Equestrians have been reminded of the importance of understanding how much weight they can legally tow after a social media post highlighted the fact some are misinterpreting the requirements.

Last month a police force shared a post about trailer towing weights, including an example of how to calculate how much a vehicle can tow. The post generated much discussion, some agreeing with it and others arguing it was incorrect. The post was later removed and the force confirmed to H&H that officers had been given the incorrect information when it was published.

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency spokesperson told H&H every driver has responsibility for their own and other road users’ safety.

“This includes ensuring your vehicle, and what is being towed, is operated within its designed weight limit – and it is loaded safely,” she said.

Most vehicles display a manufacturer’s weight plate under the bonnet or on the door frame that typically shows the gross vehicle weight, gross train weight (GTW) and maximum front and rear axle weights. A trailer weight plate usually displays the maximum authorised mass (MAM), unladen weight and axle weight limits. For a towing set-up to be legal, neither the GTW nor the MAM may be exceeded.

The spokesperson said the GTW is the maximum weight of the towing vehicle, trailer and everything loaded into the vehicle and trailer – for example horse, passengers and equipment – and the GTW is “especially important when towing as it sets the maximum combined weight of the vehicle, trailer and load”.

“The weight of the load carried on the trailer, combined with the weight of the trailer itself, must not exceed the MAM of the trailer,” said the spokesperson, adding that drivers who are concerned are encouraged to use a local weighbridge to check their weights.

• Are you legal? Find out more about towing limits for horse trailers.

Claire Barker, PRP Rescue Services managing director, told H&H people often assume that because they have a large 4×4 for example, that it can tow more – which is not necessarily the case.

“Towing more than your vehicle’s capacity is a major safety concern as it will affect vehicle handling, particularly brakes, clutch and steering, putting you, your horses and other road users at risk,” said Ms Barker.

“There may also be insurance implications if the vehicle is being used in contravention of manufacturer’s recommendations or the law.”

National Trailer and Towing Association chief executive Sarah Smithurst told H&H that as well as the safety and legal implications, towing above the recommended capacity can also damage the towbar and trailer. She said it is “essential that correct weight limits are observed” – and also recommends that drivers have their vehicle towbar checked annually and trailer serviced regularly.

“Maintenance is key for horse owners; making sure that the trailer is checked regularly is imperative – not just for the chassis, brakes, towing gear and electrics but also for the floor and body of the trailer. Failure of any part can result in severe consequences,” she said.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

10 trailers to consider if you’re looking to buy, with examples from all the major brands

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Understanding the correct towing limits for horse trailers is highly important from a safety and legal perspective – but it’s a topic that often causes heated discussion as many drivers interpret the rules differently.

For a set-up to be correct both the towing vehicle and the trailer need to be considered – and you must not exceed the vehicle’s gross train weight (GTW) or the trailer’s maximum authorised mass (MAM). Vehicles and most trailers will have a weight plate, displaying the GTW or MAM. These can also be found in the vehicle handbook, and on some trailer manufacturer’s websites.

Confusion can arise where people assume that a big vehicle has a large GTW – which is not always the case. Similarly, some might assume that a vehicle with a large GTW – for example many pick-ups – will always be able to carry two big horses, but this is dependent on the trailer’s MAM; a trailer may be stalled for two but the MAM might not be great enough for two heavy horses.

How much can my vehicle tow?

The DVSA provided the below guidance to H&H to help owners understand weight plates and work out how much their vehicle can tow.

Understanding towing vehicle weight plates

Most vehicles display a manufacturer’s weight plate under the bonnet or on the door frame. It typically shows:

• Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
• Gross train weight (GTW)
• Maximum front and rear axle weights

The GTW is especially important when towing as it sets the maximum combined weight of the vehicle, trailer, and load.

Understanding trailer towing weight plates

A trailer’s plate usually displays:

• Maximum authorised mass (MAM)
• Unladen (empty) weight
• Axle weight limits

The MAM must never be exceeded, even if the towing vehicle is capable of towing more.

What is load weight?

Load weight refers to anything the trailer carries: the horse, tack, water, hay, equipment and any other items. To tow safely, you must:

• Ensure total load + unladen weight does not exceed the trailer MAM
• Ensure the combined vehicle and trailer weight does not exceed the GTW
• Balance load correctly to avoid instability or sway

How to work out how much your vehicle can tow

Below is the DVSA’s advice on how you can accurately establish how much your vehicle can tow, taking into account factors such as the horse, passengers, equipment and water.

1. Check the vehicle’s maximum permissible towing capacity

This is set by the manufacturer and can be found in the vehicle handbook or on the weight plate.

2. Identify the trailer’s plated weights

A trailer plate will display its MAM

3. Estimate load weight

Add together:

• Horse weight
• Passengers
• Tack, feed, bedding, and equipment
• Water and any additional carried items

4. Compare actual weight against limits

Ensure the total does not exceed either of the following:

• The vehicle’s maximum permissible towing capacity
• The trailer’s MAM
• Any combination or gross train weight limits

If you are ever unsure, you can take your vehicle to a public weighbridge to check the weight.

To summarise:

The GTW is the maximum weight of the:

• Towing vehicle
• Trailer
• And everything loaded into the towing vehicle and trailer

The weight of the load carried on the trailer, combined with the weight of the trailer itself, must not exceed the MAM of the trailer.

Importance of adhering to legal towing weight limits

Towing beyond the legal weight limits is a significant safety risk. Exceeding the MAM of either the towing vehicle, the trailer, or the overall combination can:

• Reduce vehicle stability and increase stopping distances
• Increase the likelihood of trailer sway
• Overload braking systems
• Lead to mechanical failure or loss of control

For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

When it comes to transporting your horse safely and comfortably, choosing between the best horse trailers can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve not purchased a trailer before.

Whether you’re thinking about buying a horse trailer for occasional trips or regular travel, understanding the options available is key – assuming you’re already compared horseboxes vs trailers, of course. But we know there’s still a lot to consider, so we’ve pulled it all together in this handy guide.

We’ve covered all the essentials to help you find the best horse trailer for your needs, so that you can spend more time planning your next trip and getting to grips with trailer safety checks.

Best trailers stalled for one horse

Ifor Williams HB403

Unladen weight: From 767kg

Gross weight: 1,600kg

Internal measurements: 3.08m(L), 1.3m(W), 2.2m(H)

RRP: From £7,214

Over the last 60 years Ifor Williams have been designing and engineering trailers, so you can trust their range of trailers. This single trailer from Ifor Williams is forward facing and provides more stall width than other double trailer models in their range and offers enough headroom to take a 16.2hh horse.

Being a narrower trailer, the HB403 is easier to tow and produces less wind resistance when towing. Available with a left- or right-hand front unload ramp, or in a rear-load-only configuration. It has an aluminium floor with rubber matting, and full-length breast and breeching bars.

For more information visit iwt.co.uk

Cheval Liberté Touring One

Unladen weight: 750kg

Gross weight: 1,600kg

Internal measurements: 3.2m(L), 1.36m(W), 2.25m(H)

RRP: From £7,560

The Cheval Liberté Group has been established for more than 20 years and boasts a wealth of experience in the design, manufacturing and distribution of its trailers. This single horse trailer is lightweight, durable and practical. Ideal for those looking for a spacious trailer who only need to transport one horse.

It is forward facing with a large front ramp and rear combination ramp that can be opened as a ramp or hinged like a door. It also features a full-height groom’s door as standard.

For more information visit cheval-liberte.co.uk

Best trailers stalled for up to two horses

Equi-trek Apollo

Unladen weight: 845kg

Gross weight: 2,000kg

Internal measurements: 3.35m(L), 1.79m(W), 2.35m(H)

RRP: From £7,998

Equi-Trek are the largest producer of horseboxes and trailers in the UK. This trailer is the result of two years of design and testing, it encompasses cutting-edge engineering techniques and superior materials for a wood free, lightweight model to transport horses in safety and style.

Horses travel forward-facing and are unloaded using the extra wide front ramp. The aerodynamic design creates a spacious and light horse area with enough headroom to accommodate horses up to 18hh.

For more information visit equi-trek.com

Ifor Williams HBX511

Unladen weight: Approx 945kg

Gross weight: 2,700kg

Internal measurements: 3.63m(L), 1.79m(W), 2.29m(H)

RRP: From £11,363

The Ifor Williams HBX511 is a twin-stall, forward-facing trailer for up to two horses (up to 17hh). It is available with the option of either a front left or right-hand ramp or a built-in tack locker.

The rear ramp operates as a normal ramp and it can also be opened as a side-hinged door. Features an aluminium floor with rubber matting, an adjustable centre partition, breast/breeching bars, and side windows for ventilation.

For more information visit iwt.co.uk

Bateson Deauville

Unladen weight: 865kg

Gross weight: 2,300kg

Internal measurements: 3.19m(L), 1.65m(W), 2.22m(H)

RRP: From £8,100

This front unload trailer is designed to accommodate two horses up to 17hh tall with its spacious 7ft3in headroom. It has an easy-to-operate centrally hinged partition.

The internal double saddle rack and cover can remain in place during unloading, and the larger front window incorporates a coupling mirror. The floor is made from rot proof plastic and galvanised steel with removable rubber mats.

For more information visit batesontrailers.com

Böckmann Big Portax WCF

Unladen weight: 1,330kg

Gross weight: 2,700kg

Internal measurements: 4.14m(L), 1.86m(W), 2.4m(H)

RRP: £20,640

This forward facing trailer from Böckmann is one of the generous trailers that is suitable for bigger horses currently on the market. The aluminium floor comes with a 20-year guarantee.

This trailer can accommodate two large horses and has a spacious walk-in tack room separated from the horse compartment.

For more information visit boeckmann.com

Cheval Liberté Touring Country

Unladen weight: 850kg

Gross weight: 2,600kg

Internal measurements: 3.2m(L), 1.67m(W), 2.3m(H)

RRP: From £8,160

This forward-facing trailer comes with a large front ramp for easy unloading and the additional large groom’s door provides easy access. It has aluminium flooring with rubber matting, and you can transform the opening of the rear of the trailer from a ramp to a door to suit your needs.

For more information visit cheval-liberte.co.uk

Best horse trailers with living

Equi-Trek Night-Treka

Unladen weight: 1,195kg

Gross weight: 2,000kg

Internal measurements: 4.58m(L), 1.87m(W), 2.33m(H)

RRP: From £16,679

Rear-facing with side ramp, aluminium floor and slip resistant rubber matting. For those looking for a trailer with overnight accommodation, the Night-Treka would make a great choice for those who want to stay away from home.

The living area can comfortably sleep two people. The seating converts into two sleeping bunks, a stainless-steel sink with a gas hob and water carrier, along with a fold down table providing somewhere to eat meals. Storage is no problem either, as the trailer comes complete with a practical tack locker that is fitted with two saddle and two bridle racks.

For more information visit equi-trek.com

Ifor Williams Eventa M Base

Unladen weight: 1,809kg

Gross weight: 3,500kg

Internal measurements: 4.45m(L), 2.21m(W), 2.29m(H)

RRP: From £22,373

The Ifor Williams Eventa range has been designed for horse owners wishing to travel further and stay overnight. Herringbone with aluminium flooring with thick rubber matting and rear ramp. There are two levels of finish; Base and Gold.

The Base trailer is supplied with no fit-out to the living area allowing you to customise this area yourself. The Gold comes seating for three, sleeping accommodation for two, a sink and plenty of storage space and a gas cooking hob.

The Eventa M can carry 2 horses up to 16.2hh (dependent on weight). If you have a larger horse or want to travel up to three ponies the Eventa Large may be a better choice for you.

For more information visit iwt.co.uk

Cheval Liberté Maxi Living Signature

Unladen weight: 1,800kg

Gross weight: 3,500kg

Internal measurements: 4.9m(L), 2.07m(W), 2.3m(H)

RRP: From £18,600

This model was new for 2025. Horses travel herringbone, and it can be adjusted to fit two horses or three ponies. It has a side-unload ramp and rear ramp that can also open as a van door. The floor is aluminium and covered in rubber mats.

The seating area converts into a bed and fitted storage with a range of cupboards, compartments and shelving. Whether you’re heading to competitions or enjoying weekend getaways, the Maxi Living Signature trailer is ideal for those looking for some extra living space and storage.

For more information visit cheval-liberte.co.uk

Can I tow a horse trailer?

Since the trailer test was scrapped in 2021, anyone with a full driving licence can tow a trailer with up to 3.5T maximum authorised mass (MAM). Trailer training still remains crucial, however.

This training will teach you how to tow smoothly and safely, which is essential for your horse’s wellbeing. It will also build your confidence on the road, including your ability to reverse, hitch up, and unhitch a trailer with ease.

Another vital consideration is ensuring your chosen towing vehicle has a suitable towing capacity for your specific requirements – here’s how to check whether your trailer and car combination comply with legal towing limits for horse trailers.

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Getting stuck in traffic on the motorway is a pain at the best of times, but when you’re travelling horses, it can quickly turn into every owner’s worst nightmare — especially if you add high temperatures into the mix.

Preparation is key

Before travelling anywhere, make sure you have enough supplies on board (here’s a travel kit checklist) to keep your horses safe if you end up waiting in traffic. During spells of hot weather, take more water than you need — you may need it to help cool your horses down, as well as giving them something to drink.

The British Grooms Association gives the following recommendations: “Pre-travelling, it is wise to check traffic and take plenty of water and hay. It’s best to travel during the coolest hours of early morning and when the sun has gone down, and ensure that your equine breakdown recovery is up to date.”

Do your research before leaving, and check for any diversions or pre-planned road closures on your route. Likewise, keep an eye on when you’re travelling. If you clash with notable dates like schools breaking up for holidays and sports or music events, you may end up sitting in congestion that isn’t normally there.

It’s possible to install fans in lorries and trailers too, so if you plan to do lots of travelling over the summer months, consider looking into the best set-up for your vehicle.

Worst case scenarios

If you get caught up in traffic on the motorway and you’re worried about the welfare of your horse, your first port of call is to ring 101. Get your concerns logged as soon as you can, so you have plenty of time to create a plan.

“If it’s over 25°C, and you have horses on board, you need to call 101 to alert them prior making any decisions,” says the British Grooms Association. “It is not OK to use the hard shoulder, and the police would be required to be alerted if you were in a situation where the horses were distressed.”

While it’s tempting to drive straight on to the hard shoulder and leave at the next exit, you’d be opening yourself up to prosecution and getting a fine and points. As the British Grooms Association states, “the hard shoulder is there for use in emergencies only.”

Using the hard shoulder without informing the police could also result in compromising an investigation. If you don’t know where or what the police are dealing with, you could end up driving straight into the scene. When you call 101, you can find out whether the nearest exit is clear.

If your horse is getting distressed, it becomes a personal decision as to whether you risk using the hard shoulder. No one is permitted to drive on it, so you may still leave yourself open to prosecution, even if 101 is aware of your situation and the exit is clear. So, if you do decide to take the risk, ensure you have evidence to prove the mitigating circumstances, such as a video of your distressed horse and a record of the temperature.

According to the RAC, motorists who drive on the hard shoulder could receive a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.

The force’s decision

Each police force will have its own protocol when it comes to assisting and helping vehicles travelling horses. Every situation is looked at on a case-by-case basis, and varying factors will influence the action taken. These may include the temperature, the length of time waiting, the state of the horses, the reason for traffic, and the incident that the police are dealing with.

Clare Blatchley was travelling her horses when she ended up waiting in traffic for over 40 minutes, on a hot day.

“We were in a jam and a police car approached us and asked if the horses were restless due to the heat and the length of time we had already been waiting. We said we were getting worried about them overheating and we didn’t have much water left on board, so they escorted us off the motorway on the hard shoulder. They were amazing!”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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One in 10 trailers advertised for sale and checked on a Europe-wide database of stolen plant and equipment matched stolen items in 2023.

The Equipment Register (TER) reported that 10% of checks on its database against farm trailers/trailers and horseboxes show that they had been stolen.

Treve Jenkyn, data director at TER, said trailer owners are facing increasing obstacles to prevent theft.

“Thieves are using technologies such as drones and trackers to identify trailers to steal, even when they are supposedly stored securely on a farm’s premises,” he said.

“Thieves put their trackers on target trailers to identify location for easy theft. They are also using social media sites like Facebook Marketplace to sell stolen equipment.”

The 2023 NFU Mutual rural crime report found the cost of rural crime rose by 22% in 2022. The report also highlighted that “soaring second-hand markets and demand” had led to a 66% increase in trailer thefts in 2022, totalling £2.9m.

Valerie Isted, who owns Equinity Trailers, has a fleet of 60 Ifor Williams trailers for hire, which are registered with TER.

“This action has thwarted the theft of two of our trailers,” she said.

“Every time someone runs a check against one of our trailers, The Equipment Register contacts us as the registered owners to let us know.

“On one recent occasion we were alerted to a check on one of our Ifor Williams trailers that was being advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Blackpool, some 300 miles away. Although the thieves had caused some damage to the trailer’s chassis, we were delighted to be able to recover our property and prevent it being sold on.”

She added: “Rural crime is on the rise, and it is essential that any would-be purchaser of a horsebox checks to ensure that the trailer is not stolen.

“We would also recommend owners make sure they have their trailers registered pre-loss to maximise the chances of its recovery post theft.”

You might also be interested in:

10 trailers to consider if you’re looking to buy, with examples from all the major brands

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the Paris Olympics, Royal International, Burghley and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Most horse owners at some stage will consider whether they want to invest in a horsebox or trailer. You can get by without your own transport, but whether it’s competing, hunting, fun rides or even taking the horse to the vet, at some stage it feels more practical to have your own set of wheels rather than begging lifts or hiring transport on demand.

A trailer is towed behind your car. As such, you need to have a sufficiently powerful and heavy car to match up to the trailer’s weight with a horse. Horses typically travel facing forwards in trailers, but some of the larger models now offer herringbone or rear-facing stalls, giving more options to keep horses comfortable while on the road.

The best trailers tend to be more popular with those who compete less often and therefore don’t want a horsebox taking up half the drive when it’s not in use so frequently. And if you’ve only one horse to transport, you may not need require as much space as lorry offers.

A horsebox is a lorry designed – or converted – specifically to travel horses. There are rear-facing, forward-facing and herringbone options. Like trailers, there is a big range in size from two-horse 3.5t horseboxes with minimal living area, to vast 10-horse trucks with room for a small family to camp in style. Horseboxes – also known as lorries — tend to be the preferred option for professional riders. They typically look smarter, take a string of horses, and have space to entertain owners in the living area.

Trailers: the pros

• Trailers are cheaper than lorries on several levels. Their price-tag is lower as an initial investment, and their running costs are lower, because there is less to maintain, ie no engine, no MOT/plating, nor road tax
• Fuel: even a diesel 4×4 car towing a load is cheaper to refuel than a horsebox
• Since December 2021, the rule has been scrapped that prohibited drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997 from driving a trailer without an additional trailer test. This cuts out the need for additional fees and time-consuming qualifications. However, driving a trailer isn’t completely straightforward so it’s advisable to undergo training before transporting horses
• You can park, unhitch and drive away unencumbered when you don’t need the trailer, for instance when you are stabling your horse at a show and want to nip out to buy food
• Your trailer will usually have basic cover as part of your car insurance policy. However, it is advisable to have dedicated horse trailer insurance, as well as specialist breakdown to cover recovery of your horses

Cons

• You need an appropriate car for towing. This is only really a con if you have to upgrade your current vehicle. However, just because a car has a towbar does not mean it’s fit, or legal, to pull a trailer. Be aware, too, that straining the car will reduce its working life. The total weight of what you are towing (the trailer, plus the weight of everything on board) must not weigh more than the car’s maximum towing capacity (MTC), which can be found in your car’s handbook
• Most trailers have stalls for only two horses, and the larger ones that have three or even four berths need a very powerful car to tow them safely
• Most trailers are not designed for overnight stays, although some people are prepared to camp in the horse area if the need arises. The few that do have separate living or tack areas, tend to need a larger towing vehicle
• Many drivers find them harder to drive and manoeuvre, especially reversing down a narrow country lane, but it is vital that you are confident and skilled at driving with a trailer before putting horses on board

Horsebox or trailer: ‘Running costs are next to nothing’

Kirsty Morton switched from a 7.5t lorry to a 3.9t in 2020, but when her new horse didn’t travel in the smaller (rear-facing) lorry, she switched to a trailer and Jeep, in which he travels “perfectly”.

