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.
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We’ve had the pleasure of transporting racehorses, show horses, and family pet horses.
We’re excited to help you ship your horse!
Imports
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:
Exports
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.
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+ 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.
To learn more about the export process and requirements, read or download our fact sheet:
Domestic
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.
