horse travel on plane

Can Horses Travel by Plane? (Detailed Guide With Expenses)

Every year, around 5,000 horses air travel overseas with equine transporting corps. The protocols of horse transportation are pretty complex as every country has a different set of rules.

Despite the high air travel rate, the majority of the folks don’t know how it works. More specifically, can horses travel by horses?

Yes, horses can travel but on the Cargo plans. Cargo planes have jet stalls that keep the horses safe throughout the flight. Yet, the process requires paperwork and preparation. Before transporting a horse overseas, you need to pass it through different procedures.

• 1 How exactly does horse travel by plane?
• 2.1 1. Pre-preparations
• 2.2 2. When leaving
• 2.3 3. En route
• 2.4 4. When reaching
• 3.1 1. Traveling gears
• 3.2 2. The stalls
• 3.3 3. The staff
• 3.4 4. Loading up process
• 3.5 5. Feeding
• 3.6 6. Quarantine
• 4 How much does it cost to transport a horse by plane?
• 5.1 How do you transport a horse on a plane?
• 5.2 What airlines fly horses?
• 5.3 Are horses sedated for air travel?
• 6 Conclusion

How exactly does horse travel by plane?

Not much rocket science defines how exactly a horse travels by plane. What happens is;

A shipping agent picks up your horse from the home and drops it at the airport. Here, an expert veterinarian passes your horse several blood works, then loads it in the van. The van finally loads the horse in the plane- ready to take off.

By reading, this process is like cutting a cake piece and eating with a fork. Yet, the reality is a bit different. This whole process takes several hours to complete.

The presence of expert veterinarians is necessary; to make sure no health problems occur.

Preparations you need for horse air traveling!

Just the way you prepare for traveling, here are the things you need to do for your horses.

1. Pre-preparations

The pre-preparation list is pretty extended for transporting horses by air traveling. Before entering any country, you have to fulfill the requirement list. First, you need to pass your horse through several tests.

If you are exporting or importing horses for sports events, specific vaccinations are also required. Besides that, horses need to complete the quarantine period before air traveling.

Make sure your horse is in its best shape, has no sleeping disorders, and eats aptly. It depends on the country the horse is entering about what vaccinations are required.

All blood samples will be sent to the border for screening. Upon approval, your horse is all set to proceed further.

2. When leaving

So the departure date is here. You do not need to load your horses in your van and drop them off at the airport. Instead, the shipping agents will come to take your horses to the airport.

When reaching the airport, horses are loaded in a van for detailed inspection. A veterinarian will come to check whether horses are having fever or not before leaving.

Upon cancellation of flight due to weather conditions or any other, the horses are sent back to their stalls (rather than being stuck at the airport).

After the health checkup is done, the van will load the horses on the plane. Some air companies might ask horses to walk up to the plane.

3. En route

For this, you need to be very attentive. Whatever your horses prefer eating throughout the day, you need to tell the shipping agent. In general, the jet stall has net hay in front.

Sometimes shipping agents do not have a variety of fodders (they mostly use timothy or alfalfa). It is advisable to provide specific hay to the shipping agent to prevent disturbance in the dieting plan.

Ask the shipping agents to ensure the horses are well hydrated throughout the flight. Ask them to provide the preferred hay yet in less quantity. Also, the cargo should be cool to keep the horse happy and comfy.

4. When reaching

The last flight preparation protocol is to check the detailing at the arrival. Most horse owners prefer presenting at the arrival time- so they can handle their horses in their way.

Before handing over your horse to you, a veterinarian will check the hydration level, temperature, attitude, and appetite; even before arrival, daily urine and blood tests are recommended to make sure the output is standard.

After getting your horse, isolate it for 7-10 days to reduce the chances of illness spreading. During the quarantine period, call a veterinarian to have a detailed inspection.

Things you should know before transporting horses by air!

Here is the list of things you should be careful about before transporting your horses by air.

1. Traveling gears

The major traveling gear required is traveling horseshoes. Consider putting them at home instead of at the airport. Check the temperature of the country your horse is arriving at.

If the current temperature is in winter and the arriving country has summer, remove the extra weather layers to prevent overheating and stress.

2. The stalls

Just like we travel in business and first-class, the same equation applies to horses. Depending on your budget, book a stall for your horse. The business class will have two horses/ stall, while the first-class offers one horse/ stall.

3. The staff

Don’t you want your horses to have VIP protocol while air traveling? While finalizing the contract with the shipping agent, ask him about the team he offers. Have a meet-up with the staff.

Ask them how they will take care of your horses.

4. Loading up process

This factor is of crucial importance. A wrong loading up process can cause a slight fever to horses which lasts throughout the flight.

Ask the shipping agent to load the horses via vans instead of walking them up to the plane.

As discussed earlier, the diet plan shouldn’t be disturbed at any cost. You have two options; whether to pay extra for the preferred horses’ fodder. Or provide them the hay yourself if you think they will compromise on the quality.

6. Quarantine

Quarantine is a must; before and after air travel. The least to isolate your horses is seven days. However, much better if you go for three weeks.

During quarantine, make sure your horse is separate from others, don’t go too close to the horse, and have weekly blood tests.

How much does it cost to transport a horse by plane?

Once you decide you will transport a horse by plane before the next sports event, the next thing that will come across your way is the cost.

Transporting animals overseas is colossal accountability. Whoever takes the responsibility has to be responsible for the on-flight checkups and health conditions.

The cost of transporting a horse by air depends on the mode of traveling, several test checks, destination, and the equine transporting company you opt for. An average cost is $2000-10,000 for an overseas one-way flight.

The reason for the high rates of transportation is the horses’ size and the traveling protocols they necessitate. The sensitive nature of the horses makes it hard for the shipping agents to handle them.

That is why they hire professionals for the job (of course, they are costly).

How do you transport a horse on a plane?

Here is the procedure for transporting a horse on a plane;

• Hire a shipping agent and book a cargo plane.
• Pass your horse through vaccinations and blood tests and isolate it.
• The agent will drop your horse at the airport for the last tests, then lastly load it on the plane.
• After reaching the destination, again isolate the horse and take it wherever you want.

What airlines fly horses?

It depends on which country you belong to. The most famous cargo airlines include UPS, Tax Sutton, and FedEx. Tax Sutton is the first-ever air equine transporting company to ship horses overseas.

Are horses sedated for air travel?

Horses are not sedated for air travel as it will result in falling on the floor and getting injuries. As an alternative, horses remain active throughout the flight to maintain body balance against gravity.

As it is the time of the year, make sure to participate in the sports event with your best horse. Undoubtedly the process is hectic but is necessary to air travel horses.

What you need to do is, make sure your horse is clear with all bloodwork and vaccinations. If you detect flight fever in your horse, consider canceling the flight before it worsens the situation.

Keep in touch with the shipping agent to know your horse is doing and eating well. Give extra guidance to not compromise on the diet plan and quality. A body hydration level test is also needed to be checked.

Try to be present at the arrival time to handle your horse effortlessly and calm him down in the unknown place. Lastly, when you reach the sports event, ensure to give your best.

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Flying horses around the globe: how it works

• Transporting horses

Racing is now a truly international sport with horses flying all over the world to compete on different continents for big prizes. Travelling head girl to trainer Andrew Balding Leanne Masterton explains what’s involved when flying overseas with a horse. Together with seven-year-old gelding, Side Glance (pictured below), the pair have travelled the world to compete in destinations as varied as Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and America.

Preparation is key A great deal of preparation goes into ensuring racehorses receive the highest standard of care throughout their trips abroad. There are a wide range of factors to take into account, including how training schedules fit in with lengthy flights, ensuring racehorses are fed and watered during the journey, dealing with quarantine regulations in different countries, and ensuring that all the necessary paper work is in order ahead of travelling. Racing overseas is planned months in advance to ensure that everything runs smoothly and the horse’s journey is as comfortable as possible.

Tack is the last thing to be packed As travelling head girl, it is Leanne’s job to prepare for the trip: “I will usually get all the gear ready the week before we fly, as between going racing and riding out it’s nearly always a manic week. Tack is the last thing I pack because if it’s a late afternoon or evening flight I will have to ride out first. However, the horse that is flying will get the morning off. Once the hampers are packed and ready, it’s just water containers to be filled, haynets to be stuffed and enough feed readied for the journey.”

Quarantine Australia is the only country that Leanne has travelled to where horses have to spend two weeks in quarantine in the UK before they leave. This is because, with no equine influenza in Australia, they do not currently vaccinate against it as they do in every other racing country. Racehorse quarantine in the UK is done at Side Hill Stud in Newmarket.

“We shower every time we enter quarantine and horses are allowed to use designated gallops only between 4pm and 5pm as quarantine regulations do not permit them to be within 100 meters of a horse that is not in quarantine.

“Every piece of exercise is supervised by a vet and a team of staff, who also keep dog walkers away. During this period blood and nasal swab tests are done for equine influenza, among other equine diseases. Horses temperatures are also taken twice daily. After two weeks, providing all the tests are clear, it’s time to fly.”

When travelling anywhere else in the world with horses, the same tests have to be done and have to be clear prior to flying. The tests can be carried out at home and the horse will not enter quarantine until it arrives abroad. The racehorses stay in quarantine overseas for the duration of their stay, and in America, horses are kept in isolation for at least 72 hours.

Take-off With equine air travel increasing, racehorses will usually be flown in custom-built aircraft adapted specifically for transporting horses. “Pilots will not allow people to stay in the hold with the horses during take off. Racehorses are used to travelling in a horsebox and generally they are not fussed by getting on a plane. I have never been on a flight where a horse has got upset.

“After take off I will untie him [Side Glance], as he likes to stand backwards and sleeps a fair bit. I can’t say who sleeps more, him or me. On a flight full of horses, there are no air stewards or stewardesses, so the grooms and vets are left to fend for themselves. No in flight entertainment either, so a good book is essential!”

Keeping hydrated While flying, it is very important to keep horses hydrated. “Before we leave, any horse of Andrew’s that is flying will be given a Duphalyte IV drip by the vet, this is full of vitamins and minerals. During the flight I would offer water every couple of hours. If a horse isn’t drinking well after a couple of hours I would give them some electrolyte paste by mouth, it’s full of salts and minerals and encourages them to drink.

“A vet will always be on board along with an assistant, so should a horse show signs of becoming dehydrated they will administer IV fluids. But I have never been on a flight where this has had to be done.”

Careful feeding “Feeding on a flight has to be done with care, greedy horses eating too much can develop colic so I have found it best to feed little every four to six hours and, if possible, off the floor of the stall. This encourages horses to get their heads down, so there is more chance of anything in their lungs from the air con running out.”

Landing On landing, the horses are transported straight to quarantine when in Australia or the stables reserved for international runners in other countries.

“Once the horses have had a good walk they are put into their new stables and temperatures are taken. A risen temperature is the first indication of a horse developing travel sickness so temperatures are taken twice a day for two weeks again. This is witnessed by a vet every morning and closely monitored. I’m lucky in that no horse I have ever travelled has suffered from travel sickness but I have seen it in Hong Kong and Australia. Horses develop a high temperature, a cough, a dirty nose and look dull in their coat. They have to be treated with antibiotics and it takes time for them to recover.”