“At first I hated the trailer; I felt like I had dropped down in the world as I absolutely loved the lorry,” says Kirsty, who competes in British Showjumping. “But a good six months in, I wouldn’t change it – there are so many pros.”

Kirsty lists running costs and cheaper fuel as key advantages: “The days of £1,000-plus per year running costs are gone. And I now have a nice Jeep for running about in, and the flexibility at a stay-away show to nip out for food.”

On the downside, she misses the space, both the living area and room to tack up.

“But with the rising costs of everything, I won’t be staying away as much, and if I were to stay away, I could get a nice B&B or Travelodge.”

Horseboxes: the pros

• Most people believe horses travel better in lorries. There tends to be more space and the suspension can be better in a lorry, affording a smoother ride and minimising the effects of bumpy roads
• You can drive a 3.5t horsebox on your car licence (B category) without additional qualifications
• The larger the horsebox, the more horses you can transport, though this is subject to the payload, so don’t assume just because you a two-berth lorry, you can legally take two large horses. But overall, you simply have more space, for the horses, kit and people
• Most lorries do have some living area, which gives the option of at least being able to shelter from the wind and rain and enjoy a cup of hot tea – or more formal hosting for riders with clients. The larger lorries have a sizeable, well-fitted room with plenty of space for a small family to camp during shows
• The majority of larger lorries have access directly through from the living area to the stalls. This means that you may not need to get out of the truck if you need to check on the horses during the journey or in an emergency
• Horseboxes are steadier in high winds
• They look smarter, and therefore besides having the space to carry a string, are the preferred choice for the professional rider

Cons

• Initial expense: horseboxes are typically much more expensive to purchase than trailers, as they are larger, with more facilities, have their own engine and are a vehicle in their own right
• Ongoing expense: the running costs of a horsebox are higher than a trailer, because it is effectively like having another vehicle on the road (and you’ll also need a car for everyday use). This means it needs an MOT/plating, insurance, servicing and general maintenance/repairs
• Unless you passed your regular driving test before January 1997, for a horsebox between 3.5t and 7.5t you need a C1 licence and to take a DVSA test. Above 7.5t, all drivers need the category C lorry licence for up to 32t. This takes time: you need a medical from the doctor, a two-part theory test and then HGV training, which can cost up to £3,000
• You need to be really careful not to go overweight in a horsebox – especially if you are transporting more than one horse/pony in a 3.5T, but also many 7.5T lorries partitioned for three horses do not have sufficient payload to carry three along with all their associated kit. Take the lorry to the weighbridge to check you are within the limits
• If you’re at a show and want to nip out to shops, your only vehicle is a horsebox, which is both unwieldy on country lanes and in car parks, as well as expensive on fuel
• A trailer pulled by a strong 4×4 is easier to extract from a muddy field than a horsebox which has to wait its turn for the tractor tow

Horsebox or trailer: ‘far less stressful in the lorry’

Liz Roberts switched from a trailer to a 7.5t lorry. She has a 17hh Irish Sport Horse competing at medium and a semi-retired advanced medium 16.3hh gelding who works as a voluntary police horse, plus a rescue pony who acts as a travelling companion.

“Having two big horses we’ve found it is far less stressful in the lorry than when we towed,” Liz says. “We love the fact that when we arrive at a show or home, with a trailer you tend to explode out of it, with stuff rammed in all over the place, the car smells of sweaty saddle cloths – with a lorry, it stays in the lorry.

“We can bring a few spares, the day living is super for a quick cuppa and somewhere dry to sit.”

However, Liz does acknowledge the higher costs.

“It is more expensive – at least £1,000 to £2,000 per year to get through the annual test. The current cost of fuel is making us think twice, but to have a vehicle big enough to tow two 16.3hh horses safely would mean for everyday driving the fuel consumption would be higher. Instead, we have an economical car for everyday use. Insurance is relatively cheap for our 22-year-old lorry.”

Horsebox and trailer

Like so many things, it’s horses for courses. Some people flipflop between the two modes of transport throughout their horse-owning life depending on their needs at the time, financial situation and horsepower – others keep both, using whichever suits the day’s predicament.

Kellie Fisher has owned a 7.5t, two 3.5ts and two trailers during her eventing career, changing modes according to “cost, environmental and personal reasons”.

“I started with a 3.5t because I was 18 and it was the only option I could drive legally,” she says. “My next horse had to travel herringbone after losing his footing in a trailer so I bought a 7.5t and it was wonderful having the storage space and I enjoyed sharing lifts with friends.”

Her next 3.5t had living but only had the payload for one horse, which eventually proved limiting, and so she switched to an IW Eventa trailer, which includes herringbone stalls and living accommodation.

“It was amazing for eventing with lots of storage, overnight and day living, plus so economical compared to a lorry,” she says. “We had hoped to change our car for something more environmentally minded, but nothing electric in our price range could tow the Eventa, so I bit the bullet and had a 7.5t lorry built to specification.”

Now with a giant breed dog and a toddler, and plenty of experience on exactly what she wants from her horse transport, Kellie is thrilled with her Tristar non-coachbuilt (a cheaper option) lorry.

“I would prefer greater economy and less environmental impact in terms of diesel, but we have chosen to have an electric car instead. I’m hoping electric/biofuel lorries become mainstream soon!”

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The owner of a broodmare who got stuck upside-down over a trailer breast bar has urged others to ensure their quick-release mechanisms are correctly in place.

Lorna Madden’s mare Grace escaped with barely a scratch after the terrifying incident on 4 August but Lorna said had the breast bar not been fitted the right way round – so it could be disconnected to free the mare – the outcome could have been a broken neck or back.

“It was really strange,” Lorna told H&H. “I’d seen something about it on TikTok that morning and thought I’d better check mine, and one was the wrong way round. It was like fate; it could have been a different story.”

Lorna said Grace, who had a successful British Showjumping career and competed at the Horse of the Year Show as a working hunter, is now 21 and has bred four foals. She is dry this year and Grace had planned to take her to stud that day.

“I think she’s going to retire fully now,” said Lorna. “She was accompanying a two-year-old who was going to new grass; my partner was in the car while I unloaded the other one. She stamped and whinnied, then was silent.

“I walked past and thought I could hear her breathing funny. I looked in and said to my partner: ‘Luke. She’s upside-down’.”

Grace had tried to jump the breast bar and tipped up over it. Lorna freed her from the quick-release “bungee” securing her in the trailer, then she and her partner unscrewed the pins holding the breast bar so it dropped to allow the mare out.

“The L-shaped hook with the pin going through it has to be attached to the outer wall,” she said. “If it’s the curved end on the wall, it won’t let the bar drop. [Because it was the right way round] it dropped and she was free, she stood up and was fine, not bothered, casual as anything. She was so good.”

Lorna also urged others to ensure the bolts on the outside are not over-tightened to ensure they can be released when needed, and to avoid tying horses to them, something she has seen people do, as it could bend them.

“It’s a safety feature and you wouldn’t know until you needed it,” she said.

“Thank you to Ifor Williams, for safety at its finest.”

Ifor Williams Trailers sales manager Lois Wynne told H&H: “We’re glad to hear that the safety release mechanism worked and that everything was fine in the end.

“The safety and comfort of horses is always our uppermost concern when designing our horseboxes and we are pleased that Lorna has recognised this.

“We’d like to wish ‘Crazy Grace’ a long and happy retirement.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Most people with a driving licence are allowed to tow a horse trailer without having to sit an extra test, but H&H recommends that anyone without practical towing experience undertakes professional training to ensure they can give their horse the most comfortable journey so everyone arrives safe and relaxed at their destination.

Being able to tow your horse opens up a wide range of opportunities from travelling to lessons, competitions and events to being able to get your horse to a vet in an emergency.

However, it’s easy to forget how unnatural travelling is for your horse, so understanding how they travel and what their preferences are will help you give him the best possible ride.

The best horse trailers offer a variety of travelling positions including front-facing, rear-facing and herringbone (diagonal), but the jury’s out on a definite favourite.

“There have been a few studies where horses have been travelled loose, allowing them to choose which position they travel in, and what these studies consistently showed was that some horses prefer to face forward, some prefer facing backwards and some stand herringbone,” explains scientist Dr David Marlin. “One big consistency is that we never see them standing side-on, and there is a small preference for rearward facing.”

We know that horses spend a lot of time balancing themselves in transit, making a trailer journey fairly demanding.

“If we look at videos of horses being ‘trailered’, what we see is that they are making a lot of adjustments with their feet which uses up energy,” says David. “One study that showed that the energy expended by a horse during travel is somewhere between walking and trotting, so they are using up a lot of energy through postural muscles maintaining their balance and position.”

Based on this, horses may need some time to recover from a journey before competing.

“When it comes to the length of recovery time after a trailer journey, it depends on the length of the journey,” says David. “If you were doing an eight- to 10-hour journey, I’d suggest at least an overnight stay to help the horse recover. However, travelling just three or four hours but on windy roads, and on a hot day, could take the edge off your horse competitively. Nobody ever says that their horse jumped badly because he was tired from travelling. It’s not something people consider.”

For shorter journeys of under three or four hours, allowing an hour or three before they compete isn’t going to make a lot of difference.

“What you really want is for them to have a drink, cool off and relax before competing, but they won’t fully recover the energy they used during travel unless they are rested overnight,” says David. “Therefore, if you are competing in an important event and you want your horse on top form, I’d recommend giving your horse at least a day to recover.”

Factors affecting a positive trailer experience

How good a ride your horse has in the trailer depends on a variety of factors.

“It’s worth considering things such as your horse’s previous travel experience, whether he is happy or stressed on his own, whether you are on straight, good-quality roads or whether you’re on bumpy roads with lots of corners, how well you drive, the suspension on the trailer, how much other traffic is on the road, the noise, the heat – there are so many factors that can influence the quality of the ride for the horse,” says David.

“There will be some horses who don’t like facing backwards, but if we’re going on a combination of science and practical experience, and listening to what horse owners say, the starting point would be travelling backwards, with forage and a companion, and driving as carefully as possible on the best roads possible.”

It’s often clear when a horse hasn’t travelled well. “If a horse spends a lot of time vocalising, kicking the trailer, is covered in sweat, won’t eat or drink, and has loose droppings, they clearly don’t enjoy travelling,” says David. “That’s when you should consider what’s best for your horse and whether a change of travel position, addition of a companion or change in driving style would be beneficial.”

Horse comfort

Trailer layout can play an important role in your horse’s comfort.

“As prey animals, horses are naturally claustrophobic, and since most traditional horse trailers have a narrow rear ramp and a dark interior, resistance when loading is quite reasonable when your horse’s instinct is telling to avoid dark and enclosed spaces,” explains Tom Janion, managing director of Equi-Trek. “There are a few design options to help reduce stress. For example, full-height ramps provide a shallow and more inviting ramp angle while ensuring there is not too great a step on to the ramp itself. In addition, safety doors on either side of the ramp will help to guide the horse up and into the vehicle, preventing them from stepping off the side of the ramp and reducing the possibility of injury.”

Side-loading trailers with low, wide ramps and windows all around increase the feeling of internal space.

“This helps to make loading easier and safer as the horse is encouraged to enter a light, spacious area with less feeling of confinement,” adds Tom. “A side-ramp which is situated on the offside of the vehicle is also preferable because it ensures the handler remains between the horse and the exit at all times. This reduces the risk of being trapped.

Also, unloading the horse is made easier because the horse exits the trailer by walking forwards, eliminating the need to turn in a tight space.”

Travelling horses facing forward, backward or angled depends on your individual horse, and although research does point to some horses preferring to travel facing backwards, some prefer travelling herringbone.

“We find diagonal-loading trailers are often used by individuals who really struggle to travel their horses using straight-loading,” explains Alice Roberts of Cheval Liberté UK.

“This is because diagonal-facing tends to be more spacious and allows horses to ride more comfortably due to more room to move their legs apart and balance, therefore taking pressure off their joints.”

It’s also worth considering the trailer’s suspension.

“In terms of ride, look for trailer ranges which offer a car-like suspension, such as those consisting of four galvanised steel independent articulated arms with four torsion springs and four dampers [independent suspension],” adds Alice. “Not only does this allow for low riding height, but it also absorbs imperfections in the road, significantly reducing interior noise and movement, meaning a calmer environment for the horse.”

A smooth and comfortable journey

Ensuring your horse has a smooth and comfortable journey will not only help prevent injury, but good experiences will also mean he’s more likely to load again next time. Here, Equine Rescue Services’ Chris Facer offers his advice for towing horses:

• Plan your route to avoid busy spots and bumpy, windy roads where possible, and work out where to stop if your journey is more than three or four hours long.
• The maximum speed to tow a horse trailer is 50mph on single carriageway and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways, but always drive at a speed that is safe for the road conditions.
• Be mindful of your braking distances and how hard you brake. You should brake slowly and carefully so as to not cause your horse to lose balance. Always accelerate gradually, too.
• Consider how fast you take corners. A good way to monitor your cornering is to place a bottle of water in the footwell of the passenger’s seat — if it falls over, you are going too fast.
• Stop every few hours to check on your horse and offer water. If it’s a particularly long journey, allow your horse a break from travelling — pull into a service station, unload and walk your horse to stretch his legs.
• Where possible, avoid travelling in rush hour where you are likely to be stationary for long periods, especially during hot weather.
• Rug your horse for the weather and temperature. A wicking, breathable travel rug will help prevent sweating.
• Give your horse enough time to recover from travelling before being exercised, and similarly, enough time to cool down and recover from exercise before travelling. Each horse is different but 45-60 minutes is a good starting point.
• Ensure your trailer is well ventilated.
• If travelling in the dark, ensure the light inside the trailer is on as this reduces the glare from vehicle lights outside.

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The owners of a trailer that “disintegrated” in transit, allowing their horse to fall out on to the road, is urging others to check their transport, to avoid a similar situation.

Julie McMaster and her partner David Smilie were on their way back from a show last October when Julie’s horse Kalvin came out of their Equi-Trek. Julie told H&H she has only recently been able to speak about the incident.

“It’s taken me this long to get my head round it, or put another horse in a trailer,” she said. “It was horrific.”

David was driving, on the way back from a local venue, when Julie realised Kalvin was in trouble.

“I saw his leg in the wing mirror, which will stay with me for ever,” Julie said. “We didn’t even hear him, but the first thing I saw was my saddle, flying out of the tack locker. I said to David ‘Stop, my saddle’s just fallen out’. I thought I must have left the locker open, then I looked in the mirror again and said ‘Oh my god. Stop now’. All I could see was his leg hanging out of the back of the trailer. I jumped out and ran round, and it was horrific; his bum and back leg were right down on the road.”

Julie said 17hh Kalvin was lying as if he was cast.

“His head was rotated behind the spare wheel, and his body stuck at the top of the trailer,” she said. “I went into scream mode because I couldn’t help him. I was on the phone to the fire brigade but they’re 20 minutes away and I don’t think he’d have survived that long. David went to the back of the trailer and moved something, and I saw the trailer moving. Calvin got his head round and stuck it out of the jockey door, and I don’t know how he managed it but he somehow got on his knees, and kind of rolled out on to the road. The noise will stay with me for ever; we heard the whole trailer crumpling.

“Kalvin landed in a heap on the road while the trailer disintegrated.”

Kalvin, who is now 11, needed stitches for a cut but was otherwise unhurt, and suffered no ill effects from the experience. Julie said he walked happily on to a lorry to go home, and was not lame.

“I believe my other horse wouldn’t have survived but he wanted out; he wasn’t going to die in that trailer that day,” Julie said. “It shows his strength, to get out of that, and that makes me emotional. It’s a miracle he came out of it.”

Julie and David have since spent thousands on repairing the trailer, including measures to mitigate what they believe are flaws in its building.

“We’re not having a go at Equi-Trek but trying to tell people to check their panels, of trailers and 3.5t horseboxes,” David told H&H. “Make sure they’re sound and safe. The conclusion I’ve come to is that this trailer was built with safety secondary, which isn’t really acceptable.

“The side panels are 14mm thick and the back one, where the door is, 11mm thick. That’s how it came from the factory, and structurally, there’s nothing holding the horses in.”

David said the lack of vertical supports concerns him, as does the lack of any anti-roll precautions, such as bars. The couple have since had such a bar welded on.

“The whole thing would have collapsed if it had rolled,” he said. “The [breast] bar is only retained by two bots through the 14mm side panels; if you’ve got two big horses leaning on it, that’s not robust at all.”

David said he has also found out that the sealant used does not stop water seeping in, and “rotting the timber from the inside”.

“It’s always going to rot and that’s what happened,” he said. “The panel came away from the chassis.”

David said he tried repeatedly to contact Equi-Trek, to no avail.

“Their customer relations are abominable, and they’ve got a duty of care,” he said. “If they know panels should be renewed within a period of time, they should put public notifications out, but there’s nothing. And this is about safety of animals. People need to be aware.”

Both Julie and David said that had they been carrying two horses, or on a dual carriageway or motorway at the time, it would also have been people put at risk.

“If it had happened on the bypass, we could have killed someone,” Julie said. “It’s not worth thinking about. Just check your panels, in trailers and lorries, as they’re the only thing between your horse and the road.”

An Equi-Trek spokesman told H&H: “Equi-Trek trailers and horseboxes are incredibly safe, however, like all makes and models of road going vehicles or trailers they need to be maintained and serviced correctly. All second-generation Equi-Trek trailers and horseboxes have wood free composite panels, but this still doesn’t remove the need for servicing and maintenance.

“Wooden panels are only compromised if left saturated for an extended period of time. When panel inspections are carried out they are not just visual as they include the use of a damp tester. Wooden panels are safe when correctly maintained.

“We would always recommend purchasing any used horsebox or trailer from a reputable dealer to ensure that the trailer or horsebox is safe and that you are correctly advised on the schedule for essential maintenance and checks. In addition to this we also offer free safety checks on all makes and models of horseboxes and trailers, appointments for which can be made at the following national locations:

• Equi-Trek Lincolnshire Tel: 01724 706900 Email: sales@equi-trek-epworth.com
  Equi-Trek Suffolk Tel: 01284 387000 Email: info@suffolktrailers.co.uk
  Equi-Trek Three Counties Tel: 01684 311811 Email: enquiries@equi-trek-worcester.co.uk
  Equi-Trek South Yorkshire Tel: 0114 288 4411 Email: sales@equi-trek.com

“Trailer servicing is unfortunately not a legal requirement but is strongly advised by manufacturers and the National Trailer and Towing Association. Motorised vehicles must have an MoT but regrettably this isn’t the case for trailers, which are no different to other forms of transport on the road in terms of their potential to cause accident or injury when not maintained.

“We implore anyone who is considering buying a trailer privately or not from a reputable dealer to check the age of the trailer by sending the chassis number to the manufacturer, to ask to see the service history and to have it checked by a suitably qualified professional, especially the brakes, flooring and panels.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Government is urging drivers to “get trailer trained” as a survey found more than half of those towing legally have had no training.

The DVSA surveyed experienced drivers who tow, or plan to, and found that over 60% of more than 1,000 respondents had had no training. Three quarters of the drivers towed for leisure, and 46% travel horses.

“Although confidence to tow was highly reported amongst those surveyed, there is no substitute for learning the right skills and knowledge with a trained professional,” a DVSA spokesman said.

The results of the survey were released during the National Trailer Towing Association’s Trailer Safety Week, which runs from 5 to 11 June.

DVSA head of vocational policy Jessica Williams said: “The survey is clear that whilst people feel confident about towing, the majority have not been trained by a road safety professional, regardless of when they passed their test.

