So having noticed a thread a few months old again come to the top of the pile, I decided to start this thread and see where I goes.
Anyone who does, or has, hauled livestock… Please join the conversation with stories, advise, qualifications, regulations, or anything else specific to hauling livestock. Those who havent been in this segment of the industry are welcome to comment and ask questions. But, please, let’s not piss off or belittle each other.
I no longer haul livestock, but have in the past. I really enjoyed it and would go back to it if I could find the right outfit. As many have said before, it takes a whole different skill set to haul livestock… You have to know how to load your own trailer, which may at times mean being able to guesstimate the weight of animals by sight.
You also must know how to handle livestock… How they will react to your posture and movements. But more importantly how to recognize a dangerous animal, and then how to avoid getting hurt, or hurting the animal.
All livestock is not created equal… Pigs require vastly different care during transport than cattle. One must consider the time of year and weather to decide what time of day may be best to make the haul… If it is 100° you may need to run all through the night, or make plans with facilities to off load the livestock so they can be watered. If there is a major weather event that suddenly shuts down the roads its not as simple as just parking the truck and waiting, you may need to find facilities where the livestock can be off loaded for multiple days.
Livestock is the only frieght I know of that can, and does, actively decide it wants to kill you. I have been mucked out in a bullrack more than once… And I can tell you it aint fun. You get kicked in the head and see stars, then you shake it off and boogie down the road. I once completed a run with 2 broken ribs after one pissed off bovine decided to repeatedly smash me against the wall of my trailer. Have had many other close calls and had to retreat to the dog-house.
Many livestock haulers dont just haul livestock. They may also haul other agricultural products like grains, corn, fertilizer, and many other things depending on time of year amd location.
Well I’ll step out now and let y’all have at it. Please feel free to tag others and invite them to join the conversation.
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