horsejitney llc a Maryland horse transport company providing horse transportation to east coast horse shows.

East coast horse transport

The Horse Jitney llc generally transports horses traveling on the east coast, but we will travel anywhere east of the Mississippi. Horses travel comfortably in either stall and a half straight stalls or box stalls. We have several box stall configurations which accommodate even the largest of horses and mares with foals. Between trips the trucks and trailers are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, examined for wear and tear, and mechanically serviced.

Our drivers are experienced horse people who have had extensive experience driving big rigs, loading horses, and providng excellent care during the journey.

Request a quote info@horsejitney.com or just give us a call at 301-526-8273

How we drive

We believe safety of the horses and humans comes first and foremost, though we do try to stay on schedule. What this means to you is that if we miss a turn, we DO NOT slam on the brakes to miss the turn, but find the nearest safe place to turn the rig around. We drive at a safe speed, moving with the flow of traffic on highways, depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions.

When traveling off the highway, we typically travel below the speed limit - sometimes signficantly below depending on the width of the road, height of the road crown, windy turns, and weather conditions. We ask that you tell us about any one lane bridges, low overpasses, one lane roads, steep hills, or tight turns ahead of time. When planning our route, you can help us get to you safely by identifying any obstacles that might cause and 18 wheeler tractor trailer to have trouble... we are affected by many of the same conditions.

Trailer configuration

Our trailers

Your horse rides in one of our two custom-built trailers that were especially designed for very large and very small horses! Each trailer has box stall options that prevent foals, ponies, or minis from leaving their box stall.

A brand new 2008 Hawk has an interior height of 7'8", and is a four-horse head-to-head trailer, and serves as our primary long distance and show shuttle trailer. We can take up to five horses, or four horses and two ponies, in this forty foot trailer. Horses ride in either stall and a half straight stalls or large, roomy box stalls. The stalls are well lit, heavily padded, very safe, and inviting for even the most skittish horse. Hay nets or hay bags are supplied.

When we can't turn the big trailer around, or there's no reason to use it, we use an extra large Kingston 2-horse gooseneck that also offers a fully enclosed box stall for minis and foals, or two straight stalls. This is a terrific option for smaller farms, moving a couple of horses locally, and anytime you want private hauling for one horse in a box stall.

Horses travel in either a stall and a half or box stall configuration in either trailer. The stall and a half configuration is roomy for large horses, including the very large Friesian Stallion Wally P pictured with driver Dave Benze. The trailer offers a standard box stall and extra large box stall option for very large horses, youngsters, and mares with foals. Box stalls are also used for miniatures.

Head dividers are available between the stalls for horses that don't know eachother, but are taken down for horses who are from the same family or trainer and who like eachother. Of course we use them for stallions traveling next to another stallion or gelding. We do not put mares on the rig with stallions unless contracted by one owner to do so, or with the permission of the other traveling passengers.

Travel options

We prefer to work on-demand for one owner at a time, making the trip less stressful for horses and owners by reducing time on the trailer which is a little more expensive, but definitely worth it for performance horses or sensitive horses. When we do consolidate loads, we make every effort to be considerate to the first horse we picked up, and attempt to limit the excess travel time by taking clients only slightly off our origination point.

For longer trips, or trips with some urgency, we send two drivers, though we prefer to rest the horses on the trailer, rather than haul them over a 24 hour period, which we feel, even with scheduled stops, is an awful lot of vibration on those legs.

Request a quote info@horsejitney.com

Rates and Fees

Long distance rates

Rates depend on several factors, the first being the price of Diesel, but also the loaded miles, unloaded travel time to pickup locations, number of horses on the rig, number of drivers, tolls, and travel conditions such as mountains or heavy traffic. We quote fair and reasonable prices for the services we offer, taking into account our overhead for maintaining safe trailers, and actually paying the driver a salary.

We will call you when we are within thirty minutes of your pickup location, provided cell service is available, and request you have your horse (and any equipment traveling) ready to load. We allow up to two hours of actual loading time with no additional fees.

While we are happy to wait for you to pay your board bill, hose or brush your horse, bring him in from the field, pack his "carry on", bring the horse from another barn, or any other non-loading induced pauses in loading, there will be a $50 fee per hour assessed should we need to wait more than 10 minutes.

Like all quality, commercial haulers, we typically charge between .90 and $1.40 per mile per straight stall (horse) for consolidated loads, which means we may stop along the way to pickup or drop off another horse. Door to door service and private service is available.

Long distance options

Direct shipments are the most popular option for long distance travel. This means your horse may be riding along with another horse, but there are no stops to drop off or pick up horses along the route, significantly decreasing travel time for your horse. Horses travel in stall and a half spaces, but can be upgraded to box stalls.

Private shipments are available, which means only your horses will be on the trailer. You may choose box or straight stalls at no additional fee.

Box stalls are required for mares with foals, miniatures, and any horse that cannot fit comfortably in a stall and a half.

Sometimes we offer "fill rates" which are bargain-basement rates, for horses traveling on a flexible schedule. We offer fill rates when our alternative is to dead-head, or a consolidated load has space available. When price is a concern, check with us before you book your next transport to see if we are going your way!

We are USDOT and FMCSA licensed and carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance. Our USDOT number is 1721853 and our Motor Carrier number is 634408.

We strongly encouarge you to check us out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations website at www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov .

Horses are treated like they are our own, which means we stop at least every three hours to relieve the stress on their legs, offer water, and check over their general demeanor. Of course this makes the trip a little longer, but we believe the benefit to the horses is well worth it. With the owner's approval, carrots and treats are offered as well. Any change in behavior, attitude, or body condition is noted and a call placed to the owner.

Want to show, but need a ride? We offer horse show transport to horse shows in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia with our horse show shuttle service.

Learn more about horse show tranpsortation.

Request a quote for your horse's next journey: info@horsejitney.com

As a Maryland based horse transportation company, we have the pleasure of transporting horses of all shapes and sizes, from the smallest mini to the largest draft, and from all sorts of disciplines from racing to pleasure trail riding, which makes it really fun for us!

How we work

Our trailers are cleaned and disinfected routinely, inside and out, and our trucks are serviced regularly. We are USDOT compliant and our USDOT number is 1721853 and our Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration number is 634408.

While we are a new company, we are not new to horse hauling, with the company's owner having twenty years of experience. As of January 2008 we are changing our status from an exempt carrier to a non-exempt carrier which means we will soon be able to transport race horses to the racetracks!

Questions? Call us at 301-526-8273 or email us at: info@horsejitney.com

Requirements for travel

Your must provide us with a copy of a current negative coggins AND, if shipping over state lines, a copy of a current health certificate dated within 30 days of travel. The name on the contract must match the name on the coggins and health certificate!!!

It is your responsibility to have accurate paperwork or else we will not transport your horse and you WILL be responsible for the full fare

As a commercial horse transport company, we abide by the transport laws created by the department of agriculture - it is for the safety and benefit of all those who ship with us.

Payment policies

Prior to the trip, we ask owners to review our contract, return a signed copy, and include a refundable 30% deposit. Deposits are refundable up until 72 hours prior to the scheduled pickup time, as we often travel the day ahead to reach the pickup location fresh and ready to transport your precious cargo.

Payment in full required before loading your horse! We accept:

Cash at the pickup location

Certified check before pickup or at the pickup location

Personal or business checks if received 5 business days prior to pickup time