Seamless Export: The Art of Preparing Horses for International Travel
Staff
Exporting horses is a complex operation that requires planning, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of both animal welfare and international regulatory standards. Facilities like The ARK are at the forefront of this industry, providing an exemplary model of how horses should be prepared and cared for ahead of their long journeys abroad.
Stall Preparation: The First Step
The preparation for exporting horses begins well before they even arrive at the facility. At least one day prior to intake, reservations are reviewed, and stalls are assigned, ensuring each horse has a designated space that meets its specific needs. The ARK works closely with the USDA to schedule inspections and coordinate the timing for each horse’s loadout, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance from the outset.
Horses within a lot are kept together to minimize stress, with a careful arrangement that allows for a minimum of two empty stalls between lots, enhancing biosecurity measures. This thoughtful layout also includes provisions for any horse that may arrive in a compromised state, ensuring they have immediate access to a stall near the landside end of the aisle for easy treatment and observation.
Ensuring Cleanliness and Comfort
Each stall undergoes an inspection to confirm it has been cleaned and disinfected according to strict protocols. The bedding provided is carefully measured to ensure adequate coverage and comfort for the horses during their stay, typically around four hours. Water buckets are sanitized and filled with fresh water, and each horse is provided with hay, tailored to any specific dietary restrictions they might have.
The Intake Process: Safety and Security
The export intake process is designed with the utmost consideration for the safety and security of the horses. Landside safety gates are checked to ensure they are closed before any horse is unloaded, a practice that remains in place until all horses are securely situated in their stalls. The ARK personnel receive the horses from transport grooms, adhering to a strict policy that ensures staff do not enter the transport trailers, minimizing the risk of stress or injury to the horses.
Each horse is led to its designated stall, where its condition is evaluated by USDA inspectors as part of the health inspection process. This careful scrutiny ensures that any horse deemed unfit for travel due to illness or injury is immediately identified, and the necessary stakeholders are notified.
Continuous Monitoring and Care
Throughout their stay, horses are continuously monitored, with ARK staff conducting regular checks to ensure they are resting comfortably and displaying no signs of discomfort or distress. The presence of a USDA agent is required before any horse is loaded into a jet stall, a crucial step that underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in the export process.
When it’s time for the horses to be loaded for their flight, the jet stalls, already inspected and prepared with necessary supplies like water, hay, and feed, are carefully weighed. This final step ensures that all is in order before the horses embark on their journey, marking the culmination of a thorough and compassionate process that prioritizes their well-being every step of the way.