Exercising after a flight “After 36 hours travelling, you don’t put a horse under any strain in their exercise. So, following our arrival Down Under, it is a couple of days just leading out and picking grass, giving them time to acclimatise. This time in Australia [where Side Glance ran in the Cox Plate], we also have Van Percy who was second in the Ebor. Although he was a first time flyer Van Percy only lost 3kg on the flight, and Side Glance, the old pro, lost 14kg! This is normal for him, and it only takes two days for him to it put back on.

“Both horses were being prepared to run exactly two weeks after landing so after a couple of days walking in the compound we hit the track for a trot. Both horses pulled our arms out trotting, Matti, who rides Van Percy, and I were still suffering with jet lag and it’s fair to say the horses recover a lot quicker than us!”

Trainers will aim to have a horse primed and race fit before they travel so they will only need easy work after landing in the immediate build up to a race.

“After a few days of steady cantering Side Glance did his first easy piece of work on the Tuesday before the race. He did his alone as he can pull very hard in company and we didn’t want him to do too much. The days leading up to the race they are just kept ticking over with steady canters. On the day before, I allow ‘Sidey’ an inch or two of rein so he can stretch out down the straight as he has been known to run gassy and keen if too fresh.”

Coming home “When Side Glance arrives home from a trip the first thing he does is roll in his own stable, he will then check out his feed pot before he has a long sleep.

“The day after a trip abroad he goes for a mini break to Chris Bonner’s (Andrew Balding’s assistant). He always has the same stable there and will jump off the lorry ramp when he arrives. He gets to play in the paddock but he also has an hour a day on the horse walker, otherwise he lets himself go a little too much. He was there for 10 days after travelling to Chicago this year and put on 25kg… He loves it there!!”

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9 Things That Are Unique About Transporting Horses On An Airplane

Horses by air may have been pie in the sky or like “when pigs fly” 50 years ago, but now flying horses is big business.  I wouldn’t look for Expedia to list a horse in a dropdown list, that said don’t give Amazon any ideas. They don't get to book online and show up at the airport with a ticket for a regular airplane. Instead, they ride on purpose-built aircrafts, with specific arrangements just for equine jetsetters. What are some of the unique features of equine air travel?

1. PRE-CHEK Horses embarking on any kind lengthy travel should be checked by a veterinarian and observed of any signs of sickness or fatigue. The added stress of travel can turn a small problem into pneumonia or other serious complications. 

2. First-class travel. Just like on human flights, there are "economy," "business," and "first-class" air accommodations for horses, though the differences are more elaborate. In addition to more legroom, each upgrade includes fewer horses in the same "container." In other words, just like first class for people, horses in first-class enjoy their privacy.

3. In-flight snacks. All horses who travel by air are kept occupied with a full hay net, though they may choose not to nibble. They're also offered plenty of fresh water and often electrolytes as well to make sure they keep drinking. The digestive tract of a horse is a one-way system, so horses do not get airsick; lucky them! 

4. Medic on board. While human flights have first aid kits handy, equine air travel is conducted with flying grooms, who have extensive experience with hands-on veterinary care that might be needed during a flight, such as sedation for nervous flyers.

5. A different kind of layover. Nearly every equine flight is a direct one, but depending on where the horse is traveling, domestically or internationally, or for what purpose, quarantine may be required once they arrive. This quarantine can range from a day or two to weeks. Furthermore, various equine welfare recommendations include mandatory rest periods after lengthy travels to maintain the horse's well-being.

6. Flying for sport. At the highest levels of every equine sport, from racing to show jumping, dressage to carriage driving, competitions are scheduled across the country and the globe. In order to reach a level like the Olympics, a horse and rider may need to have competed in a number of previous, slightly lower level, international competitions. While it might be possible to travel long distances in the US or Europe in a trailer, an air flight provides a faster, safer, and less stressful experience for the horse. 

7. Flying for pleasure.  Though many of the horses who travel the skies are athletes, doing so because they've been bought and are changing addresses or traveling to competitions, still others travel for different reasons. One such reason might be that some breeds of horses require "live cover" instead of AI, and so studs and sometimes mares travel for their breeding dates. 

8. Dressing for the trip.  Humans who are on long flights usually choose comfortable, loose clothing and maybe a hoodie to keep warm. Horses in general are cold weather animals so cabin temperatures are monitored closely, and the captain is given specific temperature settings by us. Leg protection is a matter of choice, we like to use the Velcro type that provide protection without bandages that can get loose or tangled during a flight. 9. Experience matters. Because of the complexity of equine air travel, from scheduling to veterinary preparation, loading and unloading, and in-flight specialization, choosing the right equine shipper can make the difference between a smoothly-choreographed maneuver and a chaotic, stressful, disjointed process. Alex Nichols Agency has been transporting horses by air since 1962. We developed the now-standard equine shipping container used by all major airlines. Let us use our sixty years in the industry to make your horse's flight easy and seamless.

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Horses on airplanes: 9 ways to upgrade their safety and comfort.

If you’re involved with horses on airplanes , you know that it requires careful planning and exceptional care. Whatever the reason for flying—an international competition, a winter holiday in Florida or a permanent relocation—safety and comfort is always top of everyone’s agenda.

Thankfully, specialised horse air transport services enable thousands of horses to fly around the world every month without any problems. However, not all horses like to fly, and nervous horses can become stressed and risk hurting themselves and their handlers.

At VRR, we take a keen interest in what makes a horse feel safe and comfortable while flying. It’s why, when we design our closed horse stalls, we collaborate with those who really understand horses. One of those collaborators is Lodi Berk, Regional Cargo Sales Manager Live Animals for Qatar Airways.

Berk takes some time out of his busy day to share with us the primary factors to consider when shipping horses by air, and why he prefers certified stalls for the horses under his care.

Prefer to get a quick overview? Just download the infographic, giving you all the info you need. 

How to make horses on airplanes more comfortable

1. use expert handlers.

Transporting horses by air is a complex, high-touch process that involves many people, from freight forwarders to airline staff. If these people are not qualified to handle live animals in transit, the horses are unlikely to arrive at their destination feeling rested. They may even come to harm.

“That’s where a groom’s experience comes into play,” says Berk. “Some horses need a little push; others need a short rest. The spoilt ones like to play. Each one must be handled according to its own needs.” Fortunately, there are several major airlines and freight forwarders that provide specialty cargo services for international horse transport these days. IATA also issues (CEIV) Live Animals certificates to organisations that meet industry standards, making it much easier to check a party’s ability to transport horses by air efficiently and humanely.

2. Establish an organised and timely boarding process

More and more airports, like Amsterdam (Schiphol) and New York (JFK), are providing dedicated facilities where carriers can safely load horses into the ULD  or air stall, which is then brought planeside. Efficient documentation checks, specially designed quarantine and loading areas, and 24-hour veterinary services all help to ensure a smooth journey for the horse.

However, even if an airport does not have dedicated facilities, loading horses can still be done in a safe way, according to Berk. “Position the trailer thoughtfully, close to the stall, and lay anti-slip rubber matting in between the two units to prevent the horse from slipping. Creating the right set up prev ents a lot of problems.”

3. Make it easier to load them into the ULD horse stall

Walking into an ULD horse stall can be challenging for some horses, especially if the ramp is narrow and the height is limited.

“It’s not good if a horse needs to bend his head down to walk into a stall, especially if the horse is nervous or claustrophobic,” explains Berk. “A taller stall with a wider ramp and a flat entry—like the HMJ—makes loading much safer and easier for both horse and groom.”

4. Give them plenty of leg (and head) room

Yes, horses can suffer from claustrophobia, too. If the condition is already known about, arrangements can be made ahead of time to give the horse as much space as possible inside the stall. However, as Berk points out, not all owners are aware of the condition until the horse is loaded.

“If a horse is claustrophobic,” he says, “the best solution is to off-load one of the other horses and create more room. Of course, that means the off-loaded horse can’t fly unless you can find space in another stall.”

Moveable stall partitions are a handy feature that make such last-minute flight upgrades possible. Stalls set up for economy class travel (i.e. three horses) can be altered to business class (i.e. two horses) or even first class (i.e. one horse).

Claustrophobia or no, all horses need room to stretch their necks. This helps them to balance and to cough out unwanted hay and dust. Therefore, sufficient head room is extremely important. “Always make sure the stall fits comfortably around the horse,” counsels Berk.  

5. Reduce noise and vibration when being loaded into the plane

Horses can become unsettled while the stall is being positioned in the plane’s hold. They can feel the vibration of the powered cargo rollers as they are being shifted to their location, and inexperienced horses must learn to keep their balance and follow the motion of the container.

However, many horses dislike the moment the high loader lifts the stall into the hold because of the sideways movement. The anatomy of a horse means it is less stable moving sideways. “Claustrophobic horses in particular get distressed at this moment,” observes Berk. “Once the stall starts moving forward or backward, it is much easier for the horses to maintain their balance.”

6. Provide a secure and stable environment

The more solid the stall, the more protected the horse, especially if panic sets in. The most solidly constructed stalls are undoubtedly certified containers. Designed to be directly restrained by the aircraft’s Cargo Loading System, they don’t require netting to secure them to the pallet. But, as Berk explains, their advantages extend beyond flight safety.

“Certified stalls are the best way to transport horses. They’re always closed, which makes a horse more comfortable. They are also stronger, so they’re much safer for the horse and the groom . Basically, they are designed to prevent injury and to keep a horse much more comfortable during the flight.”

7. Keep them cool and hydrated

The air in any plane is very dry, and horses can generate a lot of heat, especially on long journeys. However, the risk of overheating and dehydration can be eliminated by providing the horses with enough water and ensuring the stall has adequate air flow.

“Easy groom access to a closed stall is important to monitor, feed and water horses throughout the flight,” says Berk. “A door on both sides of the stall is ideal as usually one side or the other is blocked by another container or loaded pallet.”

8. Enjoy a clean, dry floor for the whole journey

Sooner or later, every passenger gets a ‘call of nature’ on a long-haul flight. A horse weighing 500 kilos can urinate many litres of fluid during that time. Of course, standing on a soiled, wet floor is not ideal, which is why sufficient absorption material such as wood shavings should always be used. It’s also essential that fluids and droppings do not leak from the stall in order to protect the aircraft from dirt and corrosion.

9. Arrange suitable stall neighbours

No-one travelling on a plane wants to be bothered by fellow passengers, and horses are no exception. Unruliness and conflict can occur if neighbouring horses don’t get on with each other, which is why careful thought must be given to their ‘seating arrangements’ prior to flying.

“If possible, don’t put a stallion next to a mare,” says Berk. “Put him next to a gelding or another stallion. If you have a nervous horse, try pairing him up with a calm, experienced flyer. And always try to keep travelling buddies together.”

As an extra precaution, use sniffer boards to prevent horses from nuzzling and biting their neighbours.

Flying horses around the world has become as routine as flying humans. Even so, there are ways to make the flight feel less like economy and more like first class. The key is meticulous preparation and using the right horse stall. If you can meet a horse’s individual transportation needs, you will have a happy and relaxed animal at the end of the flight.

Like to have a reminder or short overview of these valueble tips? Just download the free infograhic. 

About Willem Berk

Willem (Lodi) Berk, who has been riding horses since the age of 13, owns several horses. In 2006, he joined the air freight industry as a flying groom. Now he works for Qatar Airways Cargo as Regional Sales Manager Live Animals. He oversees the transportation of all kinds of animals, from horses, cattle and dogs to falcons, elephants and dolphins.

