When Becky Moody and Jagerbomb flew home from their FEI Dressage World Cup final win in Fort Worth, Texas, the celebrated gelding looked, by every outward measure, completely fine. He had a week off in the field, a fortnight of gentle hacking, and was – as she told The Horse & Hound Podcast – “bright as a button and happy”. But the data picked up something his demeanour didn’t.

How does monitoring horse sleep work?

At home, Becky works with EquiConnect, a vet-built AI stable-camera system installed in 12 stables in one of her barns. The cameras monitor sleep patterns – distinguishing between sternal lying, where a horse rests upright, and lateral lying, when they are “flat out and actually getting proper sleep” – as well as how long each horse spends eating and how active they are through the night.

Horses sleep only a few hours a day, most of it standing, thanks to the stay apparatus – a system of tendons and ligaments that lets them doze upright without tiring.

But they can only reach REM (rapid eye-movement) sleep, the deep restorative stage, when lying fully flat in lateral recumbency, because that phase involves a complete loss of muscle tone.

Vets generally cite a need for around 30-60 minutes of lying down a day to get enough REM sleep, and horses that can’t, or won’t, lie down – whether through pain, stress or an unfamiliar environment – can become REM-sleep deprived.

For Jagerbomb, that data proved illuminating. “He only ever sleeps at night – he never lies down during the day,” Becky explains. “So you can’t really know what his sleeping is like unless you’re looking at the camera information.”

And what the information showed, once he was home from the States, was a horse working hard to recover from his travels across the Atlantic.

“It took him about 16 or 17 days to get back to his normal sleeping patterns at home,” Becky says. Across that recovery period, the cameras logged him catching up dramatically: “He was sometimes sleeping five times what he would normally have slept.”

It is the kind of insight that would be invisible to even the most attentive horseperson. Jagerbomb was away for close