Importing: Preparing for arrival?

[DKL]

For folks that have imported from Europe to USA what can I do to prepare for the arrival? The logistics of travel and CEM quarantine are sorted thus I am looking for any helpful info on what I could/should have in stock to prep for any kind of emergency and/or routine care? Are there any known type of 'creature' comforts to have on hand for a horse that is weary from air-travel? Thank you in advance.

[Cloverbarley]

I've imported from Europe and to be honest there is nothing special you need to have or do. The main thing is to understand that the horse will be tired. Flying does take it out of them and although they get rested at the quarantine station, they are generally trucked a lengthy trip after the quarantine, so you really just have to prepare for them to be not on top form for a while. My mare took a good month to totally recover from her flight. I gave her this time to settle before doing anything with her.

[dwblover]

I agree, time is the best thing to give them. I used to work for a barn that imported horses frequently and they would let them rest for about three weeks. I would be tempted to give some Ulcergard as well.

[Lieslot]

Well, one thing I do wish to bring up is vaccinations.

When I brought my guys over, who their entire life had had nothing else but Flu & Tet vaccines and that was ALL (no need for more in Europe), and I started the recommended vaccine schedule for the North East, OMG the trouble started...... cellulitis, lymphangitis, legs stocked up beyond proportion etc. for months........!

My boys came here in May, so immediately they got, EEE, WNV, Botulism, Rabies, Rhino, Potomac and somehow Flu & Tet repeated (due to the combo vaccines) eventhough they were up to date on those 2. All this was administered within a few weeks, and boostered 3 weeks later and boostered again 3 weeks later.

That entire summer my horses just did not do well at all, and in my opinion that was due to sudden overload & repeated boostering of vaccinations they'd never had in the past.

As you are importing later in the summer season, you are still needing to think of EEE & WNV, but maybe you can take a risk on botulism & rabies for example and vaccinate & re-booster these later in the year.

I know I would NEVER do this entire load of vaccines upon arrival anymore. It did not do my horses any good.

Congrats on the new horse!!!!

[Carol O]

I used Global Horse Transport, so all of the logistics were arranged regarding shots, quarantine, etc. The horses are very tired on arrival. I remember looking at my boy for the first time and thinking he had cataracts. No cataracts... his eyes were literally cloudy for fatigue. The next day he was bright eyed. Wait a few days to ride to let him rest.

How exciting for you!!!!! Enjoy your new horse!!!

[yellowbritches]

For horses from Europe, I would just recommend you treat them like any other horse who has been a longish trailer ride. Air travel is actually usually a lot easier on them. Make them comfy, keep an eye on them for any signs of colic or other distress, but otherwise treat them like a horse. You can give them a week or two's worth of Ulcerguard to combat any risk of travel induced ulcers, if you like.

Even for the horse we imported from NZ a couple of years ago (12 hour plane ride to LA, plus quarantine, plus a 5 day cross country van ride to VA), that was still all I did. Our vet did come and give him a once over, and we watched very closely for colic, as it did take a couple of days for his digestive tract to get back to normal, but otherwise, we just made him comfy (and kept him warm. He came from NZ summer to VA winter!).

[Kareen]

Definitely try to withhold from giving them any shots until a few weeks after landing as their immune system will be extremely compromised after such a long trip. When introducing new shots to them I would recommend doing only one, max. two at a time. Also bear in mind they have gone through a great deal of stress so watch closely for anything stress related e.g. gastric ulcers/gastritis, any signs of dehydration (you can give oral electrolytes to encourage drinking upon arrival) or bacterial infection.
In my experience the ideal age for transatlantic travel is when they are a year to two years old. At that age their immune system is fairly mature yet it hasn't had too much time yet to get used to their environment so adjusting to new climate, timezone and diet generally works quicker than in older horses.
When they are very young you often deal with bacterial or viral infection upon arrival simply because they haven't had a chance to build up their immune barriers which really need to be at peak when switching environments so drastically.
Mentally you want to bear in mind the horse has not received his or her normal amount of exercise for days. It's true they seem to take flying easier than to travel the same distance by trailer, but then flying in itself has its particularities e.g. the fact that after trailering into the airport which most horses may be used to or at least it is a situation they have experienced before, being tucked into a tiny container much smaller than a US standard trailer with two other mostly unfamiliar others, then shifted back and forth onto the starting field, lifted into the freight department, not seeing any natural light if the doors are shut with noises you have never heard before etc.etc.
We are so used to travelling far we often forget it puts a lot of stress onto our equines to be put on a plane and then after landing, there is another trailerride and then quarantine which is far from being a cosy, quiet place to relax followed by another trailerride to the final destination it just ads up.
Proper rehydration, stress prevention and close monitoring upon arrival. Try to use the time to bond. Much like right after weaning the horse will be possibly gratefully grab a new friend so if you handhold it patiently after importation, a lot of relationship can form rather quickly.

[DKL]

Great advice all around. This guy is a 3 year old and not broken yet and just fresh in from the grassy Irish fields where he has spent his whole life. I feel our timing is pretty good as the flies are dying off and we have no plans to train/ride him for ages. Will not attempt to vaccinate for a while and I always break up all my shots for a rule anyway. Can't wait! Thanks again.:)