“If you’re planning to go away this summer, make sure you get training from an accredited provider. Whether you’ve never towed before, or already have some experience, ensuring you have the right skills and knowledge will keep you and others safe.”

There had been concern over road safety since the Government announced in 2021 that the trailer test was to be scrapped. This decision also caused concern for the future of driver-training businesses, as well as animal welfare. Last May, the DVSA announced the launch of an accredited trailer training scheme, which “provides drivers with a good understanding of how to tow safely in different conditions, no matter what they choose to tow”.

It also covers pre-journey safety checks, on vehicle and trailer, which are “essential in making sure the trailer is safe to be on the road and correctly attached to the vehicle”.

Transport minister Richard Holden said: “The Government is committed to supporting the safe use of trailers and helping to keep everyone safe on the roads.

“I am pleased to see DVSA’s support for Trailer Safety Week and know they will continue to work with the National Council of Accredited Trailer Training to promote the accredited training offer to experienced and novice towers alike.

“And more broadly, they will continue to push out key safety messages for trailer users”.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A rider who believes she was minutes from catastrophe when a horse came over the breast bar of her trailer wants to raise awareness – and prevent such a situation happening again.

Jennie Thorn told H&H she had one horse in her Ifor Williams HBX511 two-horse trailer and was near the A40 dual carriageway when the pin holding the breast bar came out of position.

“The bar came down and he got squashed in the front of the trailer,” she said. “He kicked the daylights out of it – thank god he didn’t get out of the jockey door – then went over the other breast bar into the other side of the trailer and ended up facing backwards.

“If we had been on the A40, I genuinely believe he’d have flipped the trailer over or come out backwards on the dual carriageway.”

Jennie said the silver lining of the horse’s facing backwards was that she was able, once he was calm, to lower the ramp, release the back bar and lead him out. He was uninjured but the trailer was damaged. Jennie said when she took it in to the sales and servicing centre she uses, she explained what had happened.

“He said straight away ‘The pin’s in the wrong way round’,” she said. “He said he’d seen it before, and I said ‘That’s terrifying’. He said it has to go left rather than right or it doesn’t close properly. That’s the difference between a horse nearly having a serious accident and not, and anyone could put the pin in the wrong way, and he said yes.”

Jennie said she read through the user’s manual on the trailer, which is two years old, and found no mention of the need to close the pins one way rather than the other.

“I read it from front to back and at no point does it say it’s possible to put the pins in the wrong way round,” she said. “I contacted Ifor Williams and said I thought this was really serious and they said it was user error. I said ‘Excuse me?’ I asked if they had any idea how serious this could have been, because of a pin facing the wrong way. If this is a known issue, why on earth is it not written in the manual?”

Jennie, a certified horse transporter, said the trailer is of very good quality, withstanding the horse crashing about in panic. But she wanted to share the story to make others aware of this issue. She has also asked Ifor Williams to consider editing the user manual, or taking out advertisements or social media posts.

“This isn’t about getting my trailer fixed,” she said. “I just don’t want there to be a terrible accident because this has happened to someone else.

“They’re great trailers and the quick release on the breast bars works brilliantly, but this could have been avoided.”

Ian Baldwin, group head of design at Ifor Williams Trailers, told H&H: “We have been using this same design for more than 20 years and to my knowledge we have never had a case like this raised with us before and our safety record is second to none.

“The design means it is very difficult to fit an open lynchpin in the wrong way around because if you do so the ring would be pushing against the side of the horsebox.

“If you have fitted it the wrong way around so it no longer acts as a lynchpin, you can just slide it in and out so it should be clear that it’s not doing anything at that point.

“However, as a precaution, we are going to revise the manual to provide additional clarity about how to use a lynchpin and take the customer through how to fit it step by step.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Newly released statistics from an insurance firm suggest that “locks alone do not offer comprehensive security” when it comes to horse trailer theft.

Ecclesiastical, the insurer behind SEIB Insurance Brokers’ horse trailer policies, has provided statistics on claims made over the last year in the interests of “offering suggestions to help prevent future trailer theft”.

Data from horse trailer claims made by SEIB clients shows that 95% of stolen horse trailers were taken from a location away from the clients’ home addresses. A total of 20% only had a hitch lock, 63% had a hitch lock and a wheel clamp, 11 % had just a wheel clamp and 6% had unknown security. A statement from the firms said the statistics suggest “that locks alone do not offer comprehensive security”.

“We’re sharing these statistics to give our customers the best possible chance to avoid a horse trailer theft,” said SEIB schemes technician Kathryn Purcell.

A spokesman for Ecclesiastical said the rise appears to be in thefts by groups who come fully prepared to cut and remove wheel clamps and hitch locks, and “most appear to be at night when there is nobody around”.

“We hope that by releasing these figures it may help prevent trailer thefts going forwards,” said Adam Watts, of Ecclesiastical. “From this information we can see that locks alone do not deter thieves. However, trailer locks used in conjunction with other measures, including keeping trailers in a secure yard and using tagging and tracking technology are proving valuable to our customers.”

One trailer in the Ecclesiastical claims statistics had a tracking device fitted. After being stolen, it was later recovered.

The insurance firms have reminded trailer owners that it is important any security tags they use are registered with an official database.

Mike Bullman, of Safe Security Solutions, offered more security advice.

“We would always firstly advise to hide trailers; ideally they should be kept in a barn,” he said.

“If this isn’t possible a trailer should at least be kept out of the way. As trailers are by nature easily moveable, blocking them in is effective – and making sure wheel and hitch locks are on. It is all about slowing the thieves down.

“Pre-warnings and pre-alerts are invaluable in preventing theft by scaring intruders away from yards, either through the activation of a security light or alarm. The sooner an intruder is detected the better – if the yard has a long driveway, it is always better to be alerted when the intruder is at the entrance at point A. It can be too late by the time they’ve made it into the yard, to points B or C, when the chances of damage to property or theft are increased.”

The Ecclesiastical spokesman added: “I’ve seen a number of the claimants tell the loss adjuster that they have posted on social media sites in order to raise awareness of their own particular theft.

“This can only help to try to recover the trailer so we would encourage this.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The manufacturers of the world’s first 3D-printed horse trailers, which could be on the market next year, say they hope to combat supply, cost and labour issues, while producing vehicles more quickly and accurately.

Double D Trailers, based in North Carolina, US, announced last week it was launching the new product, to a huge response.

“Some people were saying ‘This is fantastic’, others that we’re idiots!” owner Brad Heath told H&H. “But it’s been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re really excited to see where this leads us.”

Mr Heath explained that since a car was fully 3D printed in 2014, the technology has moved forward in leaps and bounds; the aerospace and automotive industries using it in particular.

Some five years ago, he saw Ingersol Machine, a company in Illinois, had made a 3D printed boat.

“It was impressive,” he said. “I reached out to them and they had the largest 3D printer in the world; I think the cost of the equipment was about $3m. The costs were astronomical.”

Since then, knowledge of the best combinations of materials for strength and precision has advanced, Mr Heath said, but also since then, the effects of Covid have made themselves felt.

“The pandemic hit our manufacturing so we’re still 10 months out,” he said. “If you want a new trailer, I can sit and talk to you but I can’t do it for 10 months. Then there are supply chain issues, and inflation – our costs have increased 54% so a trailer than was $100,000 is now $154,000. Plus our unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been for 50 years and business can’t hire people. So when I revisited this about a year ago, I found it solves a lot of the issues we’re facing.”

Mr Heath explained that all the components such as latches, doors and bolts can be printed in house, instead of potentially waiting for weeks for a part to be delivered.

“We’ll print the ‘glass’ from a translucent material that will be strong enough not to break if you hit it with a hammer,” he said. “It’s pretty impressive stuff.”

Double D Trailers has been working with reputed design company One One Labs in Poland, and engineering firm Loci Robotics. Once the designs for the trailer and components have been finalised, these are added to a computer system, and the designs sent to the 3D printers. Pellets of the material used are fed into the printers and melted down, then the part hardens immediately it comes into contact with the air.

“When I first talked to [the companies] they said did I want to weld together a steel chassis and print a box to go on top and I said ‘Heck, no!’” Mr Heath said. “We’ll set up small machines to print the components, and we can print as much detail as we want, down to about 1/32 of an inch, but the main structure will be one print, with no seams, no joints. Then we’ll roll it into another bay, and add the doors, windows and other components.”

These include tyres, wheels and axles, about the only parts Mr Heath said would have to be bought in, which means a smaller carbon footprint but also less margin for error as there are fewer parts to be installed by hand.

Areas of the build that need to be stronger, such as the floor, will be printed at greater thickness. The floor and chassis will be carbon fibre – “one of the strongest, lightest materials available” – and the rest polycarbonate and fibreglass fill.

The plan is to have a small, desktop prototype finished this month, and a full-size prototype this summer, which will be subject to “a tremendous amount of testing”.

“We’ll do our damndest to see what we can break and mess up!” Mr Heath said. “As well as seeing what temperatures it can stand. When we’ve finished, and can back up all our claims, at that point, we’ll be ready to roll up our sleeves and say ‘You want one of these? We’re ready’.”

Mr Heath hopes the first trailers will be on sale in 2024, at a higher price compared to their traditional equivalents; more like $70,000 than $50,000-55,000, but this will depend on the final cost of the exact materials used.

Should a component break, the customer can order a new one to be printed from its specific design, and Mr Heath said in theory, it should be possible to melt down a whole trailer and reprint it.

“Maybe we’ll have a 10-year warranty; if it’s totalled in an accident, for example, we’ll just grind it up and print it again,” he said. “We’ll still be making the traditional ones too; it takes a long time for people’s mentality to change, but we’re excited about where this goes.”

You might also be interested in:

Clydesdale’s canker cured thanks to top farriery – and 3D printed plates

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Baler twine tied to outside of horseboxes – DVSA clarifies the rules

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It’s a terrible experience having anything stolen – but imagine your surprise if you went to hitch up your trailer, only to find thieves had stripped out partitions, breach bars and a spare wheel, but left the box itself behind.

Norfolk Constabulary is appealing for witnesses or information relating to the theft of a trailer’s contents, in Thurning, last Saturday night (14 January).

A spokesman for the force said the stolen items were together worth about £900.

“The incident happened at around 11.30pm on Saturday, 14 January, on Hindolveston Road in Thurning when the interior of an Ifor Williams HB505 horse trailer was stripped and removed,” the spokesman added.

“Contents included four breach bars, a central partition pole, front and rear partition panels, spare wheel, and spare wheel cover. A rear light cover was smashed.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call PC David Greenwood at Norfolk Constabulary on 101, quoting crime reference number 36/4627/23 .

They can also call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

You might also be interested in:

New stickers aim to prevent trailer theft following police crackdown

Trailer theft increase thought linked to towing law change

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Torn between a 4x4 or a pick-up for towing your horse? Motoring expert Graham Courtney has been out testing the latest towing vehicles to help you narrow down your choice

Most of us who want to know which are the best cars for towing a horse trailer, whether you’re thinking of buying new or second hand, also need that car for everyday use, be it on the farm or the school run. With the help of H&H’s motoring expert Graham Courtney, we’ve test driven and reviewed a range of the best vehicles for towing, including 4x4s, pick-ups, estates and family SUVs.

Price and towing ability are key considerations, besides the usefulness of the vehicle for whatever other chores fill our lives. We’ve also ensured that they come with a full list of safety aids and most have four-wheel drive. Plus, we check out all the mod cons to help you navigate narrow lanes and awkward reversing challenges.

Best cars for towing a horse trailer: tested

We’ve grouped all the cars we’ve tested into three categories to help you sift through all the options and narrow down what’s best for you.

• SUVs – sports utility vehicles sit high off the ground and often have four-wheel drive
• Pick-ups – these usually have an open back or ‘bed’, which is ideal for loading up with whatever you need to carry
• Estates – similar to hatchback cars but with an extended rear end that provides additional boot space

Best SUVs for towing

SUVs are the most popular choice for towing thanks to their size and weight giving them a good towing capacity and ability. Many are four-wheel drive, which reduces your chances of getting stuck in the mud, but also allows you to tow greater weights as the power is distributed to all four wheels. Most SUVs have a medium to high towing capacity.

Lexus RX 450h F-Sport

Seats: 5 | Engine: 3456cc (Petrol) | Towing capacity: 2,000kg | Power: 309 bhp | Gearbox: CVT auto | Economy: 35.3mpg | CO2: 178g/km |

The Lexus RX 450h is a large self-charging hybrid 4×4 SUV that is powered by a petrol engine and battery-driven electric motor. It has a premium image and decent towing ability. With a 2,000kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with one 500kg horse and 50kg of kit, with 450kg spare.

Pros:

• Supremely comfortable
• Very well equipped
• Excellent reliability record

Cons:

• Boot could be a bit bigger for this size of car
• Engine can sound odd when power is required
• Co2 levels mean it is less attractive for company car drivers when compared to PHEVs

Verdict: Lexus has been named as the UK’s most reliable car brand in the What Car? 2022 Awards. If you buy new, you can extend the warranty to 100,000 miles or 10 years. The Lexus RX 450h is good to drive, reasonably economical if you’re careful, and well equipped. The all-wheel drive transmission makes towing very assured. If luxurious 4×4 motoring is something you fancy, this is a good place to start.

Read our full Lexus RX F-Sport review.

View used and new now at motorpoint.co.uk or autotrader.co.uk

Mazda CX-5 Sport

Seats: 5 | Engine: 2191cc (Diesel) | Towing capacity: 2,100kg | Power: 181 bhp | Gearbox : 6-speed auto with all-wheel drive | Economy: 42.6mpg |

CO2: 173g/km |

The Mazda Cx-5 is a mid-size SUV is powered by a diesel engine and benefits from all-wheel drive. It has a good towing ability and an excellent level of equipment and safety kit as standard. With a 2,100kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with one 500kg horse and 50kg of kit, with 550kg spare.

Pros:

• Seriously good to drive
• Good reliability and safety record
• Very well equipped when compared with similar options

Cons:

• Diesel engine can sound a bit rough when cold or under acceleration
• Some may feel the ride is a tad firm – I liked it though
• A seven-seater version would have been handy

Verdict: Mazda isn’t a name a lot of people think of when it comes to buying a towing car – it’s a pity as they don’t know what they’re missing. This CX-5 is a typical Mazda in that it’s good to drive, well equipped and has an excellent reliability record. It’s a handsome thing, too. It’s roomy and, thanks to a good towing ability, it will make for a terrific family all-rounder and workhorse. If you can manage a slightly lower towing limit, you can do without the all-wheel drive – and if you’re prepared to ditch some of the goodies, take a look at the entry level SE-L. The petrol engine is smoother and quieter and you’ll save around £7,000, but there’s no reduction in driver appeal.

Read our full Mazda CX-5 Sport review.

View used and new now at motorpoint.co.uk or autotrader.co.uk

Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 PHEV

Seats: 5 | Engine: 1500cc (Petrol) | Towing capacity: 1,800kg | Power: 258 bhp (engine and battery combined) | Gearbox : 7-speed auto | Economy: 134.5mpg (officially) and up to 28 miles on battery power alone | CO2: 49g/km |

The Volvo XC40 is a chunky, roomy, family friendly SUV that has petrol and battery hybrid power. It majors on safety, standard kit and a decent towing limit, making it a great car for towing. With a 1,800kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with one 500kg horse and 50kg of kit, with 250kg spare.

Pros:

• Decent towing ability
• Excellent economy if you can make full use of the hybrid system
• One of the safest cars on our roads

Cons:

• Front wheel drive only
• Not a particularly involving car to drive
• On-board battery soon runs out – you need to recharge regularly

Verdict: This car is safe, well equipped, comfortable, lively and has a decent towing limit. What’s not to love? The Volvo XC40 is at its happiest when either cruising along the motorway or using battery power around town. However, if you regularly do long, fast journeys, your mpg will suffer because you’re carrying around a hefty battery as part of your load. As a day-to day car for work commuting, going to the tip, school run, shopping and weekend towing or an outing to the beach, it’ll be perfect. Make use of the hybrid system and it will also be seriously economical. It’s one of our favourites.

Read our full Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 review.

View used and new now at autotrader.co.uk or motorpoint.co.uk

Dacia Duster Expression dCi

Seats: 5 | Engine: 1461cc (Diesel) | Towing capacity: 1,500kg | Power: 113 bhp | Gearbox: 6-speed manual | Economy: 53.3mpg | CO2: 139g/km |

The Dacia Duster Expression is a value for money SUV with good towing capability. It is surprisingly well equipped and built for the price. The recently updated model looks particularly smart. With a 1,500kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with one 500kg horse, but no kit or extras.

Pros:

• Stunning value for money
• Decent off-road ability
• Surprisingly well kitted out for the price

Cons:

• A bit on the noisy side
• Not a particularly involving car to drive
• Only average performance

Verdict: In terms of a 4×4 SUV, this could very easily rank as one of the best towing vehicles that’s available for the money. Granted, some are better equipped and more lavishly finished off, but the Duster is still smart, relaxing to drive and with a good towing ability. Throw in the fact that it will easily double-up as a Monday to Friday commuter machine, holiday holdall and school shuttle, and it’s easy to understand why the Duster has built a loyal band of followers. As all-rounders go, this Dacia is hard to fault.

Read our full Dacia Duster Expression review.

View used and new now at autotrader.co.uk or motorpoint.co.uk

Volkswagen Touareg SEL Tech 3.0 TDi 4Motion

Seats: 5 | Engine: 2,995 (V6) | Towing capacity: 3,500kg | Power: 228 bhp | Gearbox : 8-speed auto | Economy: 34.6mpg | CO2: 214g/km |

The Volkswagen Touareg has a choice of two V6 3.0 litre diesel engines and a thumping petrol 3.0 litre which develops 335bhp. But for those of us who need a good all-rounder for day-to-day transportation and weekend jaunts with the trailer in tow, I’d be perfectly happy with the entry-level 228bhp diesel. The six-cylinder engine has a lovely grumbly note to it, but when it comes to effortless towing, the VW Touareg is up with the best. Put it this way, it’s easy to forget you’ve got the trailer hooked up. With a 3,500kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with two 500kg horse and 50kg of kit per horse, with 1,400kg spare.

As well as having a luxurious interior with goodies like satnav, DAB radio and heated front seats, it’s also packed with safety kit and driver-assistance aids.

Volkswagen’s “Trailer Assist” is brilliant. It comes as part of an options pack that includes an electronic folding tow bar. The electronic wizardry lets the car control the steering when reversing with a trailer.

All you have to do is fire up the system on the large touchscreen and use the exterior mirror adjuster to load your trailer angle and the reversing route you’d like to follow. Hit “Set” and gently reverse. The car will steer for you.

“Lane assist” will stop you wandering and “Front assist” will apply the brakes if the car spots a hazard. In a nutshell, the Volkswagen Touareg makes towing a trailer an absolute doddle.

View used and new now at autotrader.co.uk or motorpoint.co.uk

Land Rover Defender 110 240PS SE

Seats: 5, 6 or 7 | Engine: 1,999cc | Towing Capacity: 3,500kg | Power: 237 bhp | Gearbox : 8-speed auto | Economy: 31.2mpg | CO2: 237g/km |

The Land Rover Defender is an icon. With a 3,500kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with two 500kg horse and 50kg of kit per horse, with 1,400kg spare.

If you need to head off the tarmac into the rough and soggy stuff, none comes better. However, most Defenders will spend some of their life trundling through town traffic, negotiating country lanes and being a general workhorse. It is available in either a three- (short wheelbase) or five-door (long wheelbase) guise. All-wheel drive is standard, naturally. For those who need space rather than seats, there is a hard-top version. I prefer the five-door Defender 110 with its six interior seats.

You can get an accessory to match almost every lifestyle. There are approaching 200 options. There are four engine choices… I’d recommend the 2.0 litre diesel. There are also 2.0 litre and 3.0 litre petrol engines.

Air suspension comes as standard on the 110, as does a 3D surround camera, 360-degree parking aid, satnav, air con and a host of driving-assistance gadgets.

