Hitch N Ride livestock transportation is aiming to simplify the way livestock owners and transporters connect by creating a centralized online platform where producers, families, breeders, trainers and independent haulers can find reliable transportation while emphasizing trust, verification and biosecurity.
Founder Fadra Glaser said in a conversation with associate farm reporter Carli Davenport that the idea for Hitch N Ride grew out of a personal experience and a simple question. “The idea really came from a mom’s perspective and one simple question: What if?“
Glaser explained that while her daughter was traveling across the country with a cutting horse trainer, she began thinking about the unexpected challenges livestock owners can face. “I kept thinking, ‘What if the truck breaks down? What if there’s an accident? What if something happens far from home? Who do you call in that situation who understands animals, trucks, trailers, and the urgency of getting livestock safely where they need to go?’ The answer was obvious — other experienced transporters.”
She said those concerns extend well beyond the horse industry and affect livestock families across agriculture. “I also experienced firsthand the challenges that families and small producers face when moving livestock for 4-H or FFA project shows, sales and breeding programs.”
Many livestock owners, she said, only need transportation for one or two animals rather than an entire trailer load. “Sometimes the need is not a full trailer load. It may be one show steer, one breeding animal and a few goats or sheep, and an animal that needs to travel across several states.”
Bringing Livestock Owners and Transporters Together
Glaser said the current process of finding transportation often relies on social media, making it difficult to verify transporters or locate available trailer space. “A lot of livestock owners are still scrolling through Facebook posts and groups, trying to find someone headed in the right direction, hoping they found a dependable transporter. That process can be time-consuming, scattered and difficult to verify.”
The challenge exists for transporters as well. “Transporters face the same challenge from the other side. They may be scrolling through posts, hoping to find a load that fits an existing route, fill available trailer space or replace a last-minute cancellation so they’re not traveling empty.”
Those challenges inspired Glaser to build one centralized platform. “I started thinking about how to build a central transport connection site that would bring livestock owners, families, trainers, breeders and independent transporters together when someone needs a planned haul, has available trailer space or needs help in an unexpected situation.”
Trust, she added, remains the foundation of the livestock industry. “This is already an industry built on trust, promises and handshake-style agreements. Hitch N Ride is meant to give people one place to make those connections, communicate directly and build confidence before agreeing to a transport.”
How the Platform Works
Glaser explained that both livestock owners and transporters create an account using an email address and password. Users can register as either an owner, a transporter or both.
Livestock owners submit transportation requests by entering pickup and delivery locations, preferred dates, species, number of animals and other details.
Transporters must first complete a transportation profile before contacting livestock owners. “That requirement is an important security measure. It helps reduce spam, trolls and people who may be using the site simply to search for loads without providing information about who they are.”
Because many agricultural producers haul livestock themselves, Glaser said users can switch between both roles. “Many people in the livestock industry are on both sides of transportation. They may need help moving animals one week but have available space on their own trailer another week and be able to offer a ride.”
Once a request is submitted, the system automatically alerts qualified transporters. “Once you post the request, the system automatically notifies any transporters that are available in those states and for those species. They’re notified instantly as soon as the request is completed.”
Verifying Professional Transporters
A major feature of the platform is transporter verification. Glaser said transporters provide business information including service areas, equipment, insurance information, U.S. Department of Transportation numbers and motor carrier information.
That information is then checked using federal databases. “The system is set up to verify that with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration company snapshot.”
Artificial intelligence also assists with the verification process. “I do utilize AI to search those websites to verify that they’re a legitimate business, that they have DOT numbers and that any information that’s there is verified. Then I’m given a report that says, ‘Does this meet our criteria that this is a legitimate person?'”
Verified transporters receive a badge on their profile. “They get a verification badge that says we’ve verified they are in business, they have a DOT number and all of the information they gave us.”
Keeping Biosecurity a Priority
With livestock disease concerns continuing across the industry, including the threat of New World screwworm, Glaser said biosecurity discussions should happen before any transportation arrangements are finalized. “Biosecurity should be discussed with the transporter before you even make arrangements.”
She said owners and transporters should openly discuss health status, vaccinations, quarantine history and trailer sanitation. “We need to make sure that the transporters and the owners are talking openly about animal health, recent illness, exposure risk, quarantine history, testing, vaccinations, health certificates, permits, trailer cleaning and whether other animals will be transported on the same trip.”
Hitch N Ride is also developing additional educational resources. “We are releasing a pre-trip questionnaire in the resource section. It’s designed to help both sides ask the right questions before moving and make sure important health, handling and biosecurity details are not overlooked.”
The questionnaire will include questions about quarantine status, movement restrictions and veterinary clearance while providing links to state animal health agencies and USDA resources. “The goal is not to replace veterinary or regulatory agencies. It’s to make those conversations easier and help users know where to verify the information before animals are moved.”
Free to Use
Glaser said the platform is currently free for both livestock owners and transporters. “Currently, there is no fee to use the site. It’s free. The site is basically set up as a connection point right now.”
Transportation rates are negotiated directly between the livestock owner and transporter. “The actual rate for movement of livestock is currently set up between the transporter and the livestock owner, so rates are negotiated directly between the two parties.”
She added that future plans include membership options for transporters and integrated payment capabilities. “Eventually, we will be adding a payment feature that can be used between both parties.”
