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Global Insight Network

How much does it cost to ship a horse across the US?

Author

Matthew Alvarez

Updated on May 17, 2026

The cost of horse transport depends on the distance and any specific needs your horse has. On average, it costs $2.55 per mile for horse transport less than 100 miles but costs $1.10 per mile for horse transport less than 1,000 miles.

Also, how much is it to ship a horse?

On average, however, hiring a professional equine transport company will cost between $0.75/mile and $3/mile. International transport by air for your horse will cost somewhere between $2,000 and $10,000 for a one-way flight. As you can see, there are significant costs associated with transporting a horse.

Secondly, how do you transport a horse long distance? Here are 13 travel tips to get him from point A to point B safely and stress-free.

  1. Make sure your horse is healthyand carry proof of it.
  2. Consider a box stall for your horse.
  3. Avoid dusty bedding.
  4. Be prepared for an emergency.
  5. Weigh your horse.
  6. Plan your route.
  7. Consider standing wraps.
  8. Make regular rest stops.

Moreover, how much does it cost to fly a horse across the US?

The price can range from $3,000 to $10,000.

Does FedEx ship horses?

FedEx Charters specializes in general cargo; hard-to-move cargo; and animals, including zoo animals, horses and cattle. Individualized security options and temperature-sensitive cargo environments are also available. For more information or to request a quote, email chartersales@fedex.com, or call 1.800.

Related Question Answers

What does it cost to have a horse trailered?

The cost of horse transport depends on the distance and any specific needs your horse has. On average, it costs $2.55 per mile for horse transport less than 100 miles but costs $1.10 per mile for horse transport less than 1,000 miles.

How much does it cost to FedEx a horse?

FedEx charges by the pound for its equestrian passengers. The horses weigh around 1100 pounds, plus the crates and food. According to FedEx's web site, it costs about $1600.00 to ship 2000 pounds from New Jersey to London, and the FedEx guarantee applies on standard freight.

What is needed to start a horse transport business?

For the Love of the Horse: The Reality of Starting Your Own Equine Transport Business
  1. Define a Region.
  2. Buy Equipment.
  3. Establish Fees.
  4. Introduce Technology.
  5. Advertise Services.
  6. Get Feedback.
  7. Customer Service.
  8. By Dan Kelly.

How long can you trailer a horse?

9 hours

How do horses travel?

While some animals do travel in regular passenger planes this isn't the case for horses, instead they travel in special cargo planes. Horses are usually put into stalls on the ground that can take up to three horses, these stalls have divider walls that can be removed to give the horse more room.

How do you ship a horse overseas?

Two horses go into each stall, which is then loaded on a pallet and onto the pressurized upper deck of a FedEx cargo plane. "They have hay and water and someone stays with them the whole time to make sure they have everything they need," Morris tells MNN.

How much does it cost to import a horse from Mexico?

Bring the horse to the port of entry. At this point, you will present your health certificate form, Mexican permit, passport and pay the quarantine fee. You will be charged $270 per day for your horse with a three day minimum charge of $810. Prices are subject to vary without notice.

How much does it cost to ship a horse to Hawaii?

They can be flown or shipped in from the Mainland, which she estimates can cost between $1,500 and $4,000 per horse.

Can a horse fly on a plane?

Horses cannot travel in the usual planes that you and I would travel in – they have to travel in cargo planes, and not all cargo planes can carry horses – so moving from A to B is not as simple as it is for humans.

Are horses allowed on planes?

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that miniature horses are still officially allowed to fly as service animals in all cabins of commercial planes, in a statement aiming to define the guidelines regarding protections for emotional support and psychiatric service cats, dogs and the tiny equines.

Do they fly race horses?

High net-worth racehorse owners who have spent millions training their esteemed horses for this historic race travel hundreds if not thousands of miles by plane, and they fly in style.

How long should you quarantine a horse?

10 Days

How much do horse haulers make?