You can also get “Advanced tow assist”, which allows you to reverse a trailer while the Defender takes care of the counter steering.

The new Defender is a revelation. It manages to stay faithful to the previous model, but is now very much 21st century. It merges city chic with the ability to get down and get dirty. It will still shrug off the worst that the British weather can throw at it and go places where a mountain goat would think twice; however, it will look equally at home outside your favourite restaurant.

View used and new now at autotrader.co.uk

Best pick-ups for towing

If you need to tow a heavy weight but don’t have the budget for an SUV, a pick-up could be a great option. These workhorses are usually good value – especially if you’re able to purchase it as a commercial vehicle – and most have a towing capacity of 3,500kg.

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Seats: 5 | Engine: 1898cc (Diesel) | Towing capacity: 3,500kg | Power: 162 bhp | Gearbox : 6-speed auto with all-wheel drive | Economy: 33.6mpg | CO2: 220g/km |

Th Isuzu D-Max is a tough, uncompromising, all-wheel drive pick-up that has brilliant towing ability, making it one to consider when looking into the best towing vehicles. It’s surprisingly good to drive, with a decent level of equipment as standard, and feels safe, too. With a 3,500kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with two 500kg horse and 50kg of kit per horse, with 1,400kg spare.

Pros:

• Great towing ability
• All-wheel drive and a strong diesel engine.
• Masses of space for passengers and baggage/kit

Cons:

• Think carefully about ditching the ‘normal’ car
• Need to buy a load-area cover for security
• You climb into a pick-up – make sure you’re okay with that

Verdict: UK sales of pick-ups are rising, while a pick-up has been the top selling vehicle in the US for more than 30 years. As vehicles like the Isuzu D-Max become less workhorse focussed and more family and commuter friendly, they are starting to find buyers who simply like the look and versatility of a pick-up.

The cabins are more car-like and the ride is now forgiving rather than firm. There’s also a marked step-up in the interior quality. Yes, this D-Max will do a stunning job as a towing vehicle, but it will also be a great alternative to anyone who is fancying a change from their normal car. No wonder sales are on the up.

Read our full Isuzu D-Max V-Cross review.

View used and new now at autotrader.co.uk

SsangYong Musso Rhino LWB

Seats: 5 | Engine: 2,157cc | Towing Capacity: 3,500kg | Power: 179 bhp | Gearbox : 6-speed auto | Economy: 31.4mpg | CO2: 235g/km |

This is incredibly good value for a big, versatile and spacious pick-up – and if you’re VAT registered you can pick it up at less expense. With a 3,500kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, with two 500kg horse and 50kg of kit per horse, with 1,400kg spare.

SsangYong thrives on no-nonsense vehicles and the Musso is one of their best – and it comes with a terrific seven-year/150,000-mile warranty.

If carrying capacity is vital to you, then how does this grab you? Go for the automatic gearbox and your Musso can tow 3,500kg and carry 1,140kg at the same time. It has selectable all-wheel drive and with the model we chose, the Rhino LWB, you get the longest load bed of any UK pick-up: 1.61 metres.

You’ll also find satnav, air con, heated steering wheel, powered leather seats which are heated and ventilated for those up front, cruise control, wiper de-icer, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, DAB radio and so on.

In other words, don’t be fooled by the price; the SsangYong Musso is tough, up to the job, laden with kit and amazing value. This is a serious workhorse and, bearing in mind the warranty that SsangYong include as standard, it will make a lot of people think about ditching their “normal” everyday wheels and going for a pick-up.

View used and new now at autotrader.co.uk

Best estates for towing

Estates make for great family cars as there’s usually plenty of boot space to throw in suitcases for holidays, school kit, horse feed and bedding – plus they’re usually pretty economical compared to much of the competition. In general, estates tend to have lower towing capacities, but if you’ve only got one small pony that needs taking to Pony Club rallies, then an estate car might be all you need.

Škoda Octavia Estate SE L 2.0 TDi 

Seats: Five | Engine: 1968cc (Diesel) | Towing capacity: 1,600kg | Power: 148 bhp | Gearbox: DSG auto | Economy: 63.2mpg | CO2: 117g/km |

The spacious Škoda Octavia estate car won the 2021 Auto Express magazine Estate Car of the Year title. The boot area is sizeable and, if you drop the rear seats into the floor, you end up with a truly enormous load space, which is ideal for loading up bedding and feed. With a 1,600kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, a 500kg horse and 50kg of kit, with 50kg spare.

Pros:

• Huge boot
• Good to drive
• Comfortable
• In SE L trim, it’s well equipped
• Punchy engine

Cons:

• Could be a bit more exciting to drive
• The touch-screen that controls climate and fan speed is fiddly
• Not cheap to buy, but the level of standard equipment sort of compensates

Verdict: The Škoda Octavia is good to drive, economical, well equipped and with a vast load area. The all-wheel drive model will tow 2,000kg, but even the slightly cheaper version shown here is an extremely capable towing vehicle. It’s a terrific all-rounder.

Read our full Skoda Octavia Estate review.

View used and new now at motorpoint.co.uk or autotrader.co.uk

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake

Seats: 5 | Engine: 2199cc (Diesel) | Towing capacity: 1,500kg | Power: 197 bhp (engine and battery combined) | Gearbox : 8-speed auto – rear-wheel drive | Economy: 41.8mpg (officially) | CO2: 175g/km |

This smart coupé style estate is from a new brand name in the UK. The Genesis G70 is a really a posh Hyundai with good low-end power from a sizeable diesel engine. Bet you haven’t seen one. With a 1,500kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, a 500kg horse but no additional kit.

Pros:

• It’s different and looks really smart
• Good value for a premium car
• Five-year unlimited mileage warranty

Cons:

• Rear wheel drive only
• Limited engine choice
• Low-ish towing limit

Verdict: “We’ve included the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake in our round-up of the cars for towing horses for the simple reason that it’s different. Yes, it will do the job of towing a horse box as well as working really well as a day-to-day commuter/school run shuttle or holiday transportation, but it also gives you the option of having a car that encourages people to ask “What is it?” It tends to be more of a family car that will tow, rather than a workhorse that suits for the Monday–Friday routine, but it you are looking for an alternative model that has a premium feel and, because it’s from the Hyundai stable, should be very reliable, it’s certainly worth considering. Good value, too.”

Read our full Genesis G70 Shooting Brake review.

BMW 320d xDrive M Sport Plus Edition Touring

Seats: 5 | Engine: 1,995cc | Towing Capacity: 1,800kg | Power: 187 bhp | Gearbox : 8-speed auto | Economy: 54.3mpg | CO2: 145g/km |

If you fancy all-wheel drive in a premium estate, they don’t come any better than the BMW Touring xDrive models. There’s a decent range of petrol and diesel engines, but arguably the best all-rounder for those of us who need to tow a trailer is the 2.0 litre diesel unit. With a 1,800kg towing capacity, it can tow a 1,000kg trailer, a 500kg horse and 50kg of kit, with 250kg spare.

The BMW Touring isn’t the lightest car in its class, but you still get really good performance and excellent economy. You’ll crack 50mpg without too much trouble in general day-to-day motoring.

The version tested is a fully loaded car, but if you don’t need 4×4 transmission and opt for an economical petrol engine instead, you can lop around £10k off the price shown here. If you prefer the sound, economy and performance you’d get from a six-cylinder diesel engine, head for the 330d xDrive Touring. It’s one of the finest estate cars ever built and, if you don’t go for a loaded model like this one (the options came to over £5k), the price is almost identical.

The BMW 3 Series has been a hugely successful car for the simple reason that it is wonderful to drive, well equipped and, if you avoid diving too deeply into the options list, it is actually decent value. Throw in the fact that it looks really smart (I prefer the Touring’s looks to the saloon) – and it’s easy to see why it is so popular. Add into the equation that it is also great for towing a trailer and you end up with a versatile winner.

View used and new now at autotrader.co.uk or motorpoint.co.uk

What is the best car for towing a horse trailer?

The answer to this is different for every driver. If you have two horses that you take hunting or competing regularly, you’ll have a very different requirement to someone who is taking a 13hh pony to Pony Club rallies at the weekend and needs to use the same car for the school run midweek.

It also depends on what trailer you have and how heavy it is. Many car/trailer combinations are only suitable for towing one horse – but if you only have one horse and the car in question needs to double up for the daily commute and family holidays, then it might still be the best car for you. For this reason, we’ve included a wide range of cars in this guide – all of which can safely tow at least one small horse in a standard trailer.

Check out our guide to the best horse trailers to see some of the options available.

How much towing capacity do I need?

All cars have a maximum recommended towing weight. It’s important that the weight of the trailer and its load does not exceed this as you’ll be putting yourself, passengers, the horses and other road users at risk. You are also at risk of prosecution for driving with a dangerous load.

To work out how much capacity your new car will need, you first need to find out the unladen weight of your trailer. Add on the weight of your horse (or horses), the tack, any food or hay, water, rugs and boots (the ones for travel and riding), plus anything else you might put in your trailer.

Unladen weight of trailer + weight of horse + weight of kit = The minimum towing capacity you require

If your trailer has an unladen (empty) weight of 850kg, and your horse is 500kg, once you add 30–50kg to cover kit, you’ll need a car with a capacity of at least 1,400kg. If your trailer or horse is heavier, or you add another horse and therefore also have to double the kit allowance, this adds up quickly.

For example, a 1,000kg trailer, with two 500kg horses, plus 50kg of kit per horse, would require a minimum 2,100kg towing capacity.

Learn more about legal towing limits for horse trailers.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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The DVSA has reminded horsebox drivers of when an operator licence is required for transporting horses.

A DVSA spokesman said examiners recently spoke to 20 horsebox owners at Hickstead and were “delighted” to find almost all the vehicles were well maintained, and drivers’ hours rules were being followed.

But a reminder was issued about when an operator licence is required for transporting horses. This applies when a horsebox owner driver is paid money (directly or indirectly) to transport horses or uses the horsebox for a “professional activity”. Even if a horsebox is only used for commercial purposes for a short period such as one day, an operator licence is still required.

“You might not charge somebody directly for transporting a horse but if you charge them for livery or training and offer transport as part of the service, that is considered ‘commercial use’ and you would need an ‘hire and reward’ operator licence if the vehicle or vehicle and trailer combination is over 3,500 kg,” said the spokesman.

The DVSA also states that drivers who receive payment “such as prize money as a result of transporting horses” must also have an operator licence. A spokesman told H&H at roadside checks DVSA examiners are trying to determine whether there is a “professional interest affiliated with the transaction”.

The DVSA spokesman explained: “What they are trying to assess at the roadside is, whether there is a business involved, and if this is a money-making venture – or someone who has a pastime and wants to compete with their horse in their spare time.”

The DVSA also confirmed to H&H that if an individual competes “as a hobby” and won prize money, they would not be deemed as operating as a business or for “hire and reward”.

“These individuals would be exempt, particularly if they were employed elsewhere and riding was a weekend leisure activity,” said the spokesman.

The type of operator licence needed depends on the vehicle, where it is used and who the horses belong to. A restricted licence applies for those who have a horsebox or vehicle towing a trailer, which has a maximum authorised mass of over 3,500kg and are transporting their own horses for commercial purposes. If they do not own the horses they are transporting, a standard national operator’s licence is needed for UK-based journeys. For non-UK journeys, a standard international operator’s licence is required.

Penalties for transporting a horse without the necessary operator licence include the vehicle being impounded – and scrapped after 21 days – unless an appeal is launched to the local traffic commissioner. Operators can also be fined up to £5,000.

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Horseboxes are not being stopped on the roadside specifically for travelling with baler twine attached to the outside, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed.

H&H asked the DVSA for clarification after a post on social media mentioned that horseboxes were being checked near Hickstead and that a driver had been told to remove string attached to the outside of their vehicle, as it could be a danger to cyclists.

The DVSA and police have the power to carry out roadside spot checks on vehicles and issue prohibitions – which prevent someone from driving a vehicle until the problem is fixed – or fixed penalties. Roadside checks can include ensuring a vehicle is roadworthy, including checking lights, tyres, trailer couplings, and wheel fixings. An officer can also check tachograph records and that the driver has the correct occupational driving licence, and operator licence, if necessary. For some offences, a driver can be fined between £50 and £300, receive points on their licence, or taken to court.

A DVSA spokesman told H&H there is nothing set out in legislation on baler twine or string attached to a horsebox.

“It’s not something we are actively targeting. If it was a couple of centimetres and doesn’t cause any danger then they wouldn’t be asked to remove it,” said the spokesman.

“It comes down to the risk identified by a vehicle examiner. It would be purely if we identified an immediate risk to road safety. If an examiner encountered a horsebox with a bit of string that was too long that could potentially whip round and cause a risk to any kind of vulnerable road user then we would ask them to remove it, but outside of that there is nothing fixed in terms of our enforcement policy.”

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A para dressage horse escaped serious injury after a “freak accident” while in transit resulted in him being cut out of his trailer by firefighters.

Grade II para dressage rider Julie Payne was travelling home from the Hartpury International (4-7 July) with nine-year-old gelding Divinity, who is known at home as Leo, when she felt her horsebox start to swing on the A40.

Julie, who competed at the 2017 European Para Dressage Championships, told H&H: “Leo is normally such a good traveller, you don’t even know he’s in the box. The only time you ever feel him is if he moves to wee.

“We came round a roundabout and felt the box move so assumed he was having a wee. But then it happened again and the box started swaying in all directions.”

Julie stopped in a lay-by and discovered Leo had got his front legs over the breast bar of the rear-facing trailer.

“The trailer has tack lockers on the outside which form a box in front of the bar so I didn’t think there was any way for a horse to get their legs over,” she said.

“We couldn’t take the side ramp down because it opens onto the road and Leo was struggling to free himself so we had to phone the police, fire brigade and vet for help.”

During the struggle Leo managed to catch his shoes on his haynet and pushed his hooves through the top of the tack locker. When help arrived the police shut the dual carriageway in both directions, Leo was sedated and a crew from Witney fire station assessed the situation.

“Leo had started to overheat, but we had to wait for a specialist animal rescue unit to arrive from Kidlington before we could get him out,” said Julie. “All of a sudden he struggled again, tried to tip onto his side and it took the vet and two firemen to hold him up. The way one of his legs was stuck, if he’d have gone over he would have broken it.”

The fire crews dismantled the box and freed Leo, and after an assessment from the vet it was agreed he was well enough to be taken home.

“A friend collected him and took him back to my yard 15 minutes away. He had scrapes to his legs and was given antibiotics and painkillers. Really he was lucky not to have broken both front legs, but he came sound three days later,” said Julie.

“The fire crew and my vet, Charlotte Couth, from Bourton Vale Equine Clinic were absolutely fantastic. We think it was entirely a freak accident – he usually travels so well and we can’t think what made him do it. He’s such a big horse at more than 17hh and we didn’t think it was even possible. Charlotte suggested maybe he got bitten or stung by something – we just don’t know.”

Julie has had her box repaired and a higher bar has been installed as a “precaution”.

“Leo is still having physio and chiropractic treatment for soft tissue damage, but he is getting there and the plan is to start building him back up. Next week’s plan is to see how he gets on going back in the box, and I hope we’ll be out competing again soon,” she said.

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If you need to take your horse out and about – whether that’s for competitions and training, a change of scenery for a relaxing ride, or an essential trip to the vets – there are a lot of options available. But should you hire or buy? And do you need a trailer or lorry? There’s a lot to think about when you are considering the pros and cons of owning versus hiring horse transport.

Cost is one of the main considerations as buying a horse lorry in particular is clearly a huge investment, but it’s not just the initial cost that needs to be taken into consideration, maintenance can be a huge factor.

Claire Dolby from Atacanter offers horsebox hire and sales, and says this is one of the main benefits of hiring a horsebox.

“When you hire, you know exactly how much you’re paying, there are no hidden costs and there’s no maintenance connected to it either,” she says.

John Barlow from Barlow Trailers sells and hires horseboxes and trailers and agrees about the maintenance side: “Our vehicles get a 60-point inspection each and every time they go out, and our 7.5 tonne horseboxes are looked after like commercial vehicles. Horseboxes aren’t turnkey solutions. They need to be looked after to keep them safe, prevent breakdowns, and keep them in good condition.”

Tom Janion, managing director of Equi-Trek and Hire-Trek, agrees that maintenance is a significant factor in owning a horsebox, and this is why long-term hire is a growing sector for his company.

“We are now seeing a growing trend for long-term hire as an alternative to purchasing as it allows you to enjoy a new vehicle or trailer without the worry of depreciation or the cost of servicing and MOTS,” he explains.

But, of course, there are downsides to hiring, the main one being that the horse lorry or trailer you want might not be available when you want it, and the time involved in picking up and returning a vehicle or trailer might be significant.

Katie Lewis participates in Concours d’Elegance and veteran showing.

“Our experience of hiring a trailer was good,” says Katie. “The main issue was if I wanted the trailer on a Sunday, I would need to pay for full weekend hire as collection had to be Friday with it being returned on the Monday as the company I used did not open weekends. Weekend hire was a lot more than just a day’s hire.”

Owning a horsebox or trailer removes the issues of availability, but it is not without downsides. There’s the initial cost, finance and maintenance connected, but it has many perks, if you have the budget and storage.

“The convenience factor is a big one with owning a horsebox, and not just in terms of when you want to use it, but the facilities it has too. There’s far more flexibility in terms of design, living, etc, which, if you’re spending a lot of time in the horsebox is really important as it can completely change the experience of a long season,” says Claire.

It’s not just the vehicle that can be hired when it comes to horseboxes, as Ruth Chappell, who owns two horses and is based in Hampshire explains.

“My horse, Geoffrey, needed to go to Rossdales in Newmarket for tests,” she says. “I didn’t have a trailer at that time, so I opted to hire someone with a lorry who could do the whole thing for me. I couldn’t get the time off work, so it was really important to me – a freelance groom at the yard very kindly went with Geoffrey to make sure he had a friendly face.”

Ruby Pepper Butchers has an ex-racehorse who competes in dressage. She has hired both self drive and lorries with drivers and found the latter particularly useful when competing on her own.

“I have hired lorries and trailers with drivers before, especially when I was younger,” says Ruby. “It was great having one less thing to worry about with the driving being done for me. I also didn’t have to find a friend to come with me as an extra pair of hands as the driver was able to do this.”

Another reason to hire could be to try before you buy.

Ally Kelly is a keen amateur rider and blogger. She shows and competes in dressage competitions and she opted to hire a trailer on a long-term basis.

“We’d never had a trailer before, so we hired one for six months before we bought,” says Ally. “It was nice to get mine and my mum’s confidence before buying our own. We hired an Ifor Williams 506 which we felt was a bit small for Mags so when we purchased one we went for the Ifor Williams 511 so he has more room – it was great to be able to try before we bought.”

Another angle to consider with hiring is that you’re not ‘stuck’ with one type of vehicle.

“We have clients who hire different horseboxes or trailers depending on what they’re doing,” says John. “If you’re heading out with friends you might need a bigger lorry. If you’re staying away at a championship, you might want one with a big living area. Or if you’re heading on a long journey to the vets, then you might want a smaller lorry. You can do this when you hire, you can’t when you buy.”

Short-term or day hires are popular with amateur riders, and longer term hires are something that many professional riders consider during particularly busy seasons, to work alongside an owned lorry.

“The longer you hire a horsebox for, the cheaper the day rate becomes,” says Claire from Atacanter. “And it can also help to reduce costs if a professional rider doesn’t need another horsebox all the time, but doesn’t want to hire a transporter and is keen to use members of staff who can drive the horsebox too.”

Tom from Equi-Trek says Hire-Trek offer three different hire options: short, mid-term and long.

“Mid-term, which is anything from two months to 11 months, is very popular for people who don’t want to commit to owning a vehicle and is usually used for the season with six months from March to September being the most popular option,” he says. “We do long-term hire, which is 12 months to 36 months, and is very similar to contract hire with a car, where you never own the vehicle but have a fixed low monthly payment, which includes all the maintenance, warranty and running costs. This is our fastest growing market due to the security it gives people. It also doesn’t get registered on someone’s credit record so has much less of an effect on what they can borrow compared to a finance option.”

