HOT PROFILE THIS MONTH - MARCH 2005

This month we chat to Allison Lozell from 'Sea Horse Sea Freight' about their horse transport business, and find out what is involved and just how easy it is to import/export your horses with them!

SHNZ: How did your business Sea Horse Sea Freight come about?
Allison from SeaHorseSeaFreight: John and I have both been around horses all of our lives, John used to play polo and I used to event and we both hunt regularly in the winter. I had always wanted to run my own business from home but hadn’t found anything that really interested me enough to give up my job. I wanted a business that a) we could run from home and b) was involved in the horse industry.
After making a few enquires and talking to different people we discovered that there was a demand for a quality and affordable alternative to air freighting horses. So Sea Horse Sea Freight was formed and has grown from a single shipping container doing one trans-tasman shipment per month to five containers going as far as Tahiti, New Caledonia and Taiwan.

Horses travel safely and comfortably in the Sea Horse Sea Freight container.

SHNZ: What does the sea freight process involve?
Allison: The horses are transported in shipping containers that have been converted inside to accommodate 6 horses. Each horse has its own stall that has a solid partition that extends right down to the floor, the floors are covered in non-slip rubber and the horse stands looking out over a stable door. The horses are stowed on deck in the fresh air but are enclosed with other containers so that they are protected from the weather. A Trans-Tasman sailing take 3 – 4 days and during this time the horses remain in their stalls which is just like being in a stable. During longer trips such as to Taiwan which takes 12 days, the horses are taken out daily and walked in an enclosed exercise area on the deck which we cover with old carpet to prevent them from slipping while being exercised.

SHNZ: What do I have to do as the horse owner? (eg regarding land transport, quarintine, agistment etc)
Allison: Just make the booking and leave the rest to us, it’s that easy!

Loading and unloading horses in the specially made sea freight container.

SHNZ: I havent ever travelled my horse like this before... will he be in good hands?!
Allison: Of course, we only employ professional traveling grooms who are all experienced horse people themselves. They are all extremely competent and are equipped with everything necessary to deal with any situation that may arise.

SHNZ: How does sea freighting horses compare to air freight?
Allison: Sea freight to Australia costs NZD $2500 per horse, which is about half the price of air freight.

Horse being washed down on deck during travel to Taiwan

SHNZ: Will I be kept informed of where my horse is at?
Allison: Definitely, we try to keep all clients as updated as we can. When possible we take photos of the horses being loaded or unloaded and e-mail them to the owners so that they can see for themselves how relaxed their horses are.

SHNZ: What can be expected as far as my horses health/fitness after a sea journey?
Allison: All horses are different but on the whole most seem as if they don’t even know that they’ve left home. We recently sent a shipment to Sydney, two of the horses raced 12 days after arriving and below is an e-mail received from the owner of another horse on the same shipment.

“Hi Allison, Stoli arrived in great shape and with all her gear. I am so happy with your services. I feel she was fabulously looked after and arrived in such good condition. She has recovered well and I would be happy to work her after only a day or two of rest despite my dad (who is a vet) being certain that she would need a weeks rest before being worked!! Once again thank you very much, I was recommended your services and now I know why." Regards, Kerensa

There are lots more letters like this on our the Customer Feedback page of our website.

How can people contact you if they wish to know more?
Allison: We are located in Tuakau, South Auckland, and can be contacted via the following phone numbers and email, there is also lots of further information on our website.
Phone: 09 2328-627
Fax: 09 2328-626
Mobile: 021 652-800 (John)
Mobile: 021 652 811 (Allison)
Email: Info@SeaHorseSeaFreight.com
Website: www.SeaHorseSeaFreight.com

Thanks Allison!

----------------------

Click here to close this window and return to SportHorsesNewZealand.com website