What’s it Like Being a Horse Transport Truck Driver?
This previous Might, 16 million folks tuned in to observe one of many largest upsets in Kentucky Derby historical past. Wealthy Strike, a horse who the day earlier than, wasn’t even slated to race, did the unthinkable and received the 148th annual Kentucky Derby in a miraculous come from behind victory. Moments like these are what make horse racing such an unpredictable and thrilling sport.
Whereas we solely see the tip product on the observe, there are numerous folks working behind the scenes to make these races attainable, together with the individuals who transport the horses from place to position. They’re referred to as horse transport truck drivers, and so they’re the engine that makes the horse racing trade go.
What’s a Horse Transport Truck Driver?
A horse transport truck driver is a driver who transports horses from place to position. This could possibly be from coaching facility, to racetrack, farm, or wherever else they should go. These positions are sometimes both Regional or OTR because of the quantity of distance between these locations.
How do you Change into a Horse Transport Truck Driver?
You’ll in fact have to have your CDL A earlier than changing into a horse transport truck driver. Other than that, you’ll additionally have to discover ways to load, unload, and deal with the challenges of transporting massive animals like horses. Fortunately, most carriers focusing on this work will prepare you on that.
What’s Being a Horse Transport Truck Driver Like?
We have been in a position to discuss with Invoice, a CDL A Driver with Drive My Means shopper, Sallee Horse Vans. Invoice talked to us about what it’s prefer to be a horse transport truck driver and why he enjoys it.
How lengthy have you ever been a driver with Sallee?
“I’ve labored as a horse transport driver with Sallee for five years.”
What does your common day seem like?
“I begin by checking in with dispatch, getting the trailer prepared (bedding down) for the variety of horses we’re planning to load. Then I drive to the farm, racetrack, or coaching facility. Subsequent, we load the horses and begin the journey to our last vacation spot.”
What made you select working with Sallee over different OTR jobs?
“I like working as a horse transport driver as a result of it’s one thing totally different aside from bumping a dock.”
What’s one factor a driver who’s enthusiastic about working in transporting horses ought to know?
“There’s by no means a boring day on this job. The horses will problem you day by day, and also you’ll at all times be studying one thing new concerning the job, the horses, and your self.”
What do you get pleasure from probably the most about working with Sallee?
“I actually benefit from the folks I work with at Sallee. It’s like one large household.”
Similar to with any OTR place, horse transport drivers will must be comfy spending prolonged time on the street. It’s common for drivers to be out on the street for over three weeks at a time, particularly throughout peak racing season.
Additionally, be ready for lots of east coast driving. Because the majority of horse racing takes place within the jap half of the nation, that’s the place horse transport truckers do nearly all of their driving.
How A lot Do Horse Transport Truck Drivers Make?
Since horse transporting is a specialization within the trucking trade, these drivers are inclined to make greater than your conventional OTR driver. The precise numbers depend upon which firm you drive for however can attain greater than $100,000 yearly.
Why do horse transport drivers receives a commission a lot? There are actually thousands and thousands of {dollars} on the road after they get behind the wheel. This isn’t cattle or sheep you’ll be hauling. They’re thoroughbred race horses.
That is additionally why horse transporting is normally a crew driver job. Because the cargo is so helpful, it’s seen as a worthy funding to have an additional driver within the cab in case one thing goes mistaken on the street or there’s a difficulty with one of many horses.
One more reason these jobs are performed in groups is to beat tight deadlines. The FMCSA states that one truck driver can driver for a most of 11 hours earlier than needing a ten-hour break. Driving in groups signifies that whereas one driver sleeps and will get their 10 hours in, the opposite can drive their 11. Other than stopping for fuel and different requirements, crew drivers (in concept) by no means have to cease.
Horse transport jobs pay properly, and there’s purpose for that. It’s for drivers who get pleasure from working with animals and love being out on the street extra usually than they’re at residence. Should you test each of these containers, you then may need a future as a horse transport driver.