Companies will differ in their hiring process, but don’t be surprised if you need to supply ID, driving license and DVLA code, as the latter allows the company to check the details of your license (and what you’re able to drive) as well as the points you may or may not have.

“You can ask to see the MOT and the insurance documents when you hire,” says Claire. “We have self-drive insurance, which is the correct type, but there aren’t many companies that supply this type of insurance and it’s very expensive, so some hire companies may not have it. Do your research.”

When it comes to hiring horseboxes or trailers, John says that reviews from other customers can be very useful, and having a good look around and even filming the condition of the horsebox or trailer before it leaves the showroom can be wise.

“Check your position on the insurance provisions and if the company offers Collision Damage Waiver, take it. Look at the age of the vehicle too. If you’re hiring, expect to have a fairly new vehicle.”

“Make sure you choose a reputable company that has a wealth of experience so that you can discuss your requirements and ensure they are met by purchasing or hiring the right horsebox or trailer for you,” says Tom. “A reputable company will also provide insurance. Unless it is a proper hire company then you will most likely be uninsured and would have a serious issue if stopped by the police or even worse had an accident.

“Also, the safety of the vehicle is a key issue – you don’t want to be hiring an old vehicle and have problems while you are away. Finally, you need to check there is breakdown cover and horse recovery included, just in case the worst happened. Hire-Trek use vehicles that are less than three years old and they come with full equine rescue – it may be a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for!”

Money comes up a lot when horse transportation is mentioned, and it’s easy to see why with small horseboxes having the potential to cost over £40,000, but as John explains, there might be ways to manage this cost.

“A lot of our hires are to people who have bought horseboxes that are not satisfactory and are failing for a variety of reasons. We hear of people who have invested a significant amount of money and have a lovely looking box that has been built on old chassis, which has the potential to make it less reliable,” he says. “Horseboxes are expensive, but if you view it as a longer term cost, look to part exchange it regularly to keep the money in the vehicle and ensure you have something safe to drive, there are ways to manage it.”

You might also be interested in:

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Put your mind at rest before setting out on a journey with your pride and joy stowed in the back with PRP Rescue Services’ top tips

External trailer checks

• Walk around the trailer and check the general condition for any damage or signs of wear and tear, such as rust or holes in the metalwork.
• Test that the handbrake works correctly, and check that the reflectors on the side of the trailer are clean, secure and in good working order. They are there for other vehicles to see you, so it’s important they are clean and visible.
• Make sure the number plate is the same as the vehicle towing the trailer, and is visible and securely fixed on the back of the trailer. You can use trailer boards (plain boards that have electrics and lights that you can write your car’s number plate on).

Internal trailer checks

• Before loading your horse into the trailer, it’s important to run through a number of basic checks a few days before you are due to travel, to ensure it is safe to use, particularly if it hasn’t been used recently.
• Start by lifting the rubber matting and checking that the floor is sound, rot-free (in the case of wooden floors) and dry. Always muck out the trailer after each use and ensure the floor is fully dry before closing up the doors.
• Check that the ramp, doors, hinges and fastenings are in working order and inspect the roof carefully for any signs of leaking.
• Thoroughly check that partitions and breast bars are in good working order and fastened securely.

The electrics

• Make sure all the electrical connections are secure and in good working order (no frayed wires or loose connections). Get a friend to stand behind the trailer and check that the brake lights, sidelights and indicators are working. Look out for cracks or breaks in the light lenses that could let water in and affect the electrics.

The tyres

• Check the pressure for each tyre (the correct levels can be found in your trailer handbook) and inspect each one for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, bulges and splits in the rubber. The tyre treads should be no less than 1.6mm deep.
• It’s also vital to check the exterior spare wheel. Remove the cover and check it is secure and in good working order. It should have plenty of tread, not have any cracks and be inflated.

Coupling up

• When coupling up, check that the brake is off, the jockey wheel is raised securely and the breakaway cable is correctly attached. Some people put the breakaway cable over the towball, but this is illegal and incorrect. If the towball snaps off, the cable goes with it. There should be an attachment point that is separate from the towball but on the same piece of metal; you need to pass the breakaway cable through that, and clip it back on to itself.

The towing vehicle

• Check the towing vehicle — are there correct levels of oil, water and windscreen washer fluid? Is the tyre pressure correct, and the vehicle in good working order? Are your mirrors wide enough that you can see around the trailer? And check your weights — the combined weight of your horse, trailer and kit should not exceed the safe towing limit for your vehicle. This can be found in your vehicle’s handbook.

Don’t leave home without…

1. A fully charged mobile phone with breakdown cover details, insurance details and emergency contacts stored in case of emergency. A hands-free kit will enable you to use the phone safely on the move.

2. Up-to-date breakdown cover and rescue scheme membership for your car and trailer. Don’t rely on your car breakdown cover, as although they can recover your car and trailer, they can’t do anything with your horse.

3. Your horse’s passport. It is illegal to travel a horse without a passport, and if your horse needs recovering, the transport company cannot travel him without a passport by law.

4. A hi-vis jacket, torch and warning triangle (to be set at least 50m behind your vehicle) will help you be seen by other road users, especially in poor light.

5. Blankets, water and a snack.

6. A human and horse first-aid kit.

7. A toolkit for performing tyre changes and general repairs, and a fire extinguisher in the case of a fire.

8. A wheel clamp in case you need to leave your trailer at the roadside.

With thanks to the late Jon Phillips for his assistance with this article.

You may also enjoy reading…

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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A police force is cracking down on horse trailer theft with a new initiative to deter criminals.

Nottinghamshire Police is providing “tamper-proof” stickers, which can be placed on the side of trailers. The stickers are designed to help highlight when a theft might be taking place as they say “Police – stop if seen moving between 10pm and 5am”.

“As legitimate users of the boxes typically only use the trailers to transport horses and livestock during the day, seeing them being moved at night can be deemed suspicious,” said a police spokesman.

Chief inspector Heather Maelor, the force’s rural crime lead, said Nottinghamshire Police has received several reports of this type of theft taking place as supply issues make trailers “very sought after”.

“This has been recognised as an issue across the region, so our officers have been making extra efforts to combat this theft trend and deter criminals. As part of this, we’ve introduced the stickers, which can then be placed on horseboxes and are difficult for offenders to take off quickly,” she said.

“We know that most of these offences take place overnight, at a time when these trailers aren’t typically in use, so they can offer a simple but effective way of alerting officers and the wider public that a crime is taking place.”

The spokesman added this was “just one of many” tactics Nottinghamshire Police is using to combat rural crime, with a “string of enforcement activity” that has resulted in the recovery of stolen trailers and subsequent criminal investigations. Officers have been visiting farms to hand out the stickers and offer security advice.

“We know that theft of trailers is a serious issue for members of the rural community that can impact livelihoods, so we have redoubled our efforts to do whatever we can to crackdown on this type of offending,” said Ms Maelor.

“As part of this, we have also relaunched the Nottinghamshire Police Horse Watch page on Facebook, where the public can get advice and support. It’s important that anyone who spots any suspicious activity, relating to horsebox thefts or other rural crime matters, reports it to the police straight away. We’d much rather come out and find that it’s nothing to worry about than not be there at the time.”

Nottinghamshire police and crime commissioner Caroline Henry said the force hopes to deter criminals from stealing horseboxes in the first place as part of efforts to tackle rural and wildlife crime.

“Part of our response is seeking to address the concerns that rural communities tell us about, which recently was concerns over a spate of horse box thefts,” she said.

“These stickers are a direct response to these concerns and demonstrate how we are continuing to listen and respond to residents’ concerns.”

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The owner of a trailer that came loose when her towbar came off her new second-hand car at about 50mph has shared her story in hope it will prevent others suffering a similar experience

Georgia Rodway was taking her horse Flight and Alfie, who belongs to a friend, to cross-country schooling last Sunday (1 May) when the incident happened.

She told H&H she had only owned the Land Rover Discovery for a week but had taken it to a garage for a full safety check before she towed with it, spending over £2,000 to ensure it was safe.

“It was driving as smooth as a nut but when we were about halfway there, I heard an almighty bang and could see the trailer snaking, and tipping from one side to the other,” she said.

“I instinctively took my foot off the accelerator to try to slow down — it felt like it all happened slowly, but of course it was really fast — then the trailer came to a stop because the breakaway cable had pulled the handbrake on. It turned out the towbar had completely come off the car.”

Georgia’s partner has a van with a towbar so was able to take the horses home.

“The breakaway cable saved their lives,” Georgia said.

“I had to do the towing test and I remember from the training the importance of the breakaway cable. You see people just looping the cable over the towbar but I always clipped it on [to the chasis], and I’m bloody glad I did.”

Georgia has since found out there were some issues relating to the operator use and storage of the towbar on this vehicle; a letter was sent to registered keepers in 2014 offering a reminder of the usage instructions in the vehicle handbook and a free check, and repair if necessary, but as she had only just bought the car, she was unaware of this.

“This was my worst nightmare,” she said. “We were very lucky no one was coming the other way as we ended up in the middle of the road. At one point, the trailer was next to the car as it was snaking so badly and if it hadn’t been for the cable, the trailer would have been down a cliff. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Georgia wanted to share her story to help others.

“I didn’t know it was a detachable towbar but this was a faulty one, it shouldn’t have been able to do that,” she said. “I wanted to share this for educational purposes as I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. Next time, someone else might not be as fortunate.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The owner of a trailer that was stolen nearly 19 years ago was stunned to get a message from police to say it had been recovered, in good condition.

Equine massage therapist Elisa Faima’s Ifor Williams 505R was not insured when it was taken from a livery yard in 2003, so she had resigned herself to the loss.

She told H&H she bought the burgundy trailer in 2001 and initially kept it in a field where she kept her horses, in Chertsey, but after rugs were stolen from her horses’ backs, she moved it to a yard in Chobham.

“In April 2003, I got a call from the yard to say ‘You haven’t got your trailer, have you?’” she said.

“The thieves had tried to take a newer one but couldn’t move it and mine was the next newest so they took that. I phoned police, and Ifor Williams to register it was stolen, and that was the last I heard.”

Then, this January, Elisa had an email from Surrey Police.

“They said ‘Sorry to message out of the blue’ and had I owned a trailer,” she said. “I initially thought it was a scam or something dodgy, but they were trying to work out who owned it because if the insurance company had paid out, it would belong to them, and I said no it wasn’t insured, so it’s still mine, and he said ‘We’ve found it, you can have it back’ and I thought ‘Brilliant!’”

Elisa had to pay £280 to get the trailer back; £200 to those who had collected it from where it was initially found and £20 per day storage after that.

“They start a new day at noon and we got there at 1.30pm so that was an extra £20!” she said. “We got there and they went to collect it and when it turned up, I was nearly in tears. When I bought it, I had a horse called Zebedee who I’d done so much with in it. I lost him six years ago so there were lots of memories.”

Elisa said the trailer is now 25 years old but it is “still in really good condition”.

“It’s missing the middle partition and the spare wheel,” she said. “It’s had a new floor, although I’m not sure how much I trust it, but it’s all stuff we can easily do and it’s worth the money to do it.”

Elisa had been managing by borrowing trailers, and at one point owning an older 7.5t lorry but after a riding accident in which she “nearly lost my leg twice — I’m a disaster!” the lorry clutch became too heavy so she retired it.

If all now goes according to plan, she will get the trailer back on the road, and travel her two former racehorses in it.

“It’s so weird,” she said, “I’d had an extra front mirror on it that was a birthday present, and it had a small crack in the mudguard, and we always looked out for them [over the years]. And for some reason, I’d kept the logbook, so maybe I’d thought one day it would be returned!

“It was because I’d registered it as stolen with Ifor Williams, so that’s definitely worth doing, but I just can’t stop laughing; after 19 years, you don’t expect to see your stolen trailer again.”

Surrey Police’s Detective Constable Alex Boxall told H&H: “We’re delighted to have been able to return this horsebox nearly 20 years after it was reported stolen.

“The vehicle was recovered after officers carried out a series of proactive warrants across Surrey and Hampshire on 14 December. Seven people were charged with drug supply offences and we recovered multiple cars, along with the horsebox.”

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Trailer theft increase thought linked to towing law change

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CHANGES to towing rules are thought to be behind an increase in trailer thefts, as police and insurers urge owners to take precautions.

The car and trailer towing test was scrapped last year as part of Government plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage crisis, so since December, most drivers have been legally able to tow a horse trailer without taking an extra test.

Leicestershire Police and SEIB Insurance Brokers are two organisations that have told H&H of increased numbers of trailer thefts since the law came into force.

A police spokesman told H&H the issue is not just a local one, and that many trailers are being stolen overnight from isolated, rural locations. Owners are also reminded that any delay in reporting a theft to police can cause issues.

Lucie Pritchard’s Ifor Williams 506 was stolen from a livery yard in Nottinghamshire last month. Lucie believes the increase in thefts is linked to the law change.

“It’s too much of a coincidence otherwise; there’s much more demand now and prices have shot up,” she told H&H. “I’ve since upgraded my trailer, and I got £1,000 more than I’d paid for it 11 months before.”

Lucie has urged others to check their insurance policies to ensure their trailer locks meet the appropriate specification, and to consider a tracker — hers meant her trailer was recovered within 24 hours.

“It changes your mentality from ‘My trailer’s been stolen and there’s nothing I can do’ to ‘My trailer’s been stolen, let’s go and find it’,” she said. “The tracker made life a lot easier, and meant the police were more likely to make an effort as there was more chance of recovery.”

“Also to consider is that I had everything on it; hitch lock, wheel lock, postcode on the roof, but the insurers said they may not have paid out as they weren’t approved brands,” Lucie added. “I’ve bought others now, for £600. I’d also only insured it for £4,000 but its value had gone up, and if they had paid out, it might not have been its full worth, so it’s worth getting a valuation.”

Treve Jenkyn, data protection officer at trailer and plant checking company The Equipment Register, said people often park trailers at livery yards, and do not always notice straight away if they are stolen.

“A horse trailer that has been gone for several days could have been sold on, sometimes even twice, before it is reported as stolen,” he said.

SEIB deputy chairman Barry Fehler said: “If a trailer is purchased that is later identified as stolen, the purchaser is liable to return the trailer to its rightful owner. We work closely with police and theft tracking companies and the information they hold on stolen trailers. By reporting the theft of a trailer quickly, it dramatically increases the chance of it being successfully returned to its rightful owner. Having the correct insurance provides peace of mind for our customers.”

Leicestershire Police advised owners to hide trailers from view, block them in if possible, use appropriate locks, and consider postcode-marking panels. Owners should also note the model and serial numbers, keep photos of the trailer, and pass all the above details to police if reporting a theft.

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The Government hopes a new voluntary trailer-training accreditation scheme will help promote safer towing.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced it is working with the driver-training and trailer industries to develop the scheme, which aims to “provide motorists with the skills, knowledge and competencies to tow safely”.

There has been widespread concern over road safety since the Government announced last year the trailer test was to be scrapped, and for the future of driver-training businesses, as well as animal welfare.

But the DVSA said this week the Government is “committed to road safety and encouraging drivers who tow for business or leisure to get professional training before towing or to refresh their towing skills”. The scheme, which is due to launch next month, will provide core training for all drivers, and specific modules for different types of towing.

The DVSA and Department for Transport have worked with the trailer-training industry to form the National Council for Accredited Trailer Training to “oversee the scheme and set good towing practice”.

DVSA chief driving examiner Mark Winn said: “We’re strongly encouraging drivers wishing to tow for business or leisure to seek professional training before they start towing or if they need to refresh their towing skills.

“The trailer-training accreditation scheme will help ensure they have the right skills, knowledge and competencies to tow a trailer or caravan safely.”

The DVSA is also working with trailer and training organisations that have expressed interest in being accrediting bodies. These will accredit trainers and run the scheme, and an announcement will be made on this in the near future.

The Government has advice on safe towing on its website.

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The car and trailer towing test has been scrapped as part of Government plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage crisis, meaning most drivers can now tow a horse trailer without taking an extra test under the new trailer towing law.

The change to the towing rules were announced in September 2021 and finally came into effect on 16 December, following three months of limbo and delays.

The decision directly affects the horse world in several ways. It means people who have not shelled out for training and testing, previously a legal requirement for anyone who passed the driving test after 1 January 1997, are able to tow a trailer up to 3.5T maximum authorised mass (MAM).

It also affects equestrians seeking their HGV licence, as the towing test was scrapped to make way for 50,000 extra lorry tests.

The initial response on social media in September was mixed. Those who had already paid for training and undergone testing will not be eligible for refunds, although there were some specific exceptions for people with upcoming tests booked. There is a significant knock-on effect for towing training firms and safety concerns have also been voiced.

The new rules surrounding what size and weight of car and trailer a person can tow will still depend to some extent on when they originally passed your car driving test.

Trailer towing law change: training remains encouraged

The Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency explanation states the change follows a public consultation involving 9,541 responses.

“These changes will not change the standard of driving required to drive an HGV, with road safety continuing to be of paramount importance,” added the DVSA statement, issued on Friday (10 September).

“Any driver who does not demonstrate utmost competence will not be granted a licence. All car drivers will also still be encouraged to undertake training to tow trailers and caravans. We’ve already delivered 50% more [HGV] tests than were available before the pandemic, but today’s additional measures will deliver yet more tests.”

The DVSA’s advice to those who offer towing training states: “Professional training is still important for car drivers who want to tow a trailer, so we will continue to encourage those wanting to tow to seek training before towing a trailer.

“We encourage you to talk to your car and trailer pupils to explain what they will no longer need to take a test and will be able to tow a trailer that’s up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass when the law changes. You can also signpost your pupils to our towing guidance.”

Read the full guidance on the trailer towing law changes on the Government website

• Have you been affected by the Government’s decision to scrap the car and trailer towing test? Let us know about your experiences by writing to hhletters@futurenet.com for a chance to see your views in H&H magazine and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger (please include your name and address; letters may be edited).

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Safety and business fears over trailer test scrapping

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The owner of a horse who suffered horrific injuries resulting from a “bodged” trailer repair wants to warn others of the dangers of using illegal transporters.

Julia McMorrow’s 17.2hh part-bred Shire Merlin severed arteries and lost part of his hoof when a metal sheet used to mend the trailer wall came loose in transit.

Two months on, the 15-year-old gelding is recovering but faces months of rehabilitation, while Julia is left with thousands of pounds to pay in vets’ bills.

“In some ways, I’ve been lucky,” Julia told H&H. “I run holiday lets and we had a good summer; that money was supposed to go to do up my house, but without that, I’d have had to put him down.”

Julia said she booked the local transporter to take Merlin to hospital for treatment for canker in his front feet.

Having suffered two broken ribs while trying to treat the painful condition, and under stress about the trip, she did not think to check the transporter she used, whom she knew other people locally had travelled horses with.

“I assumed she was legal and it wasn’t until that night I found out she wasn’t,” Julia said.

“I went in her car as friends were picking me up and I’d told her that he always kicks the back ramp twice as you pull away and then settles. He did that and she said we’d just carry on, but what neither of us realised is that the sheet of metal on the wall had collapsed and gone under his feet. He must have been so terrified, he just froze; if we’d known and had taken him off there, he’d have died as it was rush hour and a vet couldn’t have got there in time.”

As the car and trailer pulled up at the clinic, there was a group of vets waiting.

“Someone had seen the blood pouring out of the trailer and let them know,” Julia said. “I didn’t have a clue what was going on but we took down the ramp and it was horrendous.

“I said ‘Oh my god, what the hell’s happened?’ and [the transporter] said ‘Oh my god, he’s ruined my trailer’.”

Warning, graphic image

Merlin was immediately sedated, and vets got the bleeding under control. During that time, Julia’s friend had spotted something about the trailer, while her daughter took photographs.

