have different health requirements. If we are not stopping for an overnight stay, do we still need all of the requirements on the H.C.?
Second question, how far is too far to drive without stopping overnight? My problem is we will be entering Canada through either North Dakota or Montana. Once in Canada, There is a stretch of 1500 miles where I can not find any type of horse motel info. Mainly from BC to yukon the into Alaska. Absolutly nothing.
Lastly, for now, are there any special requirements for horses in Canada?
Posted 2005-07-07 7:59 AM (#27722 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by duckmaniak on 2005-07-06 8:50 PM
Hi all. We have been here for quite sometime, just not much for posting unless I can't find the info my self, so thanks for any input in advanced.
We are moving to Alaska from the south east US. First question, we will be traveling through many states that have different health requirements. If we are not stopping for an overnight stay, do we still need all of the requirements on the H.C.?
Second question, how far is too far to drive without stopping overnight? My problem is we will be entering Canada through either North Dakota or Montana. Once in Canada, There is a stretch of 1500 miles where I can not find any type of horse motel info. Mainly from BC to yukon the into Alaska. Absolutly nothing.
Lastly, for now, are there any special requirements for horses in Canada?
Thanks again,
Jeremy
WOW!
SOME MOVE.
I'm NOT qualified to advise on a trip of this length, so I'll answer what I can.
There are state by state requirements on the horsetrip.com web site, though they only have an outline table and recommend you contact state authorities for details.
As I remember it some states have different requirements if you off-load vs if you are just passing through.
I think 500 miles a day is fairly "aggressive" for multi day trips, though probably harder on the humans than the horses. I admit to having done 2600 miles in 4 days, in hindsight that should have been a 5 day trip. I allowed the overnight stable locations to dictate my trip, 710 one day.
I think you're going to have to camp for that 1500 mile stretch, I have no idea how to plan for or do that.
We have a regular Canadian poster who might advise on the Canadian requirements, though again they probably vary by Province.
The CAA might be a good place to start, perhaps actively ASK for help from them vs just searching their web site.
Good Luck,
I'd LUV to see a trip report when you get there and get settled.
Posted 2005-07-07 3:08 PM (#27750 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Member
Posts: 27 Location: Delta, B.C., Canada
Hi from Canada (BC). WOW is right, that's a long move! I personally don't know all, if any, the rules/regulations, we have Horse Council of BC that might possibly be able to help, it's worth a try. Their website is www.horsecouncilbcsite.com. My husband picked up our trailer in MA, USA, crossed back into Canada from Washington, I'm sure if you wanted to spend the night in BC there are lots of barns willing to accommodate your horses before you start heading north. When are you planning on leaving? Good luck and safe travelling.
Posted 2005-07-07 10:18 PM (#27762 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Mississippi
No Expert- but this is what we do. Have made several trips of 1700 plus miles in 2 days. Offer water every 4 to 6 hours with horses still on trailer. Have hauled up to 12 hours without off loading. but have taken a couple of 30 minute breaks to give horses chance to relax and drink water and eat hay, as we fill up truck, stretch legs etc. If you feel you must offload and walk horses, pick a safe area as most horse accidents happen doing this. We use leg wraps and bed the trailer with about 8" of shavings.We will leave next Wednesday and travel 1700 miles to Gillite Wy. for NHSFR with 3 horses will be a 2 1/2 day trip there, with 2 overnite stops, but will come back in 2 days with one overnite stop. That is quite a move. As for as the 1500 mile leg it can be done, try to find a place even if it is just for a hour about half way you can safely off load and walk and excerise horses, offer plenty water, use two drivers, etc. But a basic question is how will do your horses trailer? Ours think of the trailer as a moving stall they have been hauled so much and very easy travelers. Good luck and please post your experience when you get settled into new home.
Posted 2005-07-08 12:15 AM (#27765 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've hauled 1500 in two days on several occassions.
I suspect there will be a number of places you can pull off the road and have a primative camp. either tie the horses to the trailer, hiline them or set up an electric fence. Check with the locals along the way to see if they are having any Bear problems in the area your are stopping in.
If time permits let them graze on some green grass. They extra moisture helps make up for what they are not drinking. I also give my horses soaked beat pulp at feeding times. Again it helps push water into the horses.
My horses also like a big watermelon, it will tempt even the most fussy horse to eat.
I believe you will need current coggins and health certificates for all states. The difference is usally in how long the papers are valid for. Wyoming for example only honors coggins for 6 months while in Utah & Colorado it's valid for 12 months. Your Health Certificates are usually only good for two weeks and must name the location you are traveling to.
Make sure your health papers match your ownership papers. i.e. Brand inspection or registration. Don't use a Barn name or nick name for your horse on the health papers and some long formal name on the registration. Make sure they match.
Posted 2005-07-08 8:53 AM (#27774 - in reply to #27765) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Member
Posts: 18
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Originally written by Painted Horse on 2005-07-08 1:15 AM
Your Health Certificates are usually only good for two weeks and must name the location you are traveling to. Make sure your health papers match your ownership papers. i.e. Brand inspection or registration. Don't use a Barn name or nick name for your horse on the health papers and some long formal name on the registration. Make sure they match.
Question,
First, the trip is going to take us about 20 days to accomplish, if the HC is only good for two weeks, how will that work?
Second, I don't have a brand inspection nor do I have any registration papers. How do I accomplish that?
To all the others so far, thanks for the advice and info.
