Owning a horsebox or trailer can be a huge advantage if you need to transport your horse regularly, whether that’s to events, lessons or simply to meet friends for a ride. It’s also invaluable if you need to transport your horse in an emergency.
It’s therefore important to make sure your transport is ready and roadworthy whenever you need to use it.
Storing Your Transport at Your Yard
Many yards offer storage for horseboxes and trailers, but there are several things to consider before making arrangements.
Storage Costs and Insurance
Whilst many yards allow horseboxes and trailers to be stored free of charge, it’s important to check whether there may be additional charges, either weekly or monthly.
You should also consider whether the proposed storage location is acceptable to your insurer, whether your horsebox or trailer is appropriately insured against damage or theft, and whether storing it at that particular location could invalidate your insurance in any way.
Similarly, yard owners should ensure that any vehicle stored on their premises is appropriately insured, and taxed and MOT’d where they consider this necessary. Copies of the insurance documents and vehicle information should be kept on file by the yard owner.
Choosing a Suitable Storage Area
Consider the practicality of the storage area. Ideally, horseboxes and trailers should be parked on level, hardstanding surfaces such as tarmac, concrete or gravel.
Storing a lorry or trailer on grass may be perfectly suitable during the dry summer months, but wet winter conditions can leave the ground muddy and make it difficult to move your transport when needed. Storing vehicles on grass can also make the underside more prone to corrosion.
You should also think about how the vehicle is parked in case of problems such as a flat battery or mechanical issues with a horsebox.
- Could the horsebox be easily moved out of the storage area?
- Would it be possible to jump-start it from another vehicle if necessary?
- Is it close enough to an electrical supply to charge the battery?
Using Your Horsebox or Trailer for Storage
If you use your horsebox or trailer to store other items, you should consider the practicality and security of doing so, particularly if you’re keeping high-value items such as tack and rugs inside.
Storage during the summer months may be fine, but during winter you should ensure that tack and equipment won’t be affected by damp, leaks or infestations that could cause damage.
Check with your insurer whether your tack is covered when stored inside your transport.
You should also consider how accessible your vehicle is from public areas or roads and take the necessary precautions to keep it secure. This includes ensuring it is locked and considering additional anti-theft measures where necessary, such as steering wheel locks or wheel clamps.
Agreeing Access Arrangements
Finally, check access arrangements with the owner of the premises, particularly if they live on site.
There may be restrictions on the times when your transport can be moved. Early morning starts, waking people with a horsebox engine, hitching up or loading horses, and third parties using or accessing the lorry or trailer may not always be welcomed.
It’s best to agree these arrangements in advance so everyone understands what is expected.
Maintaining Your Horsebox or Trailer
Especially if you store your trailer or horsebox at your yard, it’s easy to see that it’s still there every day. But how often do you actually check that it’s roadworthy?
There is nothing worse than getting ready for a show only to discover that the horsebox battery is dead or the trailer has a flat tyre.
It’s sensible to carry out regular checks to make sure everything is as it should be, particularly if your transport isn’t used regularly.
Trailer Maintenance
Maintaining a trailer is relatively straightforward, but there are still several things you should check regularly:
- Tyres have sufficient pressure.
- Wheels are not seized.
- Tyres show no signs of perishing.
- Brakes are working correctly.
- There are no leaks.
- Floors and ramps are in good condition.
Checking hidden areas, particularly the condition of floors and ramps beneath rubber matting, is especially important before every use.
Moving the trailer regularly helps prevent moving parts from seizing. Taking the time every week or two to give it a thorough check is much better than discovering a problem on the morning you need to use it.
Checks Before Using Your Trailer
Before each journey, check that:
- All lights are working correctly once the trailer is hitched up to your vehicle.
- The mounted tyres and spare tyre are properly inflated and in good condition.
- The hitch and mount are in good condition.
- Safety chains and wiring are in good condition.
Horsebox Maintenance
Maintaining a horsebox is a little more complex. As with a trailer, you should regularly check the tyres, brakes, leaks and general condition, but there are additional issues to consider.
Horseboxes that stand unused for long periods can develop flat batteries, so it’s worth taking yours out for a run every week or two when it isn’t in regular use.
This will not only help maintain the life of the battery but also help prevent working parts from seizing and allow you to spot potential problems.
Moving the horsebox will also help you identify other issues, such as oil leaks beneath the parking area.
Every horsebox is different and may have additional features, such as air brakes, generators and hydraulic ramps. Make sure you carry out the appropriate checks for your particular vehicle.
Checks Before Using Your Horsebox
Before setting off, check:
- Fuel level.
- Oil levels.
- Water level.
- Windscreen wash.
- That the number plate is clean.
- That all lights are working.
For winter use, make sure you have the means to clear frosty windscreens easily.
Keeping a kit of useful items in the horsebox is also a good idea, along with details of your insurer and local recovery service.
Cleaning and Preparing Your Transport After Use
Once you’ve used your horsebox or trailer, it should be thoroughly cleaned out.
This not only leaves it ready for the next use but is also more hygienic for the horses and helps prevent damage or potential infestations.
It’s a good idea to clean both the interior and exterior regularly, as this can also help you spot potential problems with the bodywork, such as damage or corrosion.
If your horsebox has living facilities, remember to take the necessary precautions before leaving it unused:
- Remove food and other perishable items.
- Empty toilets and water tanks.
- Turn off gas bottles.
- Consider disconnecting the battery to prevent it going flat between uses.
Arrange an Annual Service
You should use a reputable garage to give your horsebox or trailer an annual service, in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
A professional will be able to carry out more in-depth mechanical checks and advise on any additional maintenance requirements to keep your transport in good working order.
Keep Your Transport Ready for When You Need It
By considering these points when arranging storage and maintaining your horsebox or trailer, you can help ensure that your transport is not only ready to use when needed, but also safe to use.