Berk, who is on the board of the Animal Transportation Association (ATA) and the IATA Live Animals and Perishable

Board (LAPB), was closely involved in the design of the HMJ. He believes it is one of the best certified horse stalls on the market.

More information on certified horse stalls?

If you’d like to know more about VRR’s certified ‘ Horse Stalls ’, you’ll find plenty of information on our website, including technical data and brochures that you can download.

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Horse Travel Made Easy: 20 Essential Travel Tips

Traveling with your horse is a lot of fun, but it can seem like a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. If you’re ready to travel with your horse but you’re not quite sure where to start, here are 20 tips for how to travel with your horse.

• Choose the Right Travel Trailer
• Inspect Your Travel Trailer and Vehicle
• Ensure Your Horse Can Safely Enter and Exit a Trailer
• Do a Test Drive Before Extended Travel
• Make a Travel Checklist
• Prepare Your Travel Documents
• Prepare a Travel Timetable 
• Check the Weather
• Plan for Recovery Time When Making Plans
• Find Places to Stay
• Take Regular Breaks
• Avoid Grain Before Travel
• Use Trailer Bedding 
• Check Your Horse’s Weight and Vital Signs
• Carry First-Aid Supplies
• Consider Using Shipping Boots
• Pack Your Horse Last
• Use Caution When Unloading Your Horse
• Bring Plenty of Hay
• Bring Plenty of Water
• Take Steps to Avoid Shipping Fever

Now that you know all the tips, let’s dive into each one a bit deeper.

Essential Horse Travel Tips

Tip 1: choose the right horse travel trailer.

Horse trailers come in all shapes and sizes, but if you want to ensure your horse will be comfortable for their journey, you’ll need to do some research before purchasing or renting one.

Types of Horse Trailers

Slant-Load Trailers

The majority of horse owners prefer slant-load trailers because they are able to hold more horses in a shorter length trailer. Additionally, the rear entrances of these trailers are very spacious, making the trailer appear more inviting for an anxious horse that might be tentative to board otherwise.

Customizable dividers within the trailer make it easy to use the trailer for your specific needs. There is plenty of storage space at the rear corners as well as the front part of the trailer, and there is enough space for horses to be turned around within the trailer so that they can be led out head first.

Straight-Load Trailers 

Straight-Load trailers are the next most popular option. People like straight-load trailers because they usually offer plenty of headspace to carry taller horses, have enough space for horses to lower their heads and brace themselves with their legs, and a walkout door that allows you to remove one horse at a time if needed.

It can be difficult to load a nervous horse onto these trailers due to their narrow appearance. Another aspect to be aware of in these trailers is that the horse will have to back off; there is no way to turn the horse around in these trailers. That being said, you want to make sure you have a horse that will willingly back off a trailer if you plan to purchase a straight-load.

Straight Load trailers appeal to the horse owner who doesn’t want to lug a big massive trailer around. Straight-load trailers are usually only made for two horses, so they’re lighter and smaller.

Stock Trailers  

Next, we have stock trailers or livestock trailers. Stock trailers are a popular choice because they are typically cheaper than horse trailers, but still, come the option of customizing their interior for your specific needs when purchasing them new.

Stock trailers are the most inviting for a nervous horse or a horse that isn’t good with loading. These trailers a wide and spacious with no dividers, allowing you to fit more horses in them than any other type of trailer.

When selecting your trailer, make sure that it is strong enough to carry the weight of your horse as well as all of the gear that you plan to take with you. You should also make sure that there is plenty of headspace for your horse, that they have room to lower their heads, and that the trailer is well ventilated.

Tip 2: Inspect Your Horse Travel Trailer and Vehicle

Before you take to the roads, it’s important that you make sure that both your trailer and your vehicle are in good condition.

Travel Trailer Inspection 

Inspect the interior of your horse trailer to make sure that there aren’t any sharp or jagged edges that the horse can harm themselves on. A trailer with a lot of rusty edges is just asking for trouble.

You should also sweep and wipe out the interior of the trailer to remove any dust. Once you start traveling, that dust could cause respiratory issues for your horse if not removed beforehand.

You will also want to check your boarding ramps if your trailer has them, to ensure that they are sturdy and not easy to slip on. Check your tires to make sure they’re in good working order and have enough air. Lastly, check the trailer hitch to make sure everything looks safe.

Vehicle Inspection

For your vehicle, we recommend taking it to a shop for a thorough inspection before any kind of extended travel. The last thing you want when you’re towing your horse it to have car trouble, so the extra expense of going to a shop can be well worth it.

Additionally, make sure that the vehicle you’ll be using to tow your horse trailer is properly rated to pull the amount of weight that you’ll have.

Tip 3: Ensure Your Horse Can Enter and Exit a Trailer Before Traveling

For a horse that is used to the wide open spaces of a pasture, entering a small and dark horse trailer can be very intimidating. In the weeks and months leading up to your trip, you should begin doing exercises with your horse to help prepare them to enter a trailer.

Begin by getting them used to being around the trailer and rewarding them for any sign of curiosity that they demonstrate. Once they’re comfortable, allow them to stand with just their two front legs in the trailer. After they do this for a minute or so, have them back out. Eventually, they should enter the trailer and back out of the trailer willingly. If you’d like to learn more about training your horse to board a trailer, here’s a great video we found that will help .

Tip 4: Do a Test Drive With Your Horse Before Extended Travel

Before driving somewhere with your horse for hours on end, it’s a good idea to take at least one test drive with them beforehand. Even if it’s just a 15 or 30-minute drive, doing a test drive will help you practice loading them up and you’ll be able to see how they react to the experience and make other preparations if necessary.

The test drive will also get you comfortable being behind the wheel of a vehicle pulling a horse trailer. It’s important that the driver avoids any sudden stops are lurching starts. These movements can easily through your horse off balance and the could possibly hurt themselves.

Be sure to reward your horse after unloading so that they learn that riding in the trailer is a good thing, and not something that should be avoided.

Tip 5: Make a Horse Travel Checklist

Whether you’re traveling to a competition or to a scenic trail ride location, make sure that you have a good travel checklist with everything that you will need for your journey. Look over this list in the days leading up to your trip to make sure that you have everything that you’ll need.

A good rule of thumb is to bring extras of all essential items like food, water, and riding tack. Even if you think you’ll be fine, having extras of the essentials prepares you for unexpected situations.

A sample checklist might include:

• Horse First Aid Kit
• Health/Registration Papers
• Grooming Equipment
• Spare Halter and Lead Rope
• Multiple Buckets
• Multiple Bridles
• Spare Reins
• Spare Stirrup Leathers
• Extra Water and Hay
• Sawdust Shavings

Tip 6: Prepare Your Horse Travel Documents

A few months before your trip, you should begin gathering all of the documents that you will need. What travel documents do you need to travel with a horse with the US? You’ll need the following.

• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
• Coggins Testing Paperwork

Keep in mind that the exact requirements for paperwork can vary from state to state, so we recommend looking into the rules for the state that you’ll be traveling through. You can find more information on the official USDA website .

When getting the CVI, a veterinarian will thoroughly inspect your horse and will be able to tell you if they are in healthy condition to travel or not. You should also ask the vet if there are any vaccines they recommend getting for the particular area that you will be traveling to.

Tip 7: Prepare a Horse Travel Timetable

Before you head out on the road with your horse, it’s a good idea to have a travel timetable in the hands of your close friends or loved ones. This can be as simple as picking out a few checkpoints on your journey, letting your friends or family know when you should be there, and telling them you’ll call once you reach your destination. This way, if anything goes awry, you’ll have people that can help.

If you’re traveling all day and you’re concerned that your phone might run out of battery before you’re supposed to check in, we recommend getting a small portable charger that can give you some additional battery life. If you don’t have a cell phone, you can also give the address and phone number of the place you will be staying and plan to call once you reach there.

One last good safety precaution would be to create an emergency contact card to keep in the glove box of your vehicle.

Tip 8: Check the Weather Before Traveling With Your Horse

As you’re putting together your travel plans, something important that you should consider is the weather. If you’re traveling in the summer, keep in mind that the interior of a trailer becomes very hot when left in the sun for any length of time. Whenever possible, park your trailer in the shade, and make certain that your trailer has good ventilation. Bring lots of water and offer it to your horse any time you can.

You should purchase a small thermometer to keep in the trailer to check each time you stop. If outside temperatures will be 90 degrees or above, leave as early as possible in the morning so you can beat the heat. Find alternate route options that you can take should you run into traffic. Without the wind from moving, your horse trailer will heat up much faster in stop and go traffic.

If you’re traveling in the winter, make certain that your horse stays well fed and hydrated so they can easily maintain their body temperature. If your horse has been clipped and you’ll be driving through extremely cold temperatures, you should consider bringing a horse blanket along to use. To learn more about taking care of your horse in the cold, you can check out an article we wrote here .

One of the tricky aspects of traveling with a horse is that you can encounter a wide range of weather throughout your travels, so it’s best to stay prepared for any weather conditions you might come across.

Tip 9: Plan for Travel Recovery Time for Your Horse

If you’re traveling to a competition, keep in mind that many horses can become ill for several days after traveling. To ensure your horse will be in healthy condition for competing, it’s recommended that you arrive several days early for your horse to recover. If your horse demonstrates any unusual behavior after travel, you should contact a veterinarian right away to come and inspect their condition.

Make sure you have the contact information of a veterinarian near or in the area you’ll be traveling to. That way if your horse does turn up sick, you can avoid a lot of stress trying to find a vet at that moment.

Tip 10: Find Places to Stay Before Traveling With Your Horse

When searching for a place to stay while traveling with a horse, it can sometimes be difficult to find suitable accommodation. Because of this, you should never start traveling without knowing exactly where you’ll be staying that night.

There are several online resources like this one that can help you locate good places to board your horse overnight. If you’re not able to find something online, your next best option is asking your equestrian friends for referrals of places to stay. If this fails, you can always try calling stables in the area you’re traveling through and try to set up an arrangement with them to board your horse overnight.

If you find somewhere online to stay, do your best to find reviews from other people that have stayed there. When you arrive at where you plan to stay, always inspect the stall where your horse is to be held and make sure it’s in a safe condition BEFORE you unload your horse or sign any papers.

Be sure to bring along hay for your horses to have at the accommodations because many places do not provide this for overnight boarders. There are many facilities that have campgrounds for the horse owners and corrals for the horses, so if you’d rather be close to your horse, these are great places to stay.

Tip 11: Take Regular Breaks When Traveling With Your Horse

While you might be fine only taking a few pit stops, your horse, on the other hand, needs to stop every 3 to 4 hours.  Traveling long distances can be hard on your horse’s legs because they are constantly having to balance. Stopping allows them a much-needed rest. In addition to this, it’s recommended that your horse eat and drink at least every 3 hours or so in order to decrease the likelihood of colic.

Each time you stop you should offer your horse food and water and check the temperature of their trailer. If your horse is consistently breathing quickly and heavily, they could be overheated. You should check their temperature at this point. If it is above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, you should contact a veterinarian.

In order to make sure that you’re able to stop as frequently as you need to, find rest areas or other locations you can use to stop on your route and mark them on your map. Consider setting an alarm on your phone between each stop to help you remember when your horse needs a break.