“I could see the side wall had been bodged with these metal sheets,” Julia said. “I came round the corner crying and she said ‘Don’t worry about the trailer, I’ve got a man who does cheap repairs’. This was two sheets of metal, secured by carpet trim.”

Merlin spent a week in hospital, during which his canker was also successfully cut out, and six more weeks at a rehabilitation centre. He is now home, and vets are optimistic about his prognosis but he faces another six months of box rest.

“He’d taken a large section out of his hoof and they said at first he’d probably need reconstructive surgery but it’s growing nicely, so he doesn’t need it,” Julia said.

Julia is now in the process of taking legal action against the transporter, who charged her an average rate for the trip despite the fact she was unlicensed.

“She messaged me that evening to ask me to pay for the repairs to her trailer. I asked for her insurance details and she said she’d just done it as a favour. But I’d never even met her before,” she said.

“If she’d once asked how Merlin was or said sorry, I wouldn’t be doing this. I understand people make mistakes and I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt my horse but when she messaged me that night, about paying for her trailer but nothing about Merlin, I thought ‘This woman’s got no heart’. That’s what upsets me the most.”

Julia is urging anyone considering booking a transporter to check potential companies thoroughly in advance, looking for those that give professional quotes and ask appropriate questions about the horse to be transported, for example, as well as being happy to provide proof of licensing, to ensure they are licensed to provide the service and so up to standard.

“I want to raise awareness of what can happen,” she said. “The impact of this has been huge; I lost my other mare too. She hadn’t been eating very well since Merlin had been away and although she perked up when he came back, she then colicked and we lost her. It was like she’d given up and I’m pretty sure she’d still be here if he hadn’t been away.

“It just shows that a simple thing like not checking in advance can have such a huge effect.”

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Changes to the car and trailer towing law, which will allow more people to tow horse trailers without having to pass an additional test, have been delayed.

The new law had been due to come into force on 15 November but in an update published by the DVLA today (11 November) it was announced this is no longer the case.

“The change will be introduced at a later date, and as soon as possible,” read the statement.

Under the new rules people who passed their car driving test from 1 January 1997 will be allowed to tow trailers up to 3.5T maximum authorised mass (MAM) – however different rules will apply if you live in Northern Ireland.

Until the law change comes into effect, drivers must continue to follow the current rules about what they are allowed to tow based on when they passed their car driving test. Drivers can only tow anything heavier, if being supervised by a person at least 21 years old who has had category BE on their licence for a minimum of three years.

“You can be fined up to £1,000, be banned from driving and get up to 6 penalty points on your driving licence if you tow anything heavier before the law changes,” states the Government website.

Decision to scrap car and trailer towing test

The DVSA announced plans to scrap the car and trailer (B+E) towing test on 10 September as part of Government plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage. The reasoning behind the decision was to free up testing capacity for lorry drivers.

The decision sparked serious road safety concerns, with training schools, equine transport rescue service providers and road safety organisations all strongly urging drivers to undertake training before hitching up. Some also felt the change would not help to significantly increase the number of HGV drivers.

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Scrapping the car and trailer towing test is an “accident waiting to happen” and will not solve the HGV driver shortage, leading industry figures have warned.

The B+E test, introduced in 1997, has been scrapped as the Government scrambles to free up HGV tests. When the law changes, this will broadly mean anyone with a car licence will be able to tow a trailer weighing up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass.

Yet while the B+E test has ended, there is still no exact date for when the new law will come in, beyond “the autumn”.

The decision has sparked serious road safety concerns, and questions remain over whether it may result in a spike in demand for towing vehicles and trailers.

Training schools, equine transport rescue service providers and road safety organisations are all strongly urging drivers to undertake training before hitching up.

“We are very concerned about the scrapping of trailer tests and the implications for both general road safety and animal welfare,” Claire Barker, of PRP Rescue Services, told H&H.

“We strongly encourage anyone considering towing for the first time to undertake trailer training similar to that which would have been required before a test.”

Every provider H&H spoke to is continuing to offer training, to help drivers build confidence and improve road safety, and all called for some form of mandatory training and certification to replace the test.

“It’s a knee-jerk reaction to what [the Government] thinks will solve the HGV driver crisis and they are not listening to the industry or safety bodies,” said Nick Martin, of Nick Martin’s Driving School.

He pointed out that when the law changes, a new driver would be able to pass their test in a Mini, and legally get behind the wheel of a 4×4 towing a large trailer the next day.

“It isn’t a good thing for road safety,” he said. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

While the Government is encouraging drivers to undergo training, Mr Martin said unless this is compulsory, demand will fall.

“Businesses that have always delivered that training will have to diversify to survive. If it isn’t viable, the businesses won’t be there to provide that,” he said.

He explained driver training was shut down for months, owing to pandemic restrictions, putting pressure on many businesses’ finances. The industry then faced a huge backlog when lessons and tests re-started in April, which had other effects. For example, investment in fleets and increased hours to meet the surge in demand, and to rebuild after months of closure. When the Government scrapped the B+E test, this slashed many businesses’ projected incomes overnight.

“They have done this with no thought or consideration to the industry,” he said, adding that he has “clawed back” two weeks of work from three months of bookings.

“It’s unfair to close our industry down with a week’s notice, and it’s unfair on the customers I had booked, who needed to tow in October and now legally can’t.

“It’s to no avail – they haven’t listened to the industry, the HGV test capacity has never been the issue; it’s the candidates they need to take those tests.”

A DVSA update, dated 21 September, stated there were 316 unsold bus and lorry tests in the previous week.

Busier roads

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) expressed “serious concerns” about ending B+E testing to the Government weeks before the changes were announced.

“Drivers will be a risk to themselves and all other road users if they have not been trained and required to reach a defined standard,” it added.

The RHA suggested a solution, whereby authorised trainers should be allowed to conduct the test on behalf of the DVSA, which it states would be “simple, quicker and almost certainly less expensive for the consumer”.

The idea of a certificate, proving to insurers that the holder has undergone towing training, has been mooted from several corners as a way of boosting safety. It has also been noted that vehicles and trainers are often booked weeks in advance for HGV training, meaning a sudden influx of available tests is not the answer.

In 2019, there were over nine million more cars on British roads than when the towing test was introduced in 1997. The number of miles covered on British roads per year in that time frame, by all types of traffic, increased from 297.8 billion to 356.5 billion – a rise of 58.7 billion.

Matt Price, of Matt Price Driver Training, is among those feeling a heavy impact from the decision to scrap the test. He also suggested certification as a way forward.

“From a safety perspective, [scrapping the test] is a horrendous decision,” he said.

The change means Mr Price is now offering more tailored training that can include navigating a person’s own yard, with their vehicle and trailer.

“There are quite a number of people that have decided they do still want some kind of training,” he said. “When you are travelling something worth [a lot to you], the last thing they want to do is to go out, without any formal training, and get into a sticky situation.”

MT Training Services owner Tony Collinson told H&H he was “flabbergasted” by the decision, and agreed some form of compulsory basic training and certification is urgently needed.

He said his firm is continuing to offer training and it is notable that most drivers undertaking their “due diligence” are from the equestrian world.

“The impact on road safety is going to be huge.The average B+E pass rate was around 60 to 70%, with training. Without training, that would have been massively reduced,” said Mr Collinson, adding that this will result in a huge increase in drivers towing trailers without the basic competency level.

“When you are putting livestock in the back, there has to be some sort of welfare issue.”

Responding to the concerns raised, a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) spokesman told H&H: “The decision to remove the requirement for car drivers to take a B+E test if they want to tow a trailer was subject to a public consultation exercise. The consultation received over 9,500 responses and most respondents supported the proposals.

“The DVSA is exploring options for an industry-led accreditation that could offer a standardised non-statutory training approach. We have met with key stakeholders, including trainers and insurers, to discuss this issue. We have also met with horse associations, including the British Horse Society and British Animal Rescue and Trauma Association.”

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Prizes including a £6,500 trailer that went unclaimed by their original winners are being raffled off for £1 charity tickets.

Harry Hall has announced that all the unclaimed prizes from its recent golden ticket promotion will be part of the raffle, in aid of the company’s charity partners the Horse Trust, Brooke and the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Golden tickets were sent to everyone who shopped at Harry Hall between 15 March and 3 May, the winning tickets selected at random. The company launched an appeal to find the mystery winners, who each had 30 days to claim their prize, repeatedly urging customers to check their tickets, but prizes worth nearly £7,000 remained unclaimed after 30 days since the final draw.

These include the new Cheval Liberte Horse Trailer, with a year’s Harry Hall trailer insurance, a horse and rider Protechmasta wardrobe worth over £500, shopping vouchers and NAF products.

“We have some amazing prizes waiting to go — someone will win a brand-new trailer for just £1,” said Harry Hall managing director Liz Hopper. “What better way to raise additional cash for our three wonderful charity partners than to sell raffle tickets for the unclaimed prizes?”

Raffle tickets can be bought online by anyone until midnight on 21 June. Tickets cost £1 and all the money will go to charity.

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Harry Hall is also doubling its regular donations during May and June 2021. Anyone joining the Harry Hall One Club, taking out a new insurance policy or shopping on the Harry Hall website will trigger a double donation of 10p to the charity fund, and customers have the option also to donate at checkout.

The draw for the raffle will take place on 22 June and the winners will be contacted.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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As competition and training activity restarts this week, equestrians have been reminded about what to do in the event of a breakdown, and how to try to prevent such incidents.

Following the easing of lockdown restrictions and the resumption of competitions and arena hire from today (29 March), Highways England and the British Horse Society have advised horsebox users about vehicle checks that should be performed before setting off, and what to do in an emergency.

BHS safety team leader Des Payne said the safety of drivers, their horses and those in vehicles around them is “paramount” and the society strongly advises that all possible steps are taken to minimise the risk of a breakdown occurring.

“It’s vitally important that thorough vehicle checks are carried out before every journey, regardless of how frequently you use your mode of equine transport,” he said.

“It’s also important that trailers are professionally serviced at least once a year, like servicing a horsebox, ensuring all areas of the vehicle have been rigorously examined. Before towing, it’s crucial that all trailer components are fit for purpose. There are multiple checks that should be carried out on your mode of transport and a detailed list of these can be found at bhs.org.uk/transporting-horses.”

Mr Payne added that in the event of a breakdown on the motorway or major A road, individuals should not enter the horse compartment – and should not unload a horse, unless the police or agencies have granted permission.

“The BHS also recommends that you take out quality breakdown cover specifically for equine recovery, otherwise a rescue, particularly from a motorway, has the potential to be very expensive,” he said.

Highways England, which has launched a campaign reminding road users to “go left” in the event of a breakdown, recorded 631 breakdowns on motorways involving horseboxes in 2020.

“Safety is our top priority and we know that no one plans to break down but the unexpected does happen,” said Stuart Lovatt, Highways England head of strategic road safety.

“We also know how important animals of all shapes and sizes are to their owners which is why it is so important to know what to do in an emergency. By following simple safety advice we want all those traveling on the motorway to feel more in control and confident.”

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In the event of a breakdown Highways England recommends leaving the motorway if possible. If this is not possible, road users should put their left indicator on and move into an emergency area, on to a hard shoulder, motorway service area, left-hand verge or A road lay-by. Horseboxes and towing vehicles should have their hazard warning lights on, and if it is dark, side lights should also be on.

“On a motorway without a hard shoulder, it should be possible for most vehicles experiencing a problem to reach an emergency area. These are spaced regularly, and are marked by a clearly visible orange road surface and blue signs featuring an orange SOS telephone symbol,” advises Highways England.

“If it is safe to do so, and you can get out with any passengers, exit your vehicle on the side furthest from traffic. If it is not safe to do so, stay in your vehicle and wait for help. Keep well away from moving traffic and your own vehicle. Get behind a safety barrier where there is one, and where it is safe to do so. If you’re on a verge, be aware of any unseen hazards such as uneven ground or debris.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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A driver who used to unhitch his small trailer and move it by hand rather than face the challenge of reversing it has created a driving simulator programme aimed at helping others.

Jim Bedigan used geometry and his experience in software development and 3D graphics in the flight simulation industry, to create the Reverse my Trailer resource.

He told H&H he became interested when he found himself watching BBC2’s Caravanner of the Year, some years ago.

“I don’t own a caravan but it was surprisingly good viewing,” he said. “I was watching people trying to reverse; one yelling instructions while the other tried to get through a series of obstacles, and thought ‘There has to be a better way than this’.”

Jim created animated computer tutorials, which explain the principles involved, and a 3d simulator, which allows the driver to practise, with a bird’s-eye and mirror views.

“I started looking at the geometry and it went from there,” he said. “I thought it would be interesting to see if I could get the computer to work out what steering commands to use to get it to follow a particular path, then I got bored of looking at cubes, and thought I’d see if I could create realistic models.”

Jim said he has shown the programme to equestrian and caravanning bodies, to enthusiastic responses, and that the feedback from users has so far been good. He has also worked with trailer manufacturers, and put together a scenario designed to resemble a stable yard.

The programme is free to download.

“People keep asking what my financial model is, but I don’t have one,” he said.

“In the back of my mind, I wondered whether big companies, maybe caravan companies, might sponsor it, but there’s never been an intention to charge any money for it.

Continues below…

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‘It was an absolutely horrific experience. I was heading towards a dual carriageway so I’m relieved it didn’t happen there’

“If someone wants to make a big donation towards development costs, of course I’d be very happy but it’s become a hobby; it’s been great fun.”

Jim, who studied physics at university, added that he used to be no great shakes at reversing himself.

“I was terrible!” he said. “I had a small trailer and I used to unhitch it and move it by hand because it would be too embarrassing trying to reverse it.

“I have since found out that the smaller the trailer, the harder it is to reverse; with a very long one, you’ve got a fighting chance.”

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A rider whose trailer separated from her car when she was towing says she will never trust detachable towbars again.

Siobhan Meechan, from Forfar, Angus, was towing without any horses on board, half a mile from her yard, when she heard a “thud” on 9 December.

“The car felt different and I looked in my rearview mirror – I can usually see the bottom part of the window on my trailer but all I could I see was black,” she told H&H.

“I looked in my passenger mirror and could see the trailer trying to overtake me. It went into some bushes up an embankment and dropped on to its side.”

Siobhan said she got out of her car and discovered the towbar was no longer attached and had come away with the trailer.

“It was an absolutely horrific experience. I was heading towards a dual carriageway so I’m relieved it didn’t happen there,” she said.

“I phoned my yard owners Lesley Learmouth and Sue Griffiths who came to help me and another farmer, Euan came and pulled the trailer up. Lots of people stopped to ask if I was ok and a vet who was passing checked to make sure we didn’t have horses. ”

Siobhan said she had the towbar, which she was using for the first time, checked by a professional at a garage an hour before she used it.

“I was shown how to fit it and was told it was working fine. I had explained I was using it for towing horses and was told it was safe,” she said.

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“I plan to go back and explain what happened but I feel really shaken up. If I had been towing my 17.1hh mare Beauty and that had happened I don’t know how we would have got her out, I often tow by myself to lessons and shows. It’s really put the fear into me.”

Siobhan posted about her experience online and said she plans to get a fixed towbar fitted.

“One lady commented saying she had an accident with a detachable towbar where her horses were in the trailer, but then some people said they’ve never had an issue with them,” she said. “I want to make people aware of what happened, if someone wants to use one that’s fine and I hope nothing ever happens, but from this experience I’ll never trust one again – I wouldn’t trust it as far as I could throw it.”

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A rider has praised the emergency services after a terrifying towing accident left her horse trapped in a trailer on its side.

Meg Lewis from Shropshire was travelling her 13-year-old Irish sports horse Rex to a fun ride on Sunday (26 May) when her trailer jack-knifed on the A5.

Meg told H&H: “All of a sudden the trailer started to snake and I tried to get out of it. I think Rex must have lost his balance which made it snake more – it went totally out of control. I knew it was happening, I could see the trailer going behind me and there was nothing I could do.

“We did a complete U-turn in the middle of the road into a hedge, and my Land Rover and trailer ended up on their sides.”

No other vehicles were involved but drivers who had been behind Meg stopped to help.

“It was horrendous but I was so lucky I hadn’t banged my head or anything. I tried to climb out of my door, which was now above me, but I couldn’t get out. Someone eventually managed to open the door from the outside and I climbed out,” said Meg.

“Everyone was so helpful; a paramedic was behind me and another lady, who was into horses, stopped. I went straight to Rex and he was just standing in the trailer, on its side. He wasn’t panicking, he was just patiently waiting to get out.”

Meg’s friend Liz Corbett, who had been travelling in a vehicle in front, phoned Stretton Hills Equine Vets who attended and sedated Rex.

“The emergency services were amazing and so quick to respond. I had to go in an ambulance to be checked over while four fire engines arrived and were able to open the back ramp and walk Rex out. I walked out without a scratch, I’ve got a few bruises but nothing bad – I was mostly worried about Rex. I was so relieved to see him standing without any injuries,” said Meg.

“My brother came and took Rex home and once the sedation wore off he went in the field and was grazing happily. He looked a little stiff the next day but I’ve given him some time off and have the physio coming next week.”

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Meg hopes to get back on the road soon but said she is worried about towing again.

“I think the sooner I get out and tow, the better it will be. I don’t want to dwell on it for too long before I go out and do it again. I’ll start off with a short journey first and see how it goes, you have to carry on and move on,” said Meg.

“I’m hoping to buy a new trailer and we’ll see how Rex is about loading, but we’ll take things slow. He’s a very chilled horse and you can usually do anything with him – he’s amazing. I’m aiming for some hunter trials at the end of next month and we are hoping to do some eventing towards the end of the summer.”

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The owner of a show pony whose hooves came through the trailer after he was spooked by a loud motorbike said she thought in that moment he had broken both legs.

Vicky Norris was on her way back from a show with her part-bred Arab four-year-old Sandboro Temptation (Joey) and a miniature Shetland in the trailer when they pulled up at traffic lights.

“There was a motorbike just by the side of us, revving its engine and with a really loud exhaust pipe; it sounded like fireworks” she said. “Then he shot off at what seemed like 100mph.

“Joey’s travelled everywhere and he’s never been bothered by anything, but he’d never heard anything like this. The next thing we saw was his hooves sticking out of the side of the trailer.

“I thought he was dead, thought he’d broken his legs.”

Joey was breathing heavily, Vicky said, and his eyes were rolling, but with the help of a passer-by, Vicky and her partner managed to get his feet back in the trailer and get the pony on to the ramp, where he stood up.

“The Shetland just kept eating his hay the whole time, and Joey walked straight back on to the trailer,” Vicky said, adding that they were so near vet Simon Constable’s yard, they drove straight there for treatment.

Simon X-rayed him but it was found Joey, who has enjoyed showing success and is to be aimed at Horse of the Year Show riding pony qualifiers this season, had only suffered bad grazes. It is hoped he can be turned out again soon, and that the cuts should not leave scars.

“Simon said he was the best patient,” Vicky said. “He just isn’t bothered by anything, but we’ve had the trailer completely redone, with aluminium and fibreglass, and I think we’ll travel him in earplugs in future.”

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Riders can report in different categories including road incidents and those involving dogs and cyclists

Vicky would like motorcyclists to be aware if they pull up near trailers and horseboxes, and try to avoid over-revving engines if possible.

“This biker shot off so fast and revved so much – there’s no need for it,” she said. “I think some people maybe don’t know how scared horses can get – although our trailer said ‘Horses’ all over it; I think this biker just wasn’t bothered.”

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Young riders are being encouraged to learn about safely transporting their horses as part of NFU Mutual’s Horsebox Safety Week (20 to 26 August).

The initiative is being held to coincide with the Berkeley Group Pony Club Championships and Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

NFU Mutual is joining forces with the Pony Club and National Pony Society Scotland to raise awareness and “spread the safety message to the next generation of riders”.

“Owners are unwittingly putting their horses’ lives at risk by not carrying out basic checks before making journeys and we want to use the week to reduce injuries and fatal accidents,”said NFU Mutual’s equine specialist Justine Simms-Gould.