You may be quick to argue that out of those 9 million horses only a small percentage are in need or can afford frequent transportation but the reality is that 28% of the 2 million horse owners in the country have an annual income of over $100,000 and 46% of them are in the $50,000 to $75,000 bracket.

How much does it cost to ship a horse across Canada?

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRANSPORT A HORSE in Canada? The cost of transporting your horse depends on your horse itself and the distance it will travel. On average, it costs $1.86 per km for horse transport less than 100 kms, and costs $1.10 per km for horse transport less than 1,000 kms.

What should a horse wear when Travelling?

Travel clothing and protection from injury

A horse should always wear a good leather head collar that fits correctly. Poll guards protect the top of a horse's head from injury, while tail guards and bandages are important to prevent damage and rubbing to the tail.

How far can horses travel in a day?

around 25 to 35 miles

How long can a horse stand?

Horses obtain needed sleep by many short periods of rest. This is to be expected of a prey animal, that needs to be ready on a moment's notice to flee from predators. Horses may spend anywhere from four to fifteen hours a day in standing rest, and from a few minutes to several hours lying down.

Do horse trailers stop at weigh stations?

A privately owned noncommercial horse trailer constructed to transport four or fewer horses shall not be required to stop at any permanent weigh station in the State while transporting horses, unless the driver of the vehicle hauling the trailer is directed to stop by a law enforcement officer.

Should you tie horse in trailer?

Tying your horse in the trailer is supposed to help prevent him from hurting himself, turning around, and/or biting/ disturbing a neighboring horse. A loose horse can seriously injure another that can't defend himself, and can cause a wreck as the injured horse seeks to escape from the attack.

Can you mail a human?

It is illegal to ship a person, so don't even try! That includes shipping yourself, too. Neither the US Postal Service, FedEx, nor UPS allow for “human mail,” and neither do any smaller regional carriers. Although…you can ship someone's organs if they're an organ donor, but that's another story.

Will FedEx Ship animals?

FedEx Express does not accept live-animal shipments as part of its regular-scheduled service and does not transport household pets such as dogs, cats, birds and hamsters. The shipper must have its packaging tested and pre-approved by FedEx Packaging Design and Development for the type of animal being shipped.

Do horses like being ridden?

Every horse is different. It is easy to develop a relationship with some and not so easy with others. Once a relationship built on trust and respect is established, most horses will actually like to be ridden. However, past experiences, pain, and fear can keep a horse from enjoying being ridden.

What is FedEx service?

Get fast, reliable and affordable standard shipping that's backed by a money-back guarantee. You can rely on FedEx Express. Get fast, reliable and affordable standard shipping that's backed by a money-back guarantee.

Can I FedEx a cat?

If you do a lot of shipping as a small business owner, you know that FedEx is critical especially “when it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.” I was surprised to learn that FedEx even ships live animals including reptiles, horses, and zoo animals. Fedex is there for you even when you need to ship a cat!

Can UPS ship live animals?

Live animals will only be accepted for transportation when shipped by any UPS service that guarantees delivery the next day. Shipments must not be offered to UPS on Fridays or before a holiday in the origin or destination country.

Does FedEx use planes?

FedEx Express operates the world's largest cargo air fleet with more than 650 aircraft, and is the largest operator of the Airbus A300, ATR 42, Cessna 208, McDonnell Douglas DC-10/MD-10, and the McDonnell Douglas MD-11.

How were horses transported on sailing ships?

Horse transports could be powered by oars or, sometimes, by sail. The oared tarida was able to be loaded and unloaded directly on a beach, using doors as loading ramps. These had two decks and could carry up to 100 horses. The horses were loaded through openings in the hull, which were then sealed for the voyage.

How much does it cost to import a horse from Spain?

Importing a single horse to Los Angeles from Spain would cost roughly $9,000. That would include all pre-export tests and paperwork, trucking to the airport of departure, groom fees to travel with your horse, air freight to Los Angeles, import clearance and handling plus three days import quarantine.