Tip 12: Avoid Grain Before Traveling With Your Horse

Some veterinarians and experienced haulers do not recommend feeding grain to a horse before leaving on a long trip or along the way. Grain and the stress of travel put together can sometimes cause colic, so sticking with good, clean hay can help minimize your chances of colic on the road.

Tip 13: Use Trailer Bedding When Traveling With Your Horse

While most horse trailers come with rubber mats already over the flooring, some trailers do not. You’ll see that some trailers have floors made out of wooden planks while others may just have a solid steel floor. On both of these surfaces, horses can slip and fall.

By putting down a rubber mat for your horse to stand on, you’ll minimize the risk of injury. Rubber provides grip to keep your horse on their feet. It also offers a softer surface for your horse to stand on. Rubber absorbs the bumps and vibrations of the road, offering much less stress on your horse’s joints.

Some horse owners like to put sawdust shavings over the rubber matt in order to provide even more cushion for the horse. Sawdust shavings also make it easier to clean out any horse-waste from the trailer.

Tip 14: Check Your Horse’s Weight and Vital Signs Before Travel

Check their weight before, during and after their trip. A horse can tend to lose up to 50 Lbz during extended travel, so it’s important to track your horse’s weight. If they’ve lost for than 75 Lbz, your horse may be experiencing shipping fever.

Check your horse’s vital signs as you travel. Look at gums to determine the hydration level. Pale pink gums are an indicator that they are well hydrated. check their temperature, pulse and respiratory rate. If any of these are elevated, increase your break time to see if you can get it back under control. Always have a vet’s phone number on hand to call and ask questions if need be.

Tip 15: Carry Horse First-Aid Supplies When Traveling

Traveling with a first aid kit for your horse is highly recommended. Even minor cuts and scrapes on your horse should be cleaned out properly in order to avoid the risk of infections, and a horse first aid kit will come with everything you need for the job. Here are some of the common items that you’ll find in a horse first aid kit.

• Thermometer
• Wound Cleaning Supplies
• Non-adherent Bandages
• Sharp Knife
• Antibiotic Medications
• Sterile Gloves
• Hand Sanitizer
• Coarse Salt

If you’re short for time and you can’t get all of these items together, here’s a basic horse first aid kit you can use.

Tip 16: Use Horse Shipping Boots When Traveling

Shipping boots are padded coverings that stretch above your horse’s knee all the way down around the pasterns.

When used correctly, shipping boots can add an extra layer of protection for your horse’s legs. This can be especially important if you’re traveling in a narrow trailer, or your horse has balance issues. However, if you plan on using these, it’s recommended that you start getting your horse used to them in the weeks leading up to your trip.

As you travel, check the boots whenever you can to make certain that they are still on correctly and that no obstructions have fallen into the boots. Discomfort and injury can be caused to the horse if the boots aren’t on correctly or hay or other materials have fallen into them.

Tip 17: Use Caution When Unloading Your Horse While Traveling

When you have finally reached your destination and you’re starting to unload your horse, exercise caution. Your horse has just stood in a trailer for hours on end with little to no physical activity; they’re probably restless and ready to get off the trailer.

Just like humans, some horses tend to get cranky during long travels. Be careful, especially if you’re by yourself, with unloading your horse. Always avoid putting yourself between your horse and a wall or behind your horse as they come out of the trailer. They could fly back and easily run into you.

Tip 18: Bring Plenty of Hay for Your Horse When Traveling

Horses can eat up to 3% of their body weight a day. Since your horse won’t be able to graze in a trailer, you need to offer another solution. By giving your horse plenty of hay during your travels, you’ll keep their stomachs happy as well as give them a nice distraction from the stress of traveling.

Make sure you are filling your horse’s hay net at every break. Be sure to bring extra hay if you plan on boarding your horse somewhere overnight, as these places do not usually provide hay for boarders.

It never hurts to carry a few extra bales of hay with you. If you run out of hay, it will be very difficult to replenish your supply while on the road. Always better to be safe than sorry.

Tip 19: Bring Plenty of Water for Your Horse When Traveling

Having plenty of water for your horse as you travel is very important

Investing in some buckets with lids can make carrying water easy during travel. Horses can drink on average seven gallons of water a day. If you are traveling for an extended time, it’s vital that you can meet this quota for your horse.

Horses that are deprived of water can not only suffer from dehydration but also colic. Like mentioned above, be sure to stop every 3-4 hours to offer your horse a drink.

Before your trip, you can start giving your horse electrolytes. Electrolytes will cause your horse to drink more. Another trick you can try if your horse refuses to drink water is to cut up pieces of apple and put them in the water bucket. When the horse tries to get the apple, they’ll also suck up some water.

Tip 20: Take Steps to Protect Your Horse from Shipping Fever 

Shipping fever is an illness that a horse can contract during long-distance travel. It’s basically the equivalent to pneumonia in the fact that particles and bacteria can get into the lungs and airways of your horse.

Not only are trailers known to be dusty and stuffy, but your horse also has to stand with their neck bent upward for a long period of time. Horses were built to have their heads to the ground, which allows their nasal passages and airways to drain. However, when your horse is in the trailer and their head is held up, the only way for the nasal passages to drain is to drain into the lungs.

Shipping fever can be actively avoided in a number of ways. First, make sure that your trailer has good ventilation. Second, make sure you make the trip as comfortable and as easy for your horse as possible. Stress tends to weaken the horse’s immune system, which would make it much easier for a horse to contract shipping fever.

Thirdly, if your horse is not in top health before extended travel, postpone your trip. It’s important to make sure that your horse is always healthy enough to make the trip. If you have any questions regarding your horse’s health, ask a veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Horse Travel Questions

How much does it cost to transport a horse.

If you’re transporting your horse in your own truck and trailer, you can save a lot of money. However, if this isn’t an option for you, then you can hire a transport company to ship your horse for you.

Transport companies can ship all over the country, and rates tend to differ greatly. Rates usually depend on the distance, the needs of your horse, and how soon you need the horse shipped. If you needed to transport a horse from California on the West Coast to Virginia on the East Coast, the trip may cost you anywhere from $1,500-$3,000.

If this is how you plan on transporting your horse, be sure to do your due diligence on the company you decide to go with. You want to make sure your horse will be well-cared for and that you will be communicated with efficiently.

Can a Horse Go On a Plane?

Yes, horses can travel via plane.  This is the main mode of transportation for horses competing in the Olympics or horses being transported to other countries. If you thought plane ticket prices were expensive for you, imagine what they must be for a horse! A horse plane ticket can easily reach $10,000.

If a horse has to take a flight, they usually take a special plane designed just for horse travelers Each horse has a box stall it will stand in during the flight. These horses are sedated to help them deal with the stress of flying!

If you’re done horsin’ around here, you can click here to check out more of our articles.

Carmella Abel

I’m a lifelong horse trainer and horseback rider who’s passionate about teaching others about the things I’ve learned. I grew up competing in numerous English horseback riding disciplines and am now a certified equine massage therapist. I currently own three horses. You can read my full bio here .

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Is that a horse on my flight? New rules clarify which animals can fly with passengers

Abrea Hensley goes everywhere with her miniature horse. To the grocery store. To restaurants. To the movies.

Hensley’s horse is a lifesaver. With a variety of psychiatric disorders, Hensely depends on Flirty to alert her to anxiety attacks, steady her mobility and remind her about taking her meds.

Flirty stands about 27 inches at the shoulder, and came into Hensley’s life two years ago.

“She’s given me back my independence. Before I got her, I couldn’t even do simple tasks,” she said. “I was almost homebound before I got her.”

Now they could even fly commercial together —although Hensley hasn’t attempted to do that yet.

Although service animals have been allowed on flights, the U.S. government recently clarified the rules to specify that service horses can fly with their humans in need.

While Hensley said she isn’t ready to bring Flirty on a plane and possibly deal with reactions from fliers, she wants people to realize that service miniature horses are no different than support dogs.

“People don’t realize the level of training these animals have,” Hensley said. “They won’t poop on the plane. They are potty trained.”

For years, guidelines on which service and comfort animals could board a flight were called confusing and vague. Passengers, and even the crew, questioned the verification process for furry seatmates.

Growing public pressure from airlines and passengers led the U.S. Department of Transportation to create  the new, clarified guidelines.

Here is what the DOT says:

“We believe that it would be in the public interest and within our discretionary authority to prioritize ensuring that the most commonly recognized service animals (i.e., dogs, cats, and miniature horses ) are accepted for transport.”

Before you worry about snakes on a plane, airlines can still say no to reptiles, along with ferrets, rodents and spiders.

But airlines cannot ban a specific species or breed of service animals, like Delta tried to do with pit bulls . “Enforcement action,” however, will only be on a case-by-case basis, according to the final statement document.

Airlines will still have the call on refusing to let an animal aboard. They can say no if the animal:

▪ is believed to be a threat to health or safety.

▪ is too large or too heavy for the cabin.

▪ is disruptive and is not in complete control of the owner.

▪ isn’t housebroken.

▪ isn’t allowed in the country the plane is traveling to.

Airlines can request owners with emotional support animals give 48 hours’ notice and fill out paperwork, including a mental health professional form attesting to the need for the animal.

The agency gave airlines up to 30 days to update their policies to reflect the new regulations. Some of the suggestions and restrictions were already in individual airline policies.

Jessica Wellman, a service miniature horse handler and service animal trainer, hopes the clarifications will “make it easier for people who legitimately have and require the use of service animals instead of the people who go on and say this animal is a service or ESA [emotional support animal] to get them on a free flight.”

But frequent fliers like Abe Laeser, a former Miami-Dade prosecutor who has severe dog allergies, aren’t sure the clarifications will solve anything.

“It seems silly to bring a horse on [a plane]. What’s next? A baby rhinoceros? A pet alligator?” said Laeser, who lives in Weston. “Someone is going to have an iguana they caught in their backyard and they’re going to want it in there.”

Forget about iguanas — miniature horses are great service animals for mobility work, Wellman said. One of the perks is that they live long, up to 35 years, and can work for about 20 years.

COMFORT ANIMALS ‘ARE THE PROBLEM’

While Laeser finds the thought of a horse — even a mini one — on a plane odd, he said he doesn’t have a problem with trained service animals in general. He just doesn’t want untrained “comfort animals” flying in the cabin with him.

“I find there is a pet on almost every flight that I take,” Laeser said.

Unlike a service animal that is trained to do specific tasks like leading blind and visually impaired people around obstacles or detecting seizures before they strike, any animal can qualify to be a comfort animal with typically little or no training. These animals provide emotional support and comfort to their owners through companionship.

Laeser doesn’t agree with the 1986 Air Carrier Access, which requires airlines to carry not just trained animals but any animal that “assist the customer with physical/emotional/psychiatric/medical support.”

People, Laeser said, are using the vagueness of the term “comfort animal” to cheat the system and get their pet to travel for free without a cage.

“They are making a decision to have Fido on their lap and somehow that’s more important than me being able to breathe for two or three days,” he said.

Maria Olga Toledo, who lives in Miami, agrees and said she’s had several “nightmare” experiences on a plane. In one of them, a cat with a long leash began running up and down the aisles when she was sleeping, and almost gave her a “heart attack” when it went through her legs.

