To prepare your horse firstly you will have to try and quarantine him for 2 weeks prior to departure. This means no last minute shows, try and paddock and stable him away from other horses...DONT let him touch noses with any other horse. Other horse owners may say " Well, my horse hasn't got anything", it's really not worth the chance. If your horse is found to have the sniffles on his health check two days before traveling, he will NOT be able to travel.
Your vet will be called by the transport company to arrange with you when he can come and do four sets of blood tests and if you have a stallion or mare swabs will be taken too. These tests will be sent to a certified laboratory and tested for all sorts of diseases, most of them aren't in the UK and most of the time the tests come back clear.
One week before departure it's best to feed up your horse, a bit of extra weight will do him good as some horses may stress a little whilst traveling which will cause weight loss. Whilst making your feeds add electrolytes for one week at the dosage recommended on the tub. Then two days before departure double the electrolytes as you want your horses hydrated, not dehydrated. Try and monitor the amount of water he drinks and if he doesn't drink enough call your vet and discuss it with him. Two days before departure your vet will arrange for a health check to be done on your horse, this is so he can sign a health certificate that will travel with your horse.
On the day of travel your horse will have to be bathed and totally clean. Try not to be tempted to put on travel boots, rug and a tail bandage on your horse. You probably WONT get them back as it is policy to incinerate anything that has been on your horses back when he arrives at his destination.
Once he arrives at his destination they will be checked USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) vets and they will have their temperature taken and maybe some more bloods. Geldings usually go into quarantine for 3 days and mares will have 21-28 days, hopefully within the state they will be going to. Once all blood tests and swabs come back clear and the quarantine is finished they are given the all clear to go and will be released to the United States shipping company for the last leg of their journey.
A Stallions quarantine is a lot harder. Make sure the export agency explains what happens to your stallion whilst he is being quarantined. In The United States a stallion is required to cover two mares so a CEM swab and tests can be carried out. This can only be done within the 35-45 days ( 6 weeks ), they will not be released any sooner. If your stallion is young and hasn't covered a mare before, dont worry, they will have professional, experienced handlers and vets attending the coverings. The mares will be tested straight away on the sperm that is present and then a week-16 days later. You are usually welcome to visit your stallion in that 6 week period and some quarantine's have facilities to exercise and bath your horse etc, the staff make you very welcome. Make sure you let the quarantine staff know of any special requirements and medications that your horse will need. Also, let them know if he is a biter or if he is head shy etc, this will help them make his stay more comfortable. After all tests have been done and the results are back the quarantine will then advise you and they will release him to either you or the transport company who will deliver him to you. Within hours he will be arriving to his new home.
It is a very stressful experience, not for the horse but for the horse owners. I have now been through it with five horses and trust me it doesn't get any easier. All I can say is that the horse usually doesn't stress at all and all of the flight attendants are medically trained and will take good care of your horse. I have recommended a company for people to use and to get a quote from. We have never had any trouble with any of our horses...so GOOD LUCK !