

Cherokee Winds Farm
Why Is Private Shipping Safer
It's no secret that shipping your beloved horse with a total stranger is stressful. Well it's stressful for them too. My goal is to reduce the stress of shipping and also prevent the spread of illnesses. You don't know what illness has been in a barn that another horse is leaving. In my area, there is a barn that's known for having repeat cases of strangles, but a multi horse carrying, out of state shipper doesn't know that. Do you know where the other horses are coming from?
I have had horses delivered to my barn by larger shipping companies with little to no compassion for the horses. They have arrived with cuts and injuries because the haulers dropped off a horse and my boarder's horse freaked out.
I had another boarder's horse dropped off and the drivers could not have been any less personable. I don't expect to make a new friend but a thank you for your business wouldn't hurt. They handed over the horse like they were handing me a bag of trash.
I had a reining bred yearling shipped from Texas because it was just so far at the time. That company had no communication skills and I was terrified where my girl was. Also as a yearling, she was supposed to be shipped in a box stall, but was delivered on a strictly slant load trailer. I was livid.
Most recently, I started a rescue and had 2 donkeys shipped from Wisconsin so that they didn't end up at slaughter. Well the company was great! The guys really loved their jobs and the animals. I was very happy with them! Then I got a call that the horse they dropped off before my delivery had a fever of 104 and they were concerned if my donkeys were sick as well (they were fine). I thought to myself, "ya know, that could have been a very expensive vet bill, all to save $200." That's not worth peace of mind and their safety and comfort.
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This is why I offer the private shipping. It's door to door service, very communicative, complete compassion, and reduced stress and risk of sickness.
What You Should Expect
When traveling, I want to always be prepared. In the back of the trailer, there is a camera that is mounted to observe for any signs of distress. For worst case scenario, I carry sedation and banamine. I've been luck enought to not have to use them, but I would rather have and not need, than to need and not have.
We take breaks every 2-3hrs in the safety of a truck stop or a rest area. I do not feel it is safe to travel with open water buckets, so every break, I offer water until they have had their fill. I keep the hay bag full of your choice of hay. Every stop, if it is safe, I clean the manure away from the back of the horse so they don't have to stand in it.
During summer, owners have the option of horses traveling at night to keep them cool. I can drive in the winter weather if needed. It's not always the safest so I try to arrange around it.
Rates
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The flat rate of "local" is $350. Local rate is anything under 280 miles round trip.
My hauls are based on current market prices, rounded up to the next $10, round trip. If your trip requires tolls, that will be added into the bill. I try to find the fee out ahead of time.
If you are wondering why I charge round trip, I am driving both ways, that is fuel and my time and expertise. My job doesn't stop when I'm emtpy!
There is an extra fee for pickups before 10AM of $50.