HER INCIDENT WAS TAME COMPARED TO OTHERS

In December 2017, an  emotional support pit bull bit a 5-year-old girl  on the face at an airport in Portland, Oregon. In June 2017, another emotional support dog flying with an ex-marine reportedly attacked the man sitting next to the marine.

“Flight attendants have been bitten by some of these emotional support animals,” Taylor Garland, spokeswoman for the Association of Flight Attendants union, told the Miami Herald in February 2018. “Emotional support dogs that were clearly not trained to be on a plane  have bitten real service dogs  who are. There’s a security issue — any kind of chaos in the cabin, the crew has got to worry that it’s a diversionary tactic for something much worse.”

And don’t forget the poop and pee.

“Defecation and urination are a big issue,” Garland said. “A big issue.”

Laeser also doesn’t believe the airlines are properly vetting the furry passengers.

“No one from the airlines is at the gate asking if you have the right papers,” Laeser said. “I don’t care what the airlines say no one is getting thrown off because they didn’t bring their papers with them.”

It’s also easy to buy an official-looking emotional support  certificate  or  ID card  bearing your pet’s holographic image online, though some airlines like American Airlines have reinforced their policy to require a letter from a mental health professional reaffirming the passenger’s need for the animal.

Those who are caught  misrepresenting a service animal , however, could be fined $500 in Florida and may face up to 60 days in jail.

While Hensley and Wellman don’t think fake service and comfort animals are as common as some make it seem, they both say it causes trouble for those with real service animals. They themselves have experienced it.

Hensley, who lives in Nebraska, said Flirty is about two inches taller than a golden retriever. A Great Dane, which is a popular service dog breed, “would tower over her,” according to Hensley. It doesn’t stop the “harassment.”

People have tried to climb onto Flirty, who weighs 136 pounds, and have even told Hensley she shouldn’t be bringing livestock inside. They don’t realize she’s a legitimate service horse, she said.

Wellman, who lives in Ocala and is a service animal trainer, has also had problems at home.

One of her neighbors didn’t like having Honey, a 31-inch tall miniature service horse, and a service horse in training next door. The problem quickly escalated.

“We had to go to court to keep her on our property,” Wellman said.

Wellman has a progressive autoimmune disease that gives her joint and inflammation issues. She also has Crohn’s disease. She already had a service dog but luck brought Honey to her.

“I actually won her in a $5 raffle,” she said. “I never intended to really get her. I pretty much put money in to a raffle. ... Then they called me and were like, ‘You won!’ And I was like, ‘Oh, goodie, what did I win?’

“She was the grand prize.”

Since that day in 2010, her “cane with a brain” has been helping her move around. She also provides some emotional support.

“She’s freedom, she’s security, she’s really just always able to help me out no matter what,” Wellman said. “That freedom of not having to rely on another human being to do just kind of normal simple things that most people take for granted.”

Wellman and Hensley said people need to realize that the animals they’re seeing in restaurants or flights with behavior problems aren’t legitimate service animals. Honey and Flirty, for instance, received training for two years.

People, Wellman said, rarely notice or hear stories of service animals doing their jobs — like earlier this month when a woman traveling to West Palm Beach  passed out and was saved by her service dog .

Since 2011, the  American Disability Act  has allowed miniature horses that are “individually trained to work and perform tasks for a person with a disability” to be considered service animals. Previously, only dogs were officially recognized.

That doesn’t mean you won’t have a  service pig or monkey as your seatmate . They could be considered service animals , but it’s up to individual carriers to decide on a case-by-case basis, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act National Network.

But, what about a peacock?

While airlines are not required to accept “unusual service animals,” the policy does not completely define the term. Airlines requested that the DOT declare a wide variety of species — including birds, hedgehogs and animals with hooves and horns — “unusual service animals” and allow them to be categorically banned. The agency refused, saying it didn’t have the authority.

Now that the DOT has clarified that miniature horses can take to the skies, what’s it like to fly with one?

Here’s how it works for Southwest Airlines, which made headlines last year after its updated policy said trained service dogs, cats and miniature horses  were welcome on flights.

After checking in at the ticket counter, the passenger and the miniature service horse would board at the gate area, according to a Southwest Airlines spokeswoman. The horse would then be accommodated on the floor of the first row of seats at the forward bulkhead wall, which typically has more room, she said.

Here's a miniature horse on a plane pic.twitter.com/1aSt94nvDW — Dr. James Kelleher (@etienneshrdlu) October 22, 2016

Even with the extra space, Wellman said she would probably buy the seats in the entire row if she decided to fly to make sure she wouldn’t bother anyone.

But, Wellman and Hensley hope the consideration goes both ways.

“Ignore the service animal,” Hensley said. “Pretend it’s not there and interact with the person like they’re a normal human being.”

SPECIAL NOTE TO CLIENTS REGARDING COVID-19

Dear valued clients,

During this challenging time that we are all enduring, it is with sincerity we express to all of our customers that we here at Tex Sutton are committed to making wise decisions as pertains to our operations. The health and safety of all persons involved is our number one priority.

Currently, there are no Federal or State flight restrictions affecting us. As such, flights will continue to operate as planned, barring any changes to the current situation.

We continue to sanitize equipment, practice personal cleansing (hand washing etc.) and are avoiding close personal contact as recommended.

With the many uncertainties, we are unable to publish a long-term flight schedule but we stand prepared to meet your horse transportation needs once competitions resume.

Be safe, stay well.

Rob Clark President

Tex Sutton Equine Air Transportation

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The partners of EquiJet have been well established in the competitive horse world for more than 20 years and have been in the import and export business for more than 15 years. With lifetime passions for riding, training and taking care of horses, our expertise and knowledge of the nuances of equine travel are unparalleled in the business.

EquiJet understands that comprehensive and clear logistical solutions to your shipping needs are of the utmost importance and will ensure that your horses are headed to their final destination with the proper documentation, safely and on time.

We are horse people first, dedicated to the wellbeing of your horse in transit and to its destination in top condition. Our top priorities in shipping your horses are safety and service, and we are absolutely committed to professionalism, detail and timeliness.

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Horse breaks free mid-air, forcing cargo plane’s return to New York

Boeing 747 cargo plane turns back after horse becomes untethered in flight and pilot says ‘We cannot get the horse back secured’

A cargo plane heading for Belgium was forced to return to New York City after a horse escaped from its crate on board.

The horse became loose on the Boeing 747 cargo plane within 30 minutes of the plane’s initial takeoff, according to the audio clips from air traffic control that were reconstructed on YouTube , ABC News reported .

“We have [a] live animal … horse … on board the airplane,” the plane’s pilot told air traffic control.

“We need to return back to New York. We cannot get the horse back secured,” the pilot said, adding that flying the plane was not a problem.

The pilot also requested a vet for the horse upon the plane’s return to the John F Kennedy airport in Queens, but the pilot did not elaborate on possible injuries sustained by the horse.

The plane also had to dump 20 tonnes of fuel into the Atlantic Ocean “approximately 10 miles west of Martha’s Vineyard”, due to the weight of the plane.

Once the plane landed, the pilot requested assistance with the horse on the plane’s ramp.

“We have a horse … in difficulty,” the pilot said.

Air Atlanta Icelandic, the plane’s operator, did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.

This latest incident is not the first time an animal has escaped its cargo stall while onboard a plane.

In August, a bear escaped from its crate on a flight operated by Iraqi Airways that was departing from Dubai to Baghdad, Associated Press reported .

Video footage of the bear went viral, showing the animal walking around the plane’s cargo compartment.

In the video, aircraft staff are seen petting the bear in an attempt to keep the creature calm. The bear was later sedated and removed from the aircraft, but customers complained online that the trouble with the bear caused major travel delays.

An unnamed Iraqi Airways official later confirmed to AP that the bear was transported to Baghdad in the end.

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We are the global market leader in horse transport with experience spanning over 45 years. As a business we are extremely proud of our success which is grounded in trust and an unwavering commitment to our clients and their specific needs.

With vast experience in the shipment of all types of equine breeds and a global footprint across five countries, we understand the nuances of global markets; be they diverse customer needs, government requirements or market forces. Each IRT office has an IRT Partner at the helm, all with industry experience spanning 10 to 50 years in the horse shipping arena.

Widely renowned as a world class horse transporter, we take great pride in our customer relationships, our reputation for first class service, the rigour we apply to safety and compliance, and our expert employees.

As IRT reflects on over four decades in the industry, company founder Quentin Wallace would like to send a message to its supporters across the world:

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Whether it's flying a champion racehorse, Standardbred, Olympian or treasured pet, IRT's commitment to serving the international horse community has stood the test of time.

Before the flight

During the flight, after the flight.

Before your horses travel anywhere around the world, IRT trained staff are at your service to guide you through the many requirements of International Equine Travel.

IRT take care of all pre-flight requirements, step by step, leaving you with complete peace of mind.

IRT provides the following pre-flight services:

• International Airfreight and Charter Services
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It could be said that what really sets IRT apart as the best in the business is the in-flight experience. Your horse will enjoy unrivalled levels of care and comfort while in the air with particular attention paid to:

• Transit and Stalls
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After the flight, all horses continue to be supervised by IRT staff right through to quarantine release.

The post-flight experience is oriented around customs and quarantine protocols and safe delivery of your horse:

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All you need to know

No. IRT will complete all necessary tests required on your behalf.

No. IRT take care of all import/export permit requirements at the port of arrival and departure.

IRT can easily organize transport. However, if you particularly wish to deliver your horse, arrangements can sometimes be made for you to do this.

IRT - as part of the planning process for each shipment, an IRT consultant will send you a questionnaire. Once you have completed this and returned it to the appropriate IRT office, all necessary Customs arrangements can be made on your behalf.

Payment will be required 7 days prior to the departure of the shipment.

Pre Export Isolation (PEI) is required on most exports, with length determined by the country which the horse is being exported to/from.

Depending on shipment sizes, available groom seats and airline policies. As a general rule, all IRT shipments are supervised by an animal air attendant (or 'groom') provided by IRT.

No deposit is required, however similar to passenger tickets, payment is required a minimum of 7 days prior to the departure of the shipment.

We advise all clients to contact with their IRT representative regarding upcoming flight dates and possible intake windows for quarantine.

To make a booking please complete the IRT Shippers Letter of Instruction .

Again depending on country requirements, will determine how in-foal a mare may travel. For example horses may travel up to 300 days in foal to NZ however only up to 240 days in foal to South Africa.

IRT advises that all horses are insured therefore talk to your current insurer to discuss adding a transit policy for travel and any geographical limitations your policy may have. If you require insurance IRT can have our Insurance Company call you to discuss options and costs.

Depending on location and distance from port of origin, there will often be fuel or cargo drop/collection stops on the way. IRT Pro Grooms remain with the horses at any stops on the way, and are pre-customs cleared in and out of each country, ensuring your horses are never left unattended.

The horse stalls are loaded on the ground and then raised into the aircraft by lift, maneuvered into place and locked into position.

IRT will supply a new head collar and lead when the horse arrives in our care. When IRT organises pre-flight quarantine a loan rug will be provided for this stage of the shipment.

IRT generally recommend against the use of leg bandages and wraps/boots. If you wish your horse to travel with these, please speak with your IRT consultant.