“From an early age young riders get involved with the wellbeing of their ponies, yet when it comes to travelling it [becomes] a matter often dealt with by adults.

“We want to raise awareness with young riders so they have conversations with their parents about how they can care for their horses at all times.”

In 2017, flat tyres or damaged wheels accounted for 22% of all NFU Mutual’s horsebox breakdown calls.

While horseboxes do have to pass an annual MOT, the process does not include checks on the vehicle for its suitability or safety to carry horses.

H&H is backing calls for changes within the industry for better regulation of horse box construction.

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Pony Club vice-chairman Christopher Bromfield said he hopes members are inspired to take their loading achievement badge, which covers travelling as well as roadworthiness requirements for horseboxes and trailers.

“We are extremely proud to once again join forces with NFU Mutual during Horsebox Safety Week to help raise awareness and highlight that horsebox safety isn’t just about safe driving and checking your tyres, but to make sure you maintain your horsebox and learn the best practices to load and unload your horse,” he added.

Horsebox Safety Week is highlighting seven key issues: pre-journey safety checks, old and worn tyres, rotten floors and ramps, overweight vehicles, accidents, breakdowns and safe loading.

Jane McNaught, National Pony Society Scotland member, advised owners check their tyres, floor, ramps and general condition frequently, especially in the run-up to an event.

“We understand how much hard work goes into the [Pony Club] championships and [Blair Castle] horse trials and we want riders to apply the same dedication and commitment when it comes to safety,” added Jane.

People can follow the campaign using the #HBSW hashtag on social media and through a series of safety videos at youtube.com/nfumutualvideo.

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For many, the prospect of towing looms over horse owners like a dark cloud. David Murphy Towing, a manufacturer of towbars and trailers, offers this comprehensive safety guide designed to help you reach your end destination without incident — and put your mind at rest

1. Preparation: get your car and trailer serviced

Lack of vehicle and trailer maintenance is one of the most common causes of accidents on the roads and yet it is so easily avoided. Have your car and trailer regularly serviced for peace of mind.

2. Choose the right vehicle

Before hitching a trailer it’s vitally important that we make sure the towing vehicle is suitable for the needs of the journey. Although the ratio of car-to-trailer size isn’t the biggest factor in accidents, it does contribute significantly to horse injuries while travelling, which we absolutely want to avoid.

Scrambling in panicked horses for example creates a load shift, but this won’t increase the risk of trailer jackknife if the car or truck is strong and broad enough to carry that weight shift. As a driver, it’s also important not to panic yourself at strong movement from the trailer and subsequently break harshly, as this too cause the weight to shift and puts extra pressure on the vehicle to contain it.

3. Have you got the correct towbar/hitch system for your trailer and horse weight?

As well as vehicle choice, you want to ensure you’ve received expert advice on the correct towbar/hitch system for your trailer and horse weight. Horse trailers usually require a Class III or Class IV hitch but you’ll still want to check the specifics for your personal usage and needs. Don’t forget to include the weight of additional trailer contents like water, hay or grain as well as the weight of the animals.

4. Pre-journey checks

Once you’ve chosen the appropriate vehicle and trailer to match, do your basic pre-journey trailer safety checks — oil, water, tyre pressure, fuel. If you have connected electrical light systems, check they are functioning and all bulbs are working. Similarly, if you have an emergency brake system, test that before you load the animals. We encourage trailer owners to get right underneath the horse box too, look for loose cables, rust or any damage to the flooring. Check ramps too if you have them, ensure they are lubricated and not damaged.

The single most common cause of horse box incidents is unfortunately due to incorrect hitching of the trailer to the vehicle. So hitch your horse trailer when it’s empty. Do all your checks. Stand back and check the levels for weight balance. Then do all this again with the animals loaded. If you need expert help to learn to do this, ask a trained expert to take you through it until you feel confident enough to do it yourself. And invest in some safety chains which will keep the float attached to the vehicle if the worst happens and the towing mechanisms fail. A tip here is to cross them over each other before attaching, which will create a bed to catch the tongue of the trailer so it doesn’t bend down sharply or hit the ground on detachment.

5. Shift your mindset for towing

When it comes to towing your horses, the biggest thing to do is to shift your mindset to how you usually drive. Now you are essentially a big load truck driver!

Most of the advice is common sense but just to reiterate the basics, you’ll want to slow your speed and double the distance you normally leave between you and the vehicle in front. Keep tabs on your own awareness and attention – don’t let fatigue set in on long journeys or early morning/late night driving. It goes without saying to also avoid using your phone or driving under the influence of alcohol, strong medications or other substances.

Weather conditions will impair your ability to tow safely further still, so be mindful of the road conditions, your visibility and how well lit your own vehicle and trailer is to those driving behind and coming towards you. It’s a good idea to drive with your head lights on at all times if you’re in doubt.

If you need to make an emergency stop for whatever reason, be it weather related or because of an incident like a flat tyre or a trailer becoming disconnected, avoid at all costs breaking as harshly as you would without towing. Attempt to slowly verge onto a grassy type area far from the road, even if this means destroying a wheel. They can be replaced. Hard shoulder stops are dangerous for you, the horses, other road users and the emergency services so try to put as much distance as you can safely between you and the road markings.

6. Tackling the dreaded reversing

Reversing can be a challenging enough driving activity without the added dimensions of a horse trailer in the mix. With all the best sensors, extension mirrors and driving conditions, it’s still a good idea to ask someone to stand as a guide for you and direct you slowly as you angle the rear backwards.

If you get confused easily about the steering directions, a great tip is to move your hand to the bottom of the steering wheel instead of its usual position. This way, when you want to move right, you turn your head right (but you’re actually turning the wheel to the left). This can help avoid confusion.

7. Prepare for the worst

Even when you’ve done all you can to prepare and protect, sometimes, unfortunately, accidents do happen. When they do, you can at least be in a position to limit the damage it causes if you keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle.

One we probably don’t need to tell you about is a phone to make contact if you’re beyond the reach of an emergency services phone box. It’s also a good idea to keep an in-car phone charger kit in your glove box in case the battery dies, particularly on longer distance journeys.

The next obvious contents are first aid supplies, but we don’t just mean for the horses (which you probably pack anyway). What’s often forgotten is the human first aid supplies.

A small portable tool box doesn’t hurt either. You may not intend to carry out full blown repairs yourself on the roadside, but even small damage can hinder your journey. This is easily overcome with a stockpile of spare bulbs and strong tape for example, as well as a torch and reflective jacket to allow you to safely work roadside, of course.

And in case of bigger emergencies, it’s a good idea to carry a travel fire extinguisher with you. Even in small collisions, the leaking of fuel can be a big risk for fire and if you can’t safely unhitch your horses then you will want to be able to quell any flames until the emergency services arrive. A dry powder extinguisher is the best option to cover most eventualities.

Visit: davidmurphytowing.com

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Trailer manufacturer Ifor Williams has responded to a video warning owners to fit breast bars correctly by stating they will work both ways.

Owner Garry Bosworth’s video of 7 July warned owners to ensure the collapsible breast bars are always fitted with the lynch pin, rather than the “curly end”, towards the outside of the trailer.

He demonstrated how if fitted the other way round, the bar would not drop when the trailer’s release system is activated from outside, for example in the event of a horse becoming stuck with its legs over the bar.

Some 300,000 people have watched the footage, many commenting to say they had not realised there was a right and a wrong way to fit the breast bars.

But an Ifor Williams spokesman said the bar will drop whichever way it is fitted.

“Our distributors talk customers through all the correct use and safety aspects for the trailers, including the fitting of the breast bar,” he added.

“The recommended orientation is to fit the lynch pin end to the outer side wall of the trailer and the curled end on the centre partition. Fitting the other way around does not mean that the external release system will fail to operate, but it is more likely that the pin end will break before dropping.

“This does not make it unsafe but is a failsafe if bars are fitted with the lynch pins nearest the centre partition.”

The spokesman said a user’s handbook and a photographic guide are provided with every trailer sold. He added that since 2008, the external release system has been fitted with eye bolts, which can be released using a wheelbrace, instead of allen key releases, so the system can be activated if the key is lost.

“Should customers with older trailers that are fitted with the allen key release system wish to update to the eyebolt system, they can buy the parts from their local Ifor Williams Trailers distributor,” he said.

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“We are also very happy to send out replacement user handbooks free of charge to customers who have lost them, or for customers who have bought the trailer second-hand.”

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With the first real heatwave of the summer hitting the UK this week, owners are being served an urgent reminder to make sure they have enough water on board when transporting their horses.

Temperatures across parts of Britain expected to reach over 30 degrees for a fifth consecutive day today (21 June) and the forecast for the weekend remains hot and dry.

While ensuring your lorry is not overloaded, a call has been made not to skimp on the water.

Claire Barker, of breakdown cover provider The Organisation of Horsebox and Trailer Owners, said that over the last couple of weeks they have had some very distressed customers at the roadside feeling “utterly helpless” as they realise they can’t keep their horses comfortable while waiting for help.

“Planning for unexpected delays is so important when travelling with horses — they are particularly vulnerable as they are completely dependent upon their owners whilst shut in a lorry or trailer,” she told H&H.

“Horses are amazing creatures and their trusting nature allows us to put them into this situation. This trust should not be abused.”

Claire put a thermometer in her horsebox yesterday morning (Tuesday, 20 June) to measure how the temperature can rise.

After three hours, the temperature had risen by 10 degrees to 33ºC by lunchtime.

With hot horses on board and parked on the edge of a road, this temperature could well climb much higher.

“I think people set off anticipating there is not going to be a problem,” she added.

“Especially in this weather you need to be prepared for the fact that there might be a delay.

“We have had people who have not taken water with them because they are going for a ‘quick trip’ and where they are going will have water on tap.

“Even if you break down half an hour from home, if your water is not accessible, you could have a problem.

She added that making sure your water is at hand is very important and recommended having a couple of containers of emergency water that can be easily reached.

“If you break down on the side of the M4, for example, and your tap is on the traffic side, how are you going to access it then?” she said.

“Some people doing a short journey don’t think they need it — and you can’t think that, you just don’t know.

“If you are stuck, the temperature in that lorry is going to be rising so quickly.

“Our average response time is just under an hour. If we can’t repair it, they will have to wait for a recovery vehicle and horse transport.

“People need to appreciate that as well as whatever they are doing, when the weather is good the roads are busier. Our contractors are all fantastic, but this affects their response times.”

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She added that those who are lucky enough to have cooling systems for the horse area in their horseboxes should remember that these may not work if the vehicle breaks down.

“I would ask people to think: ‘is this journey really necessary? Is it essential to be out in your lorry when it is 30 degrees outside?

“If travelling is essential, could they go early in the morning or if they are at an event, could they wait a while and travel back in the evening when it is cooler?”

H&H vet Karen Coumbe agreed having water is important, but warned that horses can be fussy about drinking especially if they are unfamiliar with the taste of water from a plastic container.

“Ideally you might consider getting them accustomed to it in advance or some people add things like apple juice to change the taste,” she said.

“But again test it before you travel — the old cliché that you can take a horse to water but you cannot make them drink applies.”

She recommends planning in advance to travel in a cooler part of the day and urged owners to make sure that their horseboxes or trailers are fully roadworthy before setting off.

She also reminded owners not to put rugs on horses travelling in warmer weather and to never leave horses standing in trailers or horseboxes parked in the sun.

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Anyone who has ever tried to reverse a trailer will know just how tricky it is.

A car commercial has gone viral by showcasing the frustration many horse owners face when trying to back a trailer into a tight spot.

The short clip, created by Grabarz & Partner, features a field full of horses laughing their hooves off at the increasingly flustered driver’s failed attempts to park.

But the herd is silenced as another driver appears and switches on the “trailer assist” feature of the new Volkswagen Tiguan, before easily reversing his box neatly into its parking space.

Originally planned as a television advert, the clip went viral after it was posted online and became the most successful German Volkswagen video of all time.

It received more than nine million clicks in the first 72 hours and has had more than 40 million views overall.

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Volkswagen is by far from the first company to tap into horsepower when it comes to advertising.

The iconic Lloyds black horse returned to the bank’s advertising campaigns after a 10-year break in 2015 to mark its 250th anniversary, much to the delight of equestrians across the country. He has since starred in two further campaigns.

Socks the Shetland, who has his own website, became an internet sensation after Three mobile featured him in its #danceponydance adverts.

He was so popular that he returned for a Christmas special and was also recruited by the Scottish tourist board for a Visit Scotland campaign.

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For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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A pioneering firefighter who has saved countless horses’ lives through improving equine rescue skills in the emergency services has been given a prestigious award.

Jim Green, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, was announced the winner of the Sir Colin Spedding Award at the National Equine Forum on 2 March.

Mr Green grew up in the New Forest and trained as a forest manager before joining the fire service in 1996.

He has been at the forefront of responding to animal rescues in Hampshire since 2004. He also led the implementation of animal rescue methods, training and equipment that are now standardised across UK fire services.

He helped to set up the safer horse rescues initiative with Professor Josh Slater, which was launched by the British Equine Veterinary Association in 2007.

“Little did I know when joining the fire service that my path would lead me in this direction,” said Mr Green. “I am excited for the future as together we can develop these pioneering activities to promote safer rescues, improve welfare and protect livelihoods.”

Among his rescues was “Spencer”, who fell through the floor of a lorry and trapped his hind leg between the inner and outer wheels of a lorry in 2016.

He is also the co-founder of the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA), which last year published a survey into equine transport safety.

Article continues below…

Related articles:

• Owners ‘put lives at risk’ to rescue trapped horses
• Is you horsebox floor safe? Horse survives life-threatening accident *warning: upsetting images*
• Check horsebox floors to save your horse’s life

He was rescue advisor to the veterinary services team at the London 2012 Olympics.

Mr Green was unable to collect his award from the Princess Royal as he is on sabbatical in the US, where he is developing animal and disaster response strategies with the centre of equine health at the University of California.

The runner-up spots were taken by equine veterinary nurse Bonny Millar and Maureen James of the side-saddle authority.

Mr Green will deliver the memorial lecture at the 2018 forum.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A trailer safety campaign has been launched following the death of a three-year-old boy.

Pedestrian Freddie Hussey was killed in 2014 when a two-tonne portable cabin uncoupled from a Land Rover and careered on to the pavement.

Following his death, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is launching a new campaign highlighting the importance of trailer safety.

DVSA has produced a quick and simple online guide, with a short video (top), to help people check if their trailers are safe.

The campaign is targeting anyone towing trailers, including horse trailers, caravans and boats.

“I was shocked and saddened by the death of three year-old Freddie Hussey — it is absolutely essential that drivers carry out a few quick and simple checks to make sure their trailer is safe, so we do not see a repeat of this awful tragedy,” said transport minister Andrew Jones.

“This campaign will help drivers to make sure they are towing safely and will save lives in the process.”

DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn added: “DVSA’s first priority is to protect the public and help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.

“It’s your responsibility to ensure equipment is fitted to your vehicle correctly and used safely. There is no excuse for not being informed.

“Even a short journey with an insecure or unroadworthy trailer puts lives at risk, as the death of three-year-old Freddie Hussey tragically shows.”

The campaign is supported by representatives from National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

“NTTA firmly believes that education is the key to stopping these events from happening again and our association fully supports this campaign,” said NTTA chief executive Administrator, Larry Lambert.

“We urge all users to keep their trailers properly maintained and to allow sufficient time before each journey to carry out essential checks that will ensure that their towing experience is safe and legal at all times.”

SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, added: “We welcome this important campaign, and urge all trailer users to follow the DVSA’s simple steps to ensure their trailer is properly coupled so they can tow safely and avoid further tragic and preventable accidents.”

Continued below…

Related articles:

• Prototypes designed to make towing safer
• 9 top tips for first-time trailer towing

Safe towing

The DVSA offers the following guidance for safe trailer use:

• Make sure the brakes are working correctly
• Check that the lights are undamaged and working correctly
• Check that the coupling height is correct
• Use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling

For information about the rules on towing a trailer, visit www.gov.uk/towing

For information about safety checks you should carry out, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/tow-a-trailer-with-a-car-safety-checks

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

In Partnership with Subaru

The freedom of taking your horse out on your own can be a liberating experience, but for others it can be a daunting prospect. Whether you’re going for a lesson, heading off to enjoy better hacking away from your usual routes, going hunting, competing at any level or taking your horse to the vet in an emergency, knowing that you are well prepared and sufficiently equipped is the best way of making the experience more pleasurable — or at least less stressful than it might otherwise be.

So to help you on your way, Horse & Hound takes a look at ways to help ensure the safety of you, your horse and other road users while towing.

Selecting your towing vehicle

Once you’ve had the inevitable “trailer versus lorry” debate and decided that the trailer option is the route for you, you may need to consider selection of a suitable towing vehicle. In all likelihood, it will have to double-up as a regular mode of transport when not attached to a trailer, so it’s sensible to look for something that offers other benefits to daily driving such as comfort and durability. Fuel economy and safety features are two other main considerations, along with space for other passengers, luggage and any dogs that may like to travel with you.

With regards to comfort for your horse, it is worth thinking about the terrain you are likely to encounter when you are out and about. Not all venues have level parking on hard standing so it’s worth finding out about the off-road ability of the car. Take into account you may have to park on a hill in muddy conditions, perhaps going across rutted gateways where other vehicles may have previously got stuck and been towed in, so you will need sufficient clearance as well as all-wheel drive.

Knowing you have a vehicle with the ability to encounter those conditions without faltering gives peace of mind to even the most novice drivers and can make the experience for your horse in the back much better too.

The legalities

Before setting off on any journey, it is vital that various checks take place on both the towing vehicle and the trailer.

Aside from having the correct driving qualifications and insurance to legally tow a trailer, you must ensure the towing vehicle is capable of pulling the weight of your trailer and your horse. The vehicle’s handbook should be able to guide you on this.

As a rough guide, many vehicles have a maximum towing capacity of 2000kg. This will comfortably tow the average horse trailer that weighs approx 1000kg, plus one 16.3hh TB weighing 600km.

Other items such as tack, grooming kit and water can be stored in the trailer using the additional weight allowance, although you should be careful not to overload the front axle — which can lead to “snaking” where the vehicle sways from side to side — and always ensure the load is secure so it can’t become dislodged while travelling and get under your horse’s feet.

Maintenance

It’s recommend that you have your trailer — and your towing vehicle — professionally serviced annually to check for wear and tear. However you should also perform the following safety checks yourself before loading a horse into any trailer:

• Ensure the floor is inspected for signs of wear and damage.
• Tyre pressures should be checked regularly and wheel nuts tightened. Don’t forget to include the spare wheel.
• Check the partitions and breast bars are safely fixed into position and there is no internal damage to other parts that could cause injury to your horse.
• Make sure the engine oil and water levels are correct on the towing vehicle – engines have to work harder than usual when towing, particularly up steep hills.

Hitching up

In the absence of an assistant to guide you into exactly the right spot for hitching up, practice is the only way to get this right. Use your wing mirrors to keep you straight as you reverse up — you will probably have to stop several times to get out and check you are heading in the right direction.

If you have reverse parking sensors it’s probably wise to switch them off during this manoeuvre because they are likely to start bleeping some distance from the trailer and make you paranoid you’re about to crash!

A vehicle equipped with a reversing camera is the ultimate luxury. This can save time and prevent frustration at being “nearly but not quite” in the right spot… they are highly recommended if they are on the “options” list.

Additional safety tips for once you’re attached to the vehicle:

• Once the electric connector is in place, check the lights are working on the towing vehicle and the trailer before departure.
• Ensure the jockey wheel is raised and secured.
• Attach the breakaway cable to the specific tow bar loop or the hook on the rear of the towing vehicle.
• The handbrake will also need releasing before moving off, although many people do not engage these when parking trailers up for long periods of time to prevent the brakes from seizing on.
• Ensure the correct number plate is displayed on the back of your trailer
• Remember to remove any security wheel clamps that may be attached – this can turn ugly if you drive off with them on!
• It’s always worth having a test of the brakes before loading your horse up, just to ensure they are functioning properly.

