H.E. Sutton Forwarding Company was established in 1957 by the late Halford Ewel Sutton. Born in Lamesa, Texas in 1921, Mr. Sutton was fondly referred to by his nickname “Tex”. Fast forward to the twenty-first century, and you will still find our loyal customers often using the trade name “Tex Sutton” to identify our company.
Tex became enamored with horses and horse racing at a young age. His inherent horsemanship put him on the fast track for a career in racing. Just 11 years old when he left home, Tex journeyed west to California by any available mode of transportation obtainable. After working odd-jobs to get by, Tex found himself on the backstretch with his foot in the door to his dreams of working with horses. His racetrack career included stints as a hot-walker, groom, exercise rider and even a valet.
Tex first ventured into the horse transportation industry in 1954, arranging the shipping of horses by railcar. The business continued to thrive over the next 15 years, until shipping by railcar became too cost prohibitive, ultimately providing the impetus to venture into air transport. Although not the first to transport horses by plane, Tex Sutton quickly established his company as the foremost authority on equine air transportation and has been credited with revolutionizing horse transportation practices. Tex insisted on employing capable horsemen to load, unload and attend to the needs of horses during flights - a practice that our company continues to utilize today.