For the safety of your horse and the people handling it during transit, IRT generally recommend all shoes be removed for the journey. Exceptions can be made for horses with tender feet or brittle hooves.

No. Tranquillizer is generally only administered if deemed absolutely necessary on safety grounds.

All horses travel in an airline approved horse stall.

Yes. We commonly refer to a single space in a stall being economy (3 horses to a horse stall), space & ½ being business (2 horses to a stall) or First Class being 1 horse in a stall on its own.

In most cases, PAQ will be spent in an approved quarantine facility conveniently located to the port of arrival. However, quarantine regulations vary depending upon country of import - refer to your IRT consultant for further information.

In most cases your horse will be met by an IRT representative or their Agent.

Yes. As a general rule IRT will advise you once the horse has arrived at its destination. However, if your local representative is meeting the horse they would normally contact you direct. IRT takes particular care to make sure horse owners are well informed throughout the shipping process and make staff members responsible for your shipment readily available.

All Government quarantines are supervised by representatives from the local veterinary authority. Depending upon the route, the care of your horse will be in the hands of an IRT representative or their Agent or the quarantine manager.

All horses arriving into Australia (except from New Zealand) must do post arrival quarantine at Government’s Post Arrival Quarantine Facility.

No. Horses can only travel on main deck cargo freighters.

IRT - as part of the planning process for each shipment, an IRT consultant will send you a questionnaire. Once you have completed this and returned it to the appropriate IRT office, all necessary Customs arrangements can be made on your behalf both for the departure and arrival customs entries.

In the USA, we use these major airports for domestic horse transportation: Los Angeles, Newark, Indianapolis, Oakland, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Honolulu, Anchorage, Orlando, Memphis, and Baltimore-Washington.

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Christopher Burke

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For over 20 years, Chris has been instrumental in maintaining IRT's edge in an increasingly competitive market. Combining equine expertise with his passion for problem solving has helped him drive progressive business practices and innovation.

Lachlan Ford

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With over 15 years experience and a genuine passion for the horse industry, Lachlan understands global market requirements, helping him successfully fulfil his clients' needs, specifically in the Asian and South African Markets.

Selwyn Wallace

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With over a decade experience in customer service and logistics, Selwyn joined IRT in 2015 managing the Los Angeles Office before returning home to IRT Australia in 2018. The son of IRT Founder, Quentin Wallace, Selwyn's passion for the industry and ability to navigate the complexities of equine logistics has been a lifetime in the making.

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As co-founder of IRT NZ with over 38 years in airfreight logistics, equine disease and in bound quarantine requirements, David has contributed enormously to IRT's success and remains a proactive leader in the horse industry.

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Richard combines his passion for the horse industry with many years' experience in global licensing to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. Richard's operational background offers a keen understanding of meeting client needs.

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Matt has been with IRT for nearly 20 years. Having forged his career from the ground up with IRT, Matt is a terrific example of what a relentless drive for success can achieve.

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Martin brings to the IRT leadership team a strong equine industry pedigree, with experience spanning 20+ years in both shipping and high-profile stud farms. Having held senior roles in Australia, USA and the UK, Martin has a deep knowledge of shipping and understands the protocol nuances across different markets.

Claudia Friedrichs

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A proud German, with over 16 years’ experience in the equine industry across Germany, Europe and the USA, Claudia brings to the IRT team a deep understanding of logistics, coupled with an innate understanding of her clients’ needs. A passionate horse owner herself, Claudia has a genuine love of the industry.

Quentin Wallace

As our founder, Quentin has successfully guided IRT for 45 years, expanding and maintaining our market leader position. After 50 years shipping horses, Quentin still places great emphasis on customer service and attention to detail.

Tamir Bowen

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Tamir has over 15 years' experience in managing IT and software development and has a passion for keeping IRT at the forefront of new technologies, notably implementing our state of the art, customised CRM system.

IRT's ability to provide high quality services is directly dependent on our staff.

With more than 40 office based staff worldwide, and our team of dedicated and professional attendants, IRT's ability to provide excellent service is dependent on excellent staff. We have a wide range of opportunities for the very best people in the industry who have a genuine passion and the right level of experience.

If you would like to be part of our team, feel free to email a covering letter and your resume to our Human Resources team at employment(at)irt.com.

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APOLLO EQUINE

equine  air  transportation

Apollo equine can oversee the entire horse transportation process.

There's a big difference between horse air transportation and horse ground transportation. Equine air transport is complex and much more intensive: additional paperwork is required; stringent legal requirements are in place and must be met; greater manpower is invested per horse shipped. Mistakes are costly.

SHIPPING YOUR HORSE BY AIR IS OUR SPECIALTY.

With experience shipping hundreds of horses by air, Apollo Equine has streamlined this process. We've got experience dealing with almost every scenario imaginable. Our experience and expertise include both the international importation of horses into the U.S. and the exportation of horses to other countries, as well as domestic air transport throughout the country.

But we are more than just air transport.  Through our affiliations with ground transport specialists both in the U.S. and overseas, we offer seamless, barn-to-barn service. 

Click below to learn more​

We’ve had the pleasure of transporting racehorses, show horses, and family pet horses.

We’re excited to help you ship your horse!

Apollo Equine specializes in the importation of horses into the USA, principally on the West Coast, but we can also assist for imports into the East Coast. The entire import process is the same for any horse but the logistics are different depending on the country of origin. We work with a number of agents around the world. As a team, we can help organize your trip from the stable of origin, the flight to the USA and the importation, through quarantine and - if requested - delivery to your barn.  

Stall Options:

Horses are flown in jet stalls. These stalls can accommodate up to three adult horses. If you are importing foals, weanlings or yearlings, you have the option of flying 4+ young horses (yearlings or younger) depending on their size. Of course, the airline will have the final say for the horses' safety. 

Most horses are flown in a triple (single stall). Your horse would fly with two other horses. This is the least expensive option, also known as “economy class”.  

If you would like for your horse to have more room and travel more comfortably on his/her flight, please consider flying in a stall and a half (double stall). Your horse would fly with one other horse. This option costs more but your horse would very much appreciate flying “business class”.

The Details:

All horses are accompanied by a professional horse attendant. Having an experienced horse handler attend to the horses during the loading, flight and offloading process is very beneficial for the safety of the horses, as some can become very restless and endanger themselves and/or others.

We make all necessary arrangements in Los Angeles for you. These include standard import quarantine, USDA monitoring, USDA lab testing, USDA import permits, transportation from aircraft to quarantine, accredited private veterinarian for blood draw and medical treatment if necessary, transfer of blood from Los Angeles to NVSL in Ames, Iowa, customs clearance, equipment pick up from airline, vanning to final destination and CEM quarantine reservations. We, Apollo, are always present at every import into the U.S. and ensure that the horse is put into quarantine safe and secure.

To learn more about the import process and requirements, read or download our fact sheet:

Each country of destination has their own health requirements we must meet before your horse can fly. We work along with your veterinarian to schedule pre-export quarantine, blood draw & testing, check vaccination records, and help prepare all international health papers. All health papers must be pre-approved before being endorsed by the USDA. We make the booking with the airline, we can organize transportation to the airport, get your health papers endorsed by the USDA, personalize the care of your horse and coordinate with the import agent in your country of destination.

Horses are flown in jet stalls. These stalls can accommodate up to three adult horses. If you are importing foals, weanlings or yearlings, you have the option of flying 4+ horses (yearlings or younger) depending on their size. Of course, the airline will have the final say for the horses' safety. 

Most horses are flown in a triple (single stall). Your horse would fly with two other horses. This is the least expensive option also known as “economy class”.  

To learn more about the export process and requirements, read or download our fact sheet:

Air transport.

Apollo Equine offers domestic flight shipping for your horse(s). As with international flying, we can also assist with ground transportation to and from the airport.

Your horse(s) can be flown in either a single or stall and a half to any destination within the continental U.S. via FedEx.

Two grooms are required by FedEx, but we always advise that one is a professional groom and the second can be your personal groom. All grooms must be cleared through FedEx, a process that can take up to three months. 

Plane forced to return to JFK Airport after horse on board gets loose

The cargo jet had ascended 31,000 feet, according to FlightRadar24.

A 747 cargo plane heading to Belgium from New York was forced to return to John F. Kennedy International Airport after a horse escaped from its stall, according to the air traffic control audio.

According to the audio clip, which was obtained by You Can See ATC via Live ATC, the horse got loose within 30 minutes of takeoff.

The Boeing 747 was barely at 31,000 feet when a pilot told air traffic control that a horse had escaped from its stall and that they needed to return to JFK on Thursday, according to FlightRadar24.

In the air traffic control audio, a pilot is heard saying, "We are a cargo plane with a live animal, a horse, on board. The horse managed to escape its stall. There's no issue with flying, but we need to go back to New York as we can't resecure the horse."

The flight was forced to make a U-turn off the coast of Boston and dump about 20 tons of fuel over the Atlantic, "10 miles west of Martha's Vinyard," due to the flight's weight, according to the audio.

Amid the fuel dump, the pilot requested a veterinarian to be present at JFK when the plane arrived.

MORE: Mom says airline allowed unaccompanied daughter to exit plane alone after flight

Once landed, when ATC asked if the flight required assistance, "On the ground, negative. On the ramp, yes, we have a horse in problem."

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It remains unclear how the horse managed to escape but it remained unrestrained until the plane landed at JFK, according to the audio.

The flight was able to take off a short time later and successfully arrive at Liege Airport on Friday morning, according to FlightRadar24.

Air Atlanta Icelandic, the charter airline operating the flight, did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

ABC News' Sam Sweeney contributed to this report.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions, we have answers..

If you don’t see the answer to your question below, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.

General FAQ’s

We’ve put together a list of some common general questions that clients often have. If you don’t see your question below, please contact us directly.

1. Why does Horseflight need my social security number?

In the international freight world, the horse owner is referred to as the consignee of the horse. Any time a product is imported to or exported from the United States, the name, address, and SSN of the consignee of the item must be provided in a document called the House Airway Bill. This is a legal requirement under U.S. Customs. We assure you that Horseflight will not release your personal information.

2. Will my horse be sent with a blanket?

If a blanket was purchased with the horse, it will arrive with the horse.

3. If the horse is purchased with accompanying equipment, can I expect that equipment to travel with the horse?

​Equipment can travel with the horse, but Horseflight must be notified prior to sending the equipment so that it is listed on the airway bill and accounted for with US customs.

4. When can I see my horse after it arrives in the United States?

Due to heightened security and USDA quarantine regulations, an owners first opportunity to see their horse in person is upon release from quarantine. Horseflight representatives do, however, keep you updated with photos and videos upon arrival to the US. The extent of photo/video are dependent on port rules.

5. Will my horse be tranquilized during the flight?

In most cases, no. The only situation in which a horse will be tranquilized during transport is if the decision is made that the horse has become a danger to itself, other horses, or to people. If your horse is ever tranquilized during transport, you will be notified immediately.

6. Why aren’t prices listed on your website?

There are too many variables in international horse transport to list shipping prices. In the same way that the purchase price of an airline ticket can change daily, so can the cost of shipping a horse. Horseflight always makes the effort to give you the most competitive rate possible. Give us a call anytime and we will discuss your shipment with you.

