How to Haul a Prize Bull to Oklahoma

Plan ahead if you need to haul your prize bull to Oklahoma. Whether you've just bought him for your farm and you're eager to breed him to your cows, or you've sold him and promised that you would deliver him yourself, you'll want him to arrive safe and healthy. Bucking bulls are professional athletes that get shipped all over the country, just like race horses. Make sure that the shipper you choose is qualified to take care of your prize bull on the road.

Things You'll Need

  • Lead rope
  • Grain
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Hire a professional rodeo bull hauling service to haul your prize bull. Cattle haulers specialize in hauling cattle to the slaughterhouse and are not equipped to transport your professional athlete safely. Bucking bulls ride in trailers with separate compartments for each load in order to prevent fighting and injury in transit. They are also provided with food and water, which regular cattle sometimes aren't.

    • 2

      Have your bull checked out by his veterinarian before he travels. Travel can be stressful for livestock, even under the best conditions, so it is important that your bull is in top shape before you ship him any long distance. The vet will check his stool, update any necessary vaccinations and measure things such as his heartbeat.

    • 3

      Practice loading your bull onto a small trailer on your farm so that your bull understands how to lead on a rope and step up onto a trailer. When the hauler comes to pick up your bull, you will be expected to load the bull onto the trailer yourself. The hauler may be unwilling to help you with your inexperienced bull, because this could make him liable if an accident occurred and the bull was injured. Prize bulls are not loaded with prods and chutes. If the bull is afraid of the trailer, tempt him with a bucket of grain.

    • 4

      Interview your driver, and inspect his trailer and truck. The trailer needs gates to separate the animals from one another to prevent fighting, injury and the spread of disease. The trailer must be clean, with fresh bedding and rubber mats for the bull to stand on. Food and water also should be available. Some professional bucking bull haulers have video cameras installed in the trailers so they can monitor the bulls on computers in their trucks. Ask your driver how often he stops, how many hours per day he plans to drive and how much experience he has hauling prize bulls.

    • 5

      Prepare the documents your bull is required to travel to Oklahoma with. To get into Oklahoma, your bull will need his brand inspection certificate, his pasture permit, his health certificate and a transportation permit. If you own a bull, you already have all of these documents except for the transportation permit. To get this permit, you need to print the form from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (see Resources); fill it out; then sign it yourself in front of a notary.

    • 6

      Ask your professional hauler what other forms and documents are necessary, if any, for your bull to travel across any other state lines he may cross on his journey to Oklahoma.