Not every groom’s day starts on a tarmac at 4 a.m., surrounded by jet stalls and customs paperwork. But for HorseGrooms Community member Tim Sillevis, once a full-time groom and horse trainer, that’s become part of the routine. Tim now works as a professional flight groom, flying horses all over the world — from Europe to Miami, Australia, the Middle East, and beyond. We sat down with him to find out what really happens when horses travel by air, and how grooms can get involved in this unique branch of the equestrian industry.
Tim Sillevis at work checking if the horses and the jet stall are good to go. Photos courtesy of Airborne Equine
The Start of a Flight
On the day of a flight, it begins long before takeoff. In a recent trip from the Netherlands to Miami, Tim accompanied several horses trucked from their stables to Brussels Airport.
“We left around 3 a.m. and were at the airport by 4,” he says. “Once we arrive, I check the paperwork, passports, export documents, and health certificates, and make sure everything is in order. With some companies, there’s a full ground team that takes care of this, but sometimes, it’s all on you.”
Once the horses are loaded into their air stalls, Tim hangs hay nets, secures water buckets, and prepares them for several hours of waiting before the actual flight. “It’s boring for them otherwise,” he explains. “They’re just standing around. I make sure everything they might need is there from the start.”
Loading into the Aircraft
After weighing the stalls for proper load distribution, the horses are transported across the tarmac to the aircraft. There, Tim works with the airline’s loadmaster to position the stalls securely and ensure the horses are calm and comfortable.
He also speaks directly with the captain to set the right temperature on board. “I usually ask for something between 10 and 13 degrees Celsius,” he says. “The horses generate heat, especially when they’re in triples, and cooler temps keep them more comfortable.”
Some flights also include other sensitive cargo, like pharmaceuticals, which require different temperatures. In those cases, the aircraft is divided into separate zones with different climate controls.
Life Onboard
Once the plane is in the air, Tim checks the horses regularly, usually every two hours, but more often if needed.
“If one seems uneasy or shows signs of colic or stress, you keep a closer eye,” he says. “You can’t always fix everything in the air, but early observation can prevent issues later.”
Hay and water are offered frequently, and extra hay nets are stored in front of the stalls. On long-haul flights, Tim sometimes opens the front of the stall to allow the horse to eat from the floor. “It helps reduce the risk of shipping fever. When horses can put their heads down, mucus and dust don’t build up in their lungs as easily.”
Not every flight goes smoothly, though. “I had a good show jumper recently who couldn’t handle the movement inside a triple stall. Even with sedation, he panicked. We had to offload him and reschedule him in a double.”
Horses and people on one of the cargo planes.
Arrivals and Quarantine
After landing, the process of offloading depends heavily on the destination. “In the U.S., horses are taken straight to USDA quarantine,” Tim explains. “You’re allowed to inspect them as soon as you land, before immigration, check their wellbeing, take photos for records, and then they’re handed over to the ground crew.”
Other countries have their own protocols. Australia, for instance, is one of the strictest.
“Horses do a two-week pre-export quarantine in Germany, then go straight from the truck to the air stall. Once we land in Melbourne, we offload them, and then we, the people who traveled with the horses, have to shower at the airport. You walk into a sealed shower room, wait for the green light, and only then are you allowed out, put clean clothes on, and are cleared to leave.”
By contrast, in the Philippines or Thailand, the atmosphere is more relaxed. “One time in Bangkok, we offloaded the horses onto a roundabout and walked them across the grass to waiting trucks. It actually worked great.”
Experience Counts
So what does it take to be a good flight groom?
“You don’t need to be able to braid or clip, but you do need experience,” Tim says. “You need to know what you’re looking at. Are they just a bit nervous, or is this the start of colic? Are they not drinking because of stress, or is something else going on? You have to be able to read the horse.”
He also emphasizes the importance of staying calm and keeping the horses’ wellbeing as the top priority. Some owners request specific treatments, like electrolytes or sedatives, and Tim communicates with the shipping agents to make sure all instructions are followed.
The Job Itself
Tim flies about two times per week, though sometimes more. He regularly travels to the U.S., Mexico, Qatar, and Australia.
“It’s never the same job twice,” he says. “Even when you fly the same route, the horses are always different. I like the long flights more, actually. You get more time with the horses, and they start to recognize you. They know you bring hay and water, and that trust makes a big difference.”
While it’s a demanding lifestyle, it also has its perks. “If you fly somewhere like Australia, sometimes you can stay for a few days before taking your return flight,” Tim adds. “You get paid for the work and might even see a bit of the world while you’re at it.”
Want to Become a Flight Groom?
If you’re curious about this career path, Tim recommends getting in touch with shipping agents.
“See if you can ride along on a flight to get a feel for it,” he suggests. “It’s not for everyone, but it’s a unique part of the industry that definitely needs more experienced horse people.”
Watch the whole process of flying horses around the world in the video below. And if you have any questions for Tim, reach out to him in the HorseGrooms Community.
Dinette Neuteboom is a Dutch-born equestrian, educator and lifelong equestrian journalist whose career spans continents and disciplines. As the founder of HorseGrooms, she combines decades of hands-on experience as a rider, groom, barn manager and trainer with her talent for storytelling to support and spotlight grooms worldwide. Dinette has worked in the Netherlands, Argentina, the U.S., China and New Zealand, and she serves as the press officer for the international horse show Indoor Friesland. Her mission is simple: to keep horsemanship alive. Through HorseGrooms, she creates resources and community spaces that empower grooms, advocate for horse welfare, and strengthen the foundation of the equestrian sport.