7. When is payment required?

Payment is due prior to the horse releasing their standard 3-day quarantine. For first time customers, we ask that payment be made prior to departure. For customers with established accounts, timing of payments can be adjusted in order to fit the needs of the customer best.

8. How long is the shipping process?

Lengths of the shipments vary by location. Typically, the trip from barn, to truck, to airplane, to truck, to quarantine is a sequential process, with intervals of only a few hours between legs. For an average shipment departing the seller’s barn in Europe and arriving at the quarantine in Newburgh, New York, the travel time is between 30 and 40 hours.

9. How are the horses cared for on the plane?

A certified groom is assigned to travel with the horses to ensure that they are comfortable and have adequate water and hay. Grooms have access to the horses at all times in flight.

10. What vaccinations does my horse need before he flies to the United States?

Horses are not required to be vaccinated when flying but some owners choose to have them vaccinated beforehand. They cannot be vaccinated within 14 days prior to flight. They are required to fly with a completed health paper with show several negative blood tests depending on if its mare, stallion, or gelding. We want to be a part of this process to ensure that all health papers and blood tests are correct and completed, once you start the purchasing process in the EU makes sure to give us a call!

11. What vaccinations does my horse need before his flight to Europe?

■ Vaccines are not required for exporting into the EU, only a valid Coggins within 30 days

■ EEE/WEE must be administered within 6 months but 30 days prior to export for the UK

12. Who will transport my horse once he is released from USDA?

We have multiple trusted ground shipping companies that we work with regularly and will arrange transport if you would like us to handle the coordination. As the shipment approaches, we will send you quotes and ask for confirmation prior to booking.

13. When will I get my horse’s passport?

Every horse’s passport is sent to our FL or NJ office to be scanned and saved prior to sending to owners, unless prior arrangements have been made (ex: required early for a horseshow). Once payment has been completed, our office will contact you and confirm best mailing address, at which point the passport will be sent.

Domestic FAQ’s

We’ve put together a list of some common domestic-related questions that clients often have. If you don’t see your question below, please contact us directly.

1. What should I send with my horse?

With Fedex flights we ask that you send a full haynet, extra half bale of hay, water bucket, and a bag of shavings. If you are unable to send with the horse, we are happy to provide it for you.

2. How will my horse get to the airport for his flight?

We have multiple ground shipping partners that we can hire for your horse’s trip, unless you would like to arrange ground transport for yourself. If shipping yourself, we recommend a gooseneck that will allow the horse to walk directly off the trailer into the Fedex box.

3. What time does my horse have to be at the airport for his flight?

Horses and grooms flying should be at airport 2 hours prior to take off.

4. What paperwork does my horse need to fly on his domestic flight?

An updated Coggins and a health certificate with his final destination – make sure the shipper on the health certificate is designated as Horseflight.

5. Should I send my horse with wraps?

Front wraps are okay but not necessary, hind wraps are difficult for us to adjust if they kick them down due to the nature of the stalls. This is personal preference.

6. Can I send equipment with my horse?

Each horse can travel with one standard trunk and a small item in the front of the jetstall. Any additional equipment must travel in a separate cargo container for an additional fee.

7. Should I send my horse with a breakaway halter?

We recommend sending them in a leather shipping halter or breakaway. Safety is always our top priority!

8. When will my credit card be changed? And what if I want to pay by check?

Credit cards are not automatically charged unless designated as the preferred form of payment prior to shipment. We ask that you let us know what for of payment you will be using prior to end of shipment.

Have Questions? We Have Answers.

With Fedex flights we recommend sending a full haynet, water bucket, full water jug and a bag of shavings. If you cannot send horse with it we are happy to provide it for you.

We are more than happy to help arrange transport from stable to airport. If you are more comfortable shipping your horse yourself we recommend a gooseneck for loading into the Fedex box. It is always helpful to have all horses going on the flight in one trailer.

An updated coggins and a health certificate with his final destination-shipper will be us.

Front wraps are okay, hind wraps are difficult for us to adjust if they kick them down due to the nature of the stalls. This is personal preference.

Yes, Fedex space is limited in the horse stall if we do not think everything will fit Fedex can provide us with an additional cargo container for $1,750.00. TexSutton is more accommodating with equipment.

We recommend a shipping halter, once horses are in the stall there isn’t anywhere for them to go so they might as well be comfortable!

You have until the day the shipment leaves to provide us with a different form of payment.

Door to Door Has Never Been Easier

All flights are built around your schedule. ​Due to Horseflight’s extensive network, we can arrange all ground transport in conjunction with your flight.

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A Look Inside Air Horse One

How Thoroughbreds travel first-class to the Kentucky Derby

By Terri Peterson Smith

April 29, 2019

Photo: Courtesy of H.E. Sutton Forwarding Company

To travel like a Kentucky Derby racehorse is truly to move in rarefied air. Because like many other top athletes, they don’t wait in long security lines, squeeze into cramped spaces, or take off their (horse)shoes. Instead, many of the Thoroughbreds—along with their entourages of personal grooms, emotional support ponies, and, sometimes, even companion goats—lift off and touch down in a Boeing 727 cargo plane nicknamed “Air Horse One.”

Congaree, with Mike Payne, arrives at the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky.

Coordinated by the Lexington, Kentucky–based H.E. Sutton Forwarding Company—one of the top carriers of racehorses in North America—along with operating partner Kalitta Charters II, Air Horse One can transport up to twenty-one horses from popular track-adjacent destinations such as West Palm Beach, Florida; Ontario, California; and Islip, New York. Most Derby contenders fly into Louisville or Lexington a week or more before the race, says Rob Clark, the company’s president—Clark estimates that this year, Air Horse One will convey about half of them.

Courtesy of H.E. Sutton Forwarding Company

When colts and fillies arrive for their flights, five expert horse handlers lead the 1,000-plus-pound passengers directly from their vans, up a ramp, and onto the plane. They quickly build lightweight modular stalls around each horse, two or three per row. No need to struggle down a narrow aisle to the bathroom; layers of special flooring are under hoof. 

Two passengers on Air Horse One.

Clark says most horses don’t fear flying. The crew routes the plane to avoid turbulence, makes extra-gradual ascents and landings, and offers “light snacks” of hay and water. “Our guys are very good at calming the horses by talking to them, petting them, and relaxing them,” says Clark. “Just good old horsemanship.”

Before the 1960s, time and stress-inducing train and trailer travel limited horses to regional racing. The advent of equine air travel changed the industry, and racehorses now travel internationally—the $3,250 to $4,950 tab deemed well worth it when horses arrive relaxed and ready to run. Clark says Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was a top frequent flyer on Air Horse One before he retired, jetting between his home stable in California and racetracks around the country. Elite status, indeed.

De-boarding.

• Kentucky Derby

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Seeing the total eclipse from 33,000 feet

Despite the pilot’s best efforts, delta’s eclipse flight didn’t offer passengers the best view of totality.

Update: Days after this story published, Delta Air Lines said flight 1010 veered off the path of the totality when air traffic control denied requests to make special maneuvers intended to give passengers the best view.

SOMEWHERE OVER ARKANSAS — As skywatchers gathered across North America on Monday to peer up at a total solar eclipse, a plane full of Delta Air Lines passengers hoped to get a unique view from above the clouds.

But despite the efforts of the pilots on the route from Dallas to Detroit, a glimpse of totality proved elusive for many of the people who had reserved a spot on a flight that promised special maneuvers to get everyone a peek.

Passengers crowded near windows as the plane made a series of turns. However, the angle of the sun in the sky through much of the flight meant it was difficult to see much at all without craning your neck. Questions of “Did you see it?” bounced around the plane.

Kyle Carter, 40, a stay-at-home dad and private pilot from Orlando, said he didn’t see much of the actual eclipse during the flight, but he was happy with what he experienced.

“What I wanted to see, more than the actual eclipse itself, was just the shadow racing toward us from behind,” he said. “I did see that. You could see the darkness come towards us.”

Attorney Scot Kees and his daughter Gabrielle, 8, came from Atlanta for the flight. He said they “got a sliver” of the eclipse.

“Even though we didn’t get it completely, it was a fun community experience,” he said. He pointed out that clouds were an issue for many on the ground, so he’s not sure he would have seen more if he’d traveled somewhere else. “I’m glad we got to see what we did.”

2024 total solar eclipse

Before people on the plane flew into a few minutes of totality, the lights were dimmed and the sky outside grew darker. Flight attendants and the pilot offered a couple of heads-ups. Seat-back screens showed the scenes elsewhere along the path of totality, including Mexico, then Texas and up through Indianapolis.

Passengers got a bag of swag that included “solar eclipse” Sun Chips, a Moon Pie, eclipse glasses, and Delta-branded socks and hat that said “climbing the cosmos.”

Captain Alex Howell said in an interview after the flight landed that he didn’t look at the sun during the flight, but saw the sky turn into a “dark version of dusk.”

“The city lights came on because of the darkness,” he said.

In the lead-up to the eclipse, several airlines publicized their best-chance flights for a prime viewing spot, with more than two dozen crisscrossing the country on Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska and other operators. They were careful to include caveats and make no promises.

“While Delta flight plans have been designed to maximize time within the path of totality, this is subject to change due to factors outside of Delta’s control such as weather and air traffic control that could impact timing and aircraft,” the airline warned.

Delta operated two dedicated eclipse flights from Texas on Monday, including one from Austin. On the flight from Austin to Detroit, a couple wearing eclipse shirts got engaged after passing through totality.

“Everyone was clapping and yelling and just really happy for them,” said Delta spokeswoman Catherine Morrow, who was on the flight. The captain piped up from the flight deck to ask the outcome.

In Dallas, the airport scene was festive Monday morning. Passengers walked under a celestial-themed balloon arch to board, airline representatives handed out glasses and a Yorkie named Delilah posed for photos with her humans.

“It’s her first eclipse, how could she miss it?” said Alan Goldberg, 70, an attorney who lives in New York City and Florida. Monday was Delilah the dog’s second birthday.

Thomas Iwinski, a 34-year-old meteorologist from Detroit, flew to Dallas Monday morning to get on the flight back home that would transport passengers along the path of totality. He described the mood at the gate as “ecstatic, joyful, elated.” He rented a home in Tennessee for the 2017 eclipse but didn’t want to take a chance on clouds this time.

“It’s definitely going to be something that I’ve never experienced before,” he said.

The airline had been planning for the flights for months.

In October, an operations planning staffer mentioned the upcoming eclipse. That led to some brainstorming and spitballing, said Chris Clisham, a flight superintendent at the airline, in a phone interview.

“And dot dot dot, here we are,” he said.

The logistics sound like an SAT word problem: If the plane is traveling at 400 mph and the moon’s shadow is racing at 1,600 mph, where will they overlap? And for how long? Throw in the angle of the sun while you’re at it.

“Fortunately, even though I am a math major, I didn’t have to bring any trigonometry into this equation,” Clisham said. Flight-planning software did the heavy lifting.

The airline first announced an Austin-to-Detroit flight in mid-February, describing it as “specifically for umbraphiles to be able to spend as much time as possible directly within the path of totality.” That flight sold out in a day, so Delta quickly added another one, this time from Dallas.

Jamie Larounis, a D.C.-based travel industry analyst with UpgradedPoints.com , had no special plans to see the eclipse. He was intrigued by Delta’s first flight, but it sold out before he could snag a seat. Then he saw a news release about the Dallas flight.