Reversing

If you have any concerns about having to reverse your trailer — which is inevitable at some point — it’s best to take yourself off somewhere with some space with your empty trailer and practice on your own. We’ve all heard people barking “left hand down a bit” shortly followed by “no, the other way” at some poor person who is going backwards with the trailer at a jaunty angle and it only leads to frustration and confusion!

A field or an empty car park can be ideal the ideal place to start so you can make mistakes and learn from them. Just remember to take your time and if it goes wrong, pull forward and have another go… it does all fall into place eventually.

Loading and travelling

Ideally you would always have an assistant on-hand when loading to help put the ramp up once your horse is safely in, however if you are going to be loading on your own, it is best to practice beforehand so your horse is familiar with the procedure.

Equip him with the necessary travel boots and tail protection and get the hang of loading then putting the ramp up afterwards. Make sure you have the side door unlocked so you can get out that way if necessary. Taking a short journey “around the block” even when you aren’t under any time constraints is always a good way to familiarise yourself and your horse with the towing experience.

Be prepared

Nobody knows what may happen when out on the open road so always be prepared. Plan your route and take a roadmap however if you’re lucky enough to have satellite navigation — which hopefully will alleviate some stress of following a map — make sure you input the address details in before you set off.

Carry details of your breakdown cover with you along with any other numbers you may require in an emergency. Remember that when towing a trailer the recovery of your horses isn’t usually covered so you may need additional membership of a rescue scheme.

Stopping with a fully-loaded trailer doesn’t happen as quickly as you will be used to so think ahead and try to anticipate what’s going to happen on the road in front of you.

And finally…once you get the hang of it, taking your horse out for the day can be very rewarding so don’t give up — use the right equipment, carry out your safety checks and before you know it you’ll be heading off somewhere different at every opportunity!

The Special Edition Subaru Forester in Hunter Green used in these images has satellite navigation and reversing cameras fitted as standard. To find out more visit www.subaru.co.uk/huntergreen

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It seems such a simple idea — buy yourself a trailer so you can get out and about with your horse. What could possibly go wrong? Erm... quite a lot, actually. Here are 15 things you'll probably have experienced if you own a trailer...

1. That smug feeling you get because you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997, and can therefore tow a trailer without having to take an additional test. You feel sorry for wannabe trailer owners who passed their test on 2 January 1997, but really that extra day makes all the difference and the roads just wouldn’t be safe with just anyone driving trailers willy-nilly.

2. The “will-they, won’t-they” loading experience, where your horse’s willingness to get on said trailer largely depends on how good your driving was last time you went out. Everyone’s a critic these days, even equines.

3. The Mexican Stand Off when you encounter a car on a narrow country lane that refuses to reverse. The driver waves his fingers at you in the internationally understood hand signal of “you go back”. You’re tempted to respond with the internationally understood hand signal of ahem “get stuffed” — but you don’t. You’re too classy for that. Aren’t you?

4. With reference to the above, the overwhelming hatred you develop towards any car driver who can’t or won’t reverse. IF YOU CAN’T OR WON’T REVERSE, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS DRIVING DOWN A SINGLE TRACK COUNTRY LANE, EVER. Annnnnnd breeeeeaaaathe……

5. The horror when you’re driving your trailer down a one-track country lane, and encounter another trailer coming the other way. Which of you reverses? How far even is the nearest passing space? Argh!

6. The smug feeling you get when you happily tow your trailer out of a waterlogged lorry park as you watch all the lorry drivers stuck in the mud waiting to get towed out by the friendly tractor driver.

7. The joy of doing a million-point turn trying to get out of your friend’s yard, which is extremely short on turning space, after dropping her and her horse off after a show. You’re tempted just to crash out through the hedge, cartoon-style.

8. The near-breakdown of your friendship as your mate yells “left hand down! I SAID LEFT HAND! NO, STOP!” as you execute said million-point turn, taking out a small bush and a bit of wall in the process.

9. The guilty feeling you get every time you go round a roundabout and can feel your horse wobbling and stomping about in the back, trying to keep his balance. Roundabouts were definitely invented by a horse-hater.

10. The sneaking suspicion that by the time you’ve hooked up your trailer, got your horse kitted out in rug and travel boots, sorted out kit/tack/snacks, loaded, and driven to your destination, it would probably have been quicker just to hack there. Still, it IS raining and at least you’re not wet….

11. …Unless you’ve just discovered your trailer roof leaks. This usually happens at riding club camp, while you’re sleeping in it.

12. The — totally irrational — fear that the back of the trailer will fall down on the motorway, and your horse will fall out the back. Or maybe through the floor. Even though you’ve only just had your trailer serviced and they’ve told you it’s safe as houses.

13. The fact that you mutter “cabin crew for take-off” to yourself every time you secure the trailer prior to any road trip. And still find this hilariously funny.

14. The self-loathing (OK, that’s a bit strong — “self-disliking a bit”) you feel when you realise you forgot to sweep your horse’s poo out after your last outing, and now it’s welded itself to the floor forever.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Top tips for buying a second-hand trailer

15. The jealousy you feel towards anyone with a lorry. They don’t know they’re born!

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If you've plucked up the courage to take your trailer test, Flora Watkins looks at what you can expect — from how much it will cost, to what you will be asked to do in the test

Who needs to take the trailer test?

• If you took your car (Category B) test after 19 January 2013 you can tow small trailers weighing no more than 750kg and a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing car or van is no more than 3.5 tonnes MAM (maximum authorised mass which is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded).
• If you passed your car driving test between 1 January 1997 and 18 January 2013 you can drive a car or van up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. You can also tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3.5 tonnes.
• If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM.
• If you want to tow a trailer of a combined maximum weight (i.e. that of car, trailer, horses, tack and water) of between 3.5 tonnes and 8.25 tonnes, and you passed your car test after 1 January 1997 you’ll need to take the trailer test to get Category E on your licence.

What does the trailer test enable you to do?

• It gives you the B+E entitlement, enabling you to tow a trailer up to a combined maximum weight of 8.25 tonnes. Category B allows a maximum of 3.5 tonnes, which is insufficient for most horse trailers.

How much do the test and training cost?

• The test costs from £115.
• The cost of training varies around the country and according to how many hours you need — most packages involve two to three days of training with the test on the final day.
• EP Training charge £715 for an intensive two-day course and £1,015 for three days, with the test on the third day (test fees included). There’s a lower rate if you want to train with a friend or parent who is entitled to tow a trailer but isn’t confident doing so.
• The trailer needs to be a certain weight for the test (the trailer must carry at least 600kg and the combined weight of the trailer and load must be at least 800kg), so it’s advisable to use your instructor’s car and trailer.

How long does it take to get up to standard?

• That varies with ability and experience. Carleigh Pomfret passed first time with Toads School of Driving (see Where to learn, below) after eight hours tuition; her farmer husband “who’s been reversing tractors and trailers forever” only needed a two-hour lesson before the test.
• Training covers the dreaded reversing, coupling and uncoupling and making sure your driving is of test standard — checking your mirrors and blind spot, being in the correct lane approaching roundabouts.
• Most drivers should budget for a two- or three-day course.
• Grassroots eventer Fiona Iszchak struggled with reversing, too. Her advice is, if you have your own transport, “Get out and practise as much as you can”. You will however need to be accompanied by someone who’s entitled to tow a trailer.

What should I expect from the test?

• You’ll be asked vehicle safety questions, to carry out a safety check on the trailer, and to pass the registration plate reading eyesight test.
• You’ll then be asked to reverse the car and trailer into a loading bay marked out with cones.
• You’ll be asked to uncouple and recouple your trailer and car.
• Out on the road, you’ll drive on a variety of roads, including a 10-minute independent drive, and be asked to pull in and away again safely.
• You’re allowed up to 15 minor points and no major faults.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Looking to buy a second-hand horsebox? Then you need to read this first…

9 top tips for first-time trailer towing

Where to learn

• EP Training, Great Bookham, Surrey (www.eptraining.co.uk)
• Land Rover Experience, Eastnor, Herefordshire (www.eastnor.landroverexperience.co.uk)
• Martin Lovell, Crawley, West Sussex (www.trailerinstructor.co.uk)
• JLD Training, Banbury, Oxon (www.jldlgv.co.uk)
• Toads School of Driving, Cambridge (01480 831662)
• Howe to Tow, Guildford, Surrey (www.howetotow.com)
• Passtime Driver Training, Worcs (www.passtimedrivertraining.co.uk)
• Sutton Driving, Norwich (www.suttondriving.co.uk)
• John Griffin Trailer Training, Stapleford Abbots, Essex (www.jgtt.co.uk)
• Lincoln Driver Training, Lincoln (www.lincolndrivertraining.co.uk)
• The Trailer Towing Centre, Croydon (www.towingtrailers.co.uk)

Read the full feature about taking your trailer test in the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine (21 April 2016)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Would you know where to find the right tool to release the breast-bar of your trailer in an emergency?

Amanda Smith, of Brightside’s Horsebox Hire, had the idea for a solution after she saw a horse become stuck over the front breeching bar of a trailer at a show.

Ms Smith told H&H people were desperately trying to find an Allen key to release the collapsible bar from the outside of the box.

Luckily, the horse managed to free himself, but it gave Ms Smith the idea that a box containing the relevant tool to release the bar could be fitted to the outside of trailers and horseboxes.

Jon Phillips, of the Organisation of Horsebox & Trailer Owners, said he thinks it is a “wonderful idea”.

He added if they were on the same place on every trailer and horsebox, rescuers will know where to look.

However, he urged owners to exercise caution and understand that vets and firefighters of large animal rescue units are trained to deal with these situations.

Jim Green, of BARTA, said it is important that if things do go wrong, the right people and veterinary care is used to cause as little distress to the horse as possible.

Horsebox safety in the spotlight

Insurer NFU Mutual held a recent campaign to encourage owners to check the condition of their vehicles.

Its Horsebox Safety Week (4-10 April) highlighted a different issue each day, including overweight vehicles, safe loading, rotten floors and what to do if you horse is trapped or injured.

NFU Mutual equine specialist Victoria Walton said the week would focus on seven key issues, also including overweight vehicles and breakdowns, with short video guides available.

“Getting into a horsebox or trailer is not a natural behaviour for a horse, they do it because they have trust in their owner: our message to horse owners is clear don’t betray that trust,” said Victoria Walton, of NFU.

“It’s our responsibility to keep them safe and checking for things like worn tyres, rotting floors or ramps and if your horsebox or trailer is overloaded could prevent a disaster waiting to happen.”

Ref: H&H 7 April, 2016

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

ROTTING floors and worn-out tyres are among the issues to be highlighted by NFU Mutual in its Horsebox Safety Week.

The insurer has launched its campaign, which runs from 4-10 April, to encourage owners to put their horses’ safety first while travelling and loading, and raise awareness of the risks involved.

NFU Mutual equine specialist Victoria Walton said the week would focus on seven key issues, also including overweight vehicles and breakdowns, with short video guides available.

She added: “Worryingly, we often see situations where horse owners have invested huge amounts of time, money and effort into their horses’ health, training and wardrobes, but fail to pay the same amount of attention to the condition or suitability of the vehicles in which they transport their animals.

“Such oversights are often a result of horse owners not having sufficient knowledge about what they need to check or access to the right information. There is a also a widely held belief that accidents and breakdowns happen to other people, however, as an insurer we know that accidents and fatalities involving horses during transportation do happen, but many are entirely preventable.”

The insurer says it receives claims related to injuries to horses’ legs caused by rotten floors, and blown tyres causing boxes to overturn. It adds that 19 per cent of injuries sustained by horses in trailers or horseboxes are fatal.

NFU wants owners to check horseboxes and trailers regularly.

Related articles:

• 5 luxurious horseboxes ideal for long-haul travel
• Warnings of online scam when buying horse trailers
• 5 tips for travelling long distances in the lorry

Ms Walton added: “Getting into a horsebox or trailer is not a natural behaviour for a horse, they do it because they have trust in their owner: our message to horse owners is clear don’t betray that trust. It’s our responsibility to keep them safe and checking for things like worn tyres, rotting floors or ramps and if your horsebox or trailer is overloaded could prevent a disaster waiting to happen.”

A different issue will be highlighted every day, with videos on the campaign’s YouTube channel.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A horse has had a very lucky escape from serious injury after falling through the floor of a horsebox.

The horse, named Spencer, was trapped after one of his legs fell through the wooden floor of the horsebox he was travelling in on Sunday (21 February).

Animal rescue officer Jim Green, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, told H&H that it is a “timely reminder” for owners to check the flooring of their lorries and trailers ahead of the spring.

“This was a very up-together looking lorry on the face of it,” he said. “You would not have thought there was any problem at all.”

Spencer’s owner, Anne Dance, told H&H she had the vehicle serviced a couple of weeks ahead of its plating in December and would never have put a horse in it if she thought it was unsafe.

Mrs Dance had just arrived at Mayhill Stud, Hants, when the accident happened.

She stopped the lorry while her friend opened the gate, then checked the camera in the horse compartment as she went to pull forward.

She saw Spencer had appeared to “sit down” and stopped the vehicle immediately.

The horse’s hind leg had gone through the floor and was stuck between the inner and outer rear wheels of the lorry.

Vet Sarah Gent, who happened to be on-site, quickly sedated the horse before the emergency services arrived.

Five fire crews, from Droxford, Lyndhurst and Overton along with another vet, Jo Dyson, and Mr Green, attended.

The horse was anaesthetised to prevent injury the horse while the team tried to extract him.

Firefighters lifted up the lorry on a jack so they could remove the wheels and firefighters used strops to manoeuvre the horse inside the box and free the trapped limb.

He was then moved on an animal slider to a large bed of straw, while they waited for him to come round.

By that evening, Spencer was up and weight bearing on all four legs.

“This was a very traumatic experience for the horse, owner and the people at the show,” said Mr Green.

He added horse owners need to check the integrity of the floor frequently.

Ms Dyson, from Animed, said the rescue was “just incredible” and that Spencer was “amazingly lucky” to escape without serious injury.

Related articles:

• Check horsebox floors to save your horse’s life *H&H VIP*
• Could trailer MOTs become law?
• 12 tips for travelling horses

Pictures of the rescue were shared on Friends of the Hampshire Animal Rescue Team’s Facebook page and have so far been shared more than 7,000 times.

Mrs Dance said yesterday (Monday, 22 February) that Spencer is recovering well and when she trotted him up that morning, he was “barely lame”.

“Words cannot describe how pleased and thankful I am to his rescuers,” she said.

“They were totally amazing. I am so, so grateful.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

If you think of a trailer as just a means of transporting your horse from A to B, think again. Some enterprising folk have been incredibly creative and come up with alternative uses for old trailers. The downside is that you can't get a horse in them any more...

1. Pimms O’Clock

Owned by Kerry Manahan of Typically English Events, this converted blue Bateson trailer — Pricilla the Pimms Pod — travels the country supplying village fairs, weddings and equestrian events across the South East with delicious alcoholic beverages. With a background in catering for equestrian events and country fairs, Kerry bought the trailer when her own mobility began deteriorating and hasn’t looked back. Pricilla remains true to her horsey roots — she was a regular at point-to-points throughout the season. Officially endorsed by Pimms, she’s not just for summer — in winter, you can choose between mulled cider, winter Pimms (served hot with spices and apple juice) and hot chocolate with Baileys. Mmmm! And there are more plans for ‘Penelope’ in the offing…

www.facebook.com/typicallyenglishevents or follow #WheresPricillaNext…

2. Caffeine fix

If you fancy a coffee and happen to be in Oxfordshire, then look out for the Horsebox Coffee Co. selling their wares out of a converted Rice horsebox. They pop up at local events such as Newbury Artisan Market and the Thame Food Festival, and even the odd horsey occasion. With rave reviews about their coffee, they sound well worth checking out — particularly their ‘Dark Horse Espresso’. Maybe you can’t completely take the horse out of the trailer…

www.facebook.com/horseboxcoffeeco

3. Glamptastic

If you regularly sleep in your horsebox at shows/camp, then it probably isn’t the first place you think of when someone utters the words ‘luxury boutique hotel’. But ‘Ges,’ based in Surrey and available through glamping experts Canopy and Stars, is just that. A 1970s horsebox that was left to rot in a farmer’s field, it was lovingly converted into a cool vintage weekend pad by owners Gary and Yvonne. They originally intended it just for their own use, until everyone begged to borrow it! Parked in a beautiful flower meadow, ‘Little Ges’ — a pony trailer converted into a bathroom — is next door for your exclusive use. There’s everything you could need for a romantic weekend for two — including a panini toaster.

www.canopyandstars.co.uk

Continued below…

Looking to buy a second-hand horsebox? Then you need to read this first…

You have decided to buy a second-hand horsebox, but where do you start — and what questions should you ask?

4. Mother’s ruin

A 10-year old Rice trailer has been given a new lease of life by Jon Beauford and his daughter Anna, from Northamptonshire. They’ve converted into a mobile bar known as ‘The Gin Tin.’ The conversion took eight weeks and included painting it royal blue, replacing the door hatches with chalkboard menus and the mudguards with silver aluminium moulds. They specialise in gin cocktails, and proving it hasn’t completely thrown off its horsey roots, the trailer sold drinks to the equestrian elite at the Global Champions Tour in London.

www.gintinevents.co.uk

5. Cheesy business

Cheese maker Simon, from Somerset, also proved he was a dab hand at DIY when he converted a 1970s horse trailer into a mobile cheese shop with sleeping pod on the side. Simon, who sells organic and local cheeses to festivals, outdoor events and live shows in the West Country, says: “I wanted to create a space for my cheese business that was different to what was already out there.” He certainly achieved that. The conversion cost £3,000 and we think it was well worth it.

thewholecheese.co.uk

6. Pizza the action

Wouldn’t it be great if you could have delicious wood-fired pizza delivered in a converted Rice trailer, painted a cool shade of light blue? Ode On The Road isn’t the West Country’s answer to Domino’s, but it does make fantastic pizzas in the lovingly restored horsebox, and is available for private hire, weddings and other events. A successful small chain of restaurants in South Devon, and Winner of the 2014 Catey’s Sustainable Business Award, it proves that you can make a great business out of upcycling.

www.odetruefood.com

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

MOT-style tests for horse trailers could still be on the cards for the future despite the European Union’s (EU) decision not to include them in last year’s law.

Currently, only trailers over 3.5 tonnes must be periodically tested for roadworthiness.

As most horse trailers are designed to carry up to a gross maximum of 3.5 tonnes or less — depending on design — these are exempt.

For example, the largest Ifor Williams and Equi-Trek horse trailers on sale have a maximum gross-weight limit of 3.5 tonnes.

However, there is provision in the ruling for it potentially to include lighter trailers in the future.

Jon Phillips, of the Organisation of Horsebox and Trailer Owners, said he would “welcome” regular testing of trailers.

“We see on a daily basis the result of poorly maintained trailers,” he said.

“Some of them are just absolutely dreadful. We have horses going through the floors regularly.”

Jon added that he thinks regular MOT-style tests could also help tackle thefts as trailers will have a traceable history.

Unlike cars, trailers do not need registration documents, but are security marked with unique serial numbers to discourage thieves.

Trailers should also be checked and serviced frequently.

“It is simple stuff but people don’t do it,” Mr Phillips added.

He also said it can be difficult to trace how old a trailer is and how many miles it has done.

By 30 April 2019, the European Commission must submit a report on how effective it would be to include light trailers and two- or three-wheel vehicles in the legistlation.

The report has to be based on independent studies and will be made available at least six months before any proposals are submitted.

“The commission will assess whether the standards and costs of periodic roadworthiness testing of each category of vehicle is proportionate to the road safety objectives set,” the legislation states.

“The report shall be accompanied by a detailed impact assessment analysing the costs and benefits throughout the [EU], including the specificities of member states.”

H&H reported on the proposals for the current bill two years ago (news, 31 October 2013), when the EU was considering bringing in tests for all caravans and trailers. However, this part of the bill was dismissed in March 2014.

Ref: H&H 1 October, 2015

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now