1. If a mare has a suckling foal at side they can both go on one Health Certificate as long as all the foals details are on there as well.
2. Only the mare needs a Coggins if she also has a foal at side.
3. If a mare is staying in the US to be bred before coming to Canada, you can get her AHA papers transfered to your name before transfering to CAHR and when her next years foal is born you are the breeder.
4. Always have a back up plan. The first shipper I had booked to bring the mare and foal back to Canada had to cancel and I was rushing to find another shipper as my health papers were running out.
5. Always be courteous to people taking care of your horses, they aren't miracle makers and sometimes things just don't work out the way we wish they would.
6. Go by your gut You are entrusting your new purchases to strangers. Have a couple conversations with the people you are dealing with. I like a lot of emails/messages even with just little updates.
7. Do your research. I emailed so many shippers from many states and provinces to see if they had anything that would fit into my schedle. Luckily for both trips (OK to IN and IN to Ontario) I was able to be the trip back for the shipper which means I got a better deal.

Cheers,
Richelle