Posted 2005-07-09 8:51 PM (#27849 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: NW
You will have to have a current coggins. In some states, that's w/in 6 mos, others it's 1 yr - so just be sure it's w/in the 6 mos. It's pretty much only the western states that have "brand inspections" & you are not required to have one coming from another state. When you get your coggins, the vet or vet tech will put the horses name, plus draw a sketch of your horse(s) on each form. Be sure all markings are noted & description is accurate since you do not have registration papers. Have the vet do your vacinations & have proof of them for the border. And on the HC, be sure horses are properly identified. Most HC's I've ever gotten were good for 30 days - never had one that was only for 2 wks. Talk to your vet...they should be able to find out exactly what you will need to travel across so many states & Canada. And try to get some certified weed free hay for your trip....it would not surprise me if you will need it for some of the areas you are traveling through. (especially if you are camping along the way.)
Posted 2005-07-09 10:54 PM (#27855 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Brand inspections are just a form of ownership in place of registration papers. You most often see them with Grade horses and other unregistrered horses. Here in Utah you call the brand inspector and he will come out and for varying prices he will give you a 1 year, 5 year or lifetime brand inspection. It basically just a documents on government paper that shows your horses markings. ( you don't need to have a brand on your horse to get a brand inspection) With you horses markings, color, age, sex, and your name as the owner.
Health Certificates around here are made out in triplicate. One copy for you, one for the Vet's records and one goes to the state department of Agriculture. They are good for up to 30 days ( I just looked at mine and stand corrected) but they are only good for the sites listed on the Health certificate. Last summer I had a certificate for a trip to SouthEast Idaho and was invited on a trip to the Wind Rivers Wilderness the following week. My health certificate did not list the Wind Rivers as a destination, The vet would not add it because the original had already been sent into the state. I had to buy another certificate for the second trip which was only 5 days after the first trip, and still within 15 days of issue.
Posted 2005-07-10 12:37 AM (#27858 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Regular
Posts: 96 Location: MasonDixon
Since you don't have registration paper's (they state the owner of horse), I'd make sure I had a bill of sale with a description of the horse.
To make sure that the horses are drinking enough, you can also wet down their hay. Sometimes they turn up their nose at the water, you can add Gatorade (our's like the orange flavor). Don't use new bucket's, use a bucket that smell's like them.
Also, make sure you have good trailer tires. Below is a discussion about trailer tires.
Posted 2005-07-10 10:48 AM (#27866 - in reply to #27855) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
A guy that works for my vet said they are changing the way coggins papers are done. He said that instead of drawing out the horses markings they will take a digital picture that will be placed on the papers. That way people will not be as able to use one set of papers on more than one horse. He also said they were setting up a way to down load the papers off the labs website so you don't have to wait a week to get them. I guess we'll see if it comes to be, if it does, it will make it easier for those who have lots of markings like paints and apps. It's a pain trying to draw out their markings.
Posted 2005-07-10 3:02 PM (#27870 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378 Location: Nebraska
In order to cross into Canada you must have a USDA vet meet you at the port you are crossing, and not all ports have a USDA vets on hand and must be contacted 24 hours before you reach the port. Going into Montana your vet must contact Montana state veterinary services within 30 days of entering Montana. Your feed may need to be "certified weed free" going into Canada. Go to the USDA Veterniary Services web site for contact phone numbers and names for futher assistance
The above link is for the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service which is responsible for animals entering the US. Right now you should be aware that there is a "border" war going on over cattle and BSE (mad cow disease) that may or may not affect relations at any border crossing. Please look at the above link and scroll down for Canada regulations. Also, you should consider that in effect you will be bringing an animal INTO the US, ie from Canada to Alaksa, and that you may also have to consider US import rules.
You do indeed have many things to think about.
Barry
Posted 2005-07-11 10:44 AM (#27890 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Expert
Posts: 2689
I think the 20 days will make it comfortable, or at least bearable.
Although several of us have done the 1500+ miles in 2 days trips, that isn't an average that I would want to maintain for more than a few days - either on me or the horses, even with 2 or more drivers. If you can keep it down to 400 miles and 8 hours of driving a day I think you and the horses will be better for it and you'll still make good progress. I have let the "easy to find" stables dictate some of my stops, leading to longer days than I should have done. I could/should have done more research (looked HARDER) for stables at shorter intervals.
For multiday hauls 400 will be my goal in the future and I'll drop to 350 or less rather than go over 450 - OK, 500 absolute max., but only if I HAVE TO (-:
Posted 2005-07-11 2:31 PM (#27913 - in reply to #27903) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Terri on 2005-07-11 12:48 PM
That almost makes it sound easier to fly/ship the horses to Alaska and drive up with an empty trailer!
That thought had crossed my mind too.
I guess there are "FACTORS", like "who foots the bills", e.g. company paid relo or self ?
Also, how much of a "VACATION" this could turn out to be vs chore/hassle ?
I know that coast to coast air travel is used for horses, though I don't know how much of the decision to fly vs truck is based on cost, schedule, hassle, horse stress, etc.
Something to look into, but who would want to travel WITHOUT their hossies ?
(-:
Posted 2005-07-13 1:30 PM (#28010 - in reply to #27712) Subject: RE: Trailering to Alaska
Member
Posts: 18
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Thanks everyone for your input. I have my trip planned out to 12 8 hour trips and one 12 hour that I'm trying to break into two. If anyone has any info on where I can stop overnight between Whitehorse, YT in Canada and Anchorage, AK, please let me know.
Trailering to Alaska
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