“Within 30 seconds, I had it booked,” he said. “I dropped everything.”

Before the flight, he said, he dropped 107,500 airline miles to book a first-class seat on the left side of the plane, equivalent to about $1,149. Anyone who heard about the plan assumed he has an extreme interest in eclipses, but he said he is more of an aviation buff.

“They all think I’m some sort of meteorologist, am I some sort of physics whatever,” said Larounis, 34.

Melanie Elliott, 36, of Chapel Hill, N.C., was disappointed to have missed the Austin flight so she leaped at the chance to fly out of Dallas. An astronomy fan who got a degree in physics, she was wearing astronaut earrings, a solar system necklace and a star and moon ring. After the flight, she said the view of totality — as she “was like laying on the right side of the seat” to try to see — was “a little disappointing.” She said she’ll watch her next eclipse from the ground.

But there was one huge perk for her: Astronaut Scott Kelly spoke at a post-flight party in Detroit and posed for pictures with passengers.

“Scott Kelly touched my moon tattoo,” Elliott said. “Kind of worth it.”

During the last eclipse visible from North America, in 2017, photographer Jon Carmichael tried to win a spot on a special Alaska Airlines flight so he could photograph the eclipse from the sky. He lost out, but pored over flight schedules and compared them with the eclipse path to find a Southwest flight from Portland, Ore., to St. Louis.

With the help of the pilots — one of whom even cleaned the window outside Carmichael’s seat before taking off — he took about 1,200 photos that formed an iconic photo mosaic documenting the eclipse.

Carmichael, who has also photographed an eclipse from land, said there are pros and cons to being in the air. The experience on the ground is more immersive; there are temperature changes, reactions from wildlife and the view is not obstructed by parts of a plane.

But in the sky, clouds are much less likely to get in the way. And, he said, it’s possible to see the moon’s shadow moving across the earth on the ground — a view unavailable to eclipse watchers for most of human history.

“We’ve only been flying as a human race for a little over 100 years; that’s only the blink of an eye,” he said. “It really gives you a sense of the scale of the universe that we’re part of this huge incredible celestial system where you actually can see the moon’s shadow being cast onto the Earth, moving across the Earth.”

A total solar eclipse passed across the United States on Monday, April 8. See photos and videos from the path of totality and read our reporters’ coverage from scenes across the nation .

Looking ahead: Missed this one? The next eclipse visible in the United States won’t be until 2044 — and then we’ll see another shortly after in 2045. If you did watch this eclipse but without proper eyewear, here’s what to do if your eyes hurt .

The science: This eclipse appeared especially dramatic because the sun was at its most active period in two decades. In the past, solar eclipses have helped scientists learn more about the universe . Here’s everything else to know about the solar eclipse.

Watch CBS News

Flying with pets? Here's what to know.

By Anne Marie Lee

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: April 6, 2024 / 10:08 AM EDT / CBS News

Thinking of taking your dog or cat with you the next time you fly? For a growing percentage of the 90.5 million pet owners in the U.S., the answer is yes. But while the notion of boarding a plane with your pet may seem simple, the rules and restrictions around traveling with an animal can be confusing. 

Eight major U.S. airlines allow pets to fly in-cabin as carry-ons. But flying with your pet takes research and planning, as pet policies vary from airline to airline, are steeped in restrictions, and are limited to specific countries and cities. You'll also have to pay an extra fee for your pet ranging from $95 to $200, depending on the airline and where you're flying. And restrictions often change.

For example, American Airlines  recently revised its policies  so passengers flying with pets may also bring one full-size carry-on or personal item. But the carrier prohibits carry-on pets on transatlantic and transpacific flights. Here's what you need to know when considering taking your fur baby with you on a plane.

Cargo, check-in or carry-on?

Most airlines offer three options for transporting animals: cargo, check-in or carry-on. But if your pet is larger than a bread box, your options are limited to the cargo or baggage check-in options, with very few exceptions. 

Given that large canine breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are among the most popular dogs in the country, the size restriction for in-cabin pet travel can be a major frustration for those who would rather not fly at all if that means putting their pet in cargo. 

A 2023 Forbes Adviser survey of 10,000 U.S. dog owners found that 33% of respondents fly with their pets, while 37% listed not being able to bring their dog on a plane as their biggest annoyance. (You can learn more about the differences between cargo, check-in and carry-on options  here , including warnings about the  dangers  involved when pets travel in the cargo hold.) 

Carry-on pets

Even for pet owners whose animals are small enough to fly as a carry-on, traveling is no breeze.

"When I fly with him I have to go to the desk," Margaret Rauch, 44, told CBS MoneyWatch, referring to her 15-pound poodle mix, Soda. The New York City resident has taken Soda on dozens of flights to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Soda, now 4, was being fostered by a friend after being found as a stray puppy in 2021. 

In addition to calling the airline in advance to register her dog for a flight, Rauch has to check in at the counter whenever she's traveling with Soda, so the airline agent can confirm her dog and pet carrier conform to the in-cabin pet requirements and that the flight hasn't already met its pet maximum. 

Rauch, who said she would never consider putting Soda in cargo, applauded American Airlines' new policy, while noting that in her experience the one carry-on rule was rarely enforced. 

"I feel the price is already high for what I get. Even with AA's rule change, I lose the underseat space," she said. "My dog creates no extra work for anyone."

Despite the added preparation, paperwork and hassle involved in flying with Soda — not to mention the unfriendly looks she occasionally detects from fellow passengers at the sight of her pet carrier — Rauch said, "It's absolutely worth it." 

Asked how the experience could be improved, she pointed to early boarding for pet owners as something that would help.

"If you can get in early, get a seat and settle down, that is an accommodation I don't expect to see anytime soon but I think it makes sense," Rauch said.

Safety and comfort

For the many Americans who see their pets practically as family members, one of the most challenging aspects of flying is ensuring their animal's comfort and safety. 

"The increasing humanization of pets, which involves treating them as part of the family rather than as mere animals, has increased the demand for pet travel services that are of high quality and can be customized to meet the specific needs of each pet," LinkedIn reported in December.

Among other tips, the U.S. Department of Transportation  and animal experts recommend that you not feed your pet four to six hours before a flight and limit their water intake. Others also suggest keeping bottled water on hand at all times. Additionally, most airlines require certain vaccination and vet certification that your pet is healthy enough to fly. Individual countries also have their own requirements for pets to enter.  

Not surprisingly, some airlines do better than others at handling pets. One of the best-rated carriers for pet travel is Alaska Airlines, which has repeatedly topped rankings, such as NerdWallet's Most pet-friendly airlines of 2024.  In recent years, the airline also has maintained one of the industry's lowest incident ratings, according to Veterinarians.org. United Airlines and Delta are among the airlines with the highest incident rates, according to the pet information website. 

On Rauch's first plane trip with Soda traveling home to New York, a layover in Miami led to the flight sitting on the tarmac for two hours. Calming treats are something that helps keeps her dog relaxed on flights. She also withholds Soda's food and limits his water intake up to five hours before a flight, which is also helpful given that he doesn't like using pet relief areas, which she said generally smell of urine and can be overwhelming for dogs. Flights between New York City and St. Croix are generally under six hours. 

"I'm not sure how I'd handle a flight to Singapore," Rauch said.

Here's a rundown of U.S. airlines' pet travel policies, along with fees and and restrictions:

Alaska Airlines

Pet fee: $100

Pets allowed: Dogs and cats are the only pets allowed in-cabin on international trips and flights to Hawaii. Domesticated rabbits and small household birds are allowed as carry-on on domestic flights.

Destinations: Domestic and international, with additional requirements and documentation required for  pets traveling to Hawaii  or  internationally .

See Alaska's full pet policy here .

American Airlines

Pet fee: $150

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats

Destinations: 

• Within the 48 contiguous U.S.
• The U.S. and Canada*
• Puerto Rico

*Additional special restrictions may apply. See American's full pet policy  here .

Pet fee: $75-$200, depending on destination

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, household birds

Pet friendly destinations: 

• U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
• International destinations with the exception of Australia, U.K., Republic of Ireland and others .

Pets are not permitted on flights to Hawaii. See Delta's full pet policy here .

Frontier Airlines 

Pet fee: $99

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and household birds

Destinations: Domestic flights and international flights to and from the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

See Frontier's full pet policy here .

Pet fee: $125

Destinations: Domestic and international. See exceptions for international flights here .

See JetBlue's full pet policy here .

Southwest Airlines

Pet fee: $125 per pet carrier on the U.S. mainland; $35 per pet carrier between Hawaiian Islands

Destinations: Domestic U.S. flights only. For travel to Puerto Rico, specific requirements may  apply . For Hawaii travel, see rules and regulations here.

See Southwest's full pet policy here .

Spirit Airlines

Pets allowed: Dogs, cats, birds (with the exception of flights to or from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) or rabbits (with the exception of flights to or from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Destinations: Domestic flights including Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

See Spirit's full pet policy here .

United Airlines

Destinations: Domestic and international flights with a list of exceptions. United does not allow pets to fly to, from or through certain states and countries. View the list here .

See United's full pet policy here .

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Travel could be a good deal this summer. Here's when plane ticket prices will peak.

Spring is springing, and according to Hopper, it’s time to start thinking about your summer vacation plans.

New data from the online booking site shows some favorable trends for travelers in the next few months, including slightly lower airfares compared with 2023 and hotel and car rental prices that are more or less flat year-over-year.

Here’s what you need to know as you prepare to book, whether you’re looking for a domestic getaway or go on an overseas adventure. It’s also not too late to take advantage of deals on some last-minute trips.

How much are spring and summer plane tickets?

According to Hopper, the best deals right now are on domestic airline tickets. Round-trip flights within the U.S. are averaging $290 in April, but prices are expected to rise in the months ahead.

Hopper’s data shows prices for domestic flights will peak between May and June at $315 on average, then will gradually fall through the summer, reaching a low of $264 on average in September.

On a call with investors discussing first-quarter earnings Wednesday, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said summer travel demand has been pushed forward in recent years in part because schools, especially in the South, are finishing their summer breaks earlier in the year.

Is airport Wi-Fi safe to use? How to keep your information safe while traveling.

Short vs. long cruises: Which one is right for you? Here's how they compare.

This summer also will be a good time to travel internationally; Hopper data shows fares to most destinations abroad are down compared with last year. 

“Airfare to international destinations continues to improve following two years of bloated prices due to quickly recovering demand, high fuel prices and supply constraints. Airfare to most major regions of the world has dropped compared to last year with the exception of trips to Canada,” Hayley Berg, Hopper’s chief economist, said in the report. “International fares remain higher than pre-pandemic levels to most regions, as higher fuel prices persist and airlines continue to rebuild capacity to many regions.”

How much will a hotel room for the spring and summer cost?

Hotel prices remain mostly flat compared with the same time last year. Rooms in the U.S. are averaging $206 a night; better deals are available in some trending international destinations like Osaka, Japan, and Istanbul, Turkey.

According to Hopper, Las Vegas, New York and Chicago remain popular destinations in the U.S.

Will car rental prices rise this summer?

Car rental prices also haven’t increased much since last year and average $42 a day, according to Hopper.

The report shows most travelers rent a car for about four days, and warm-weather destinations like Orlando and Los Angeles remain popular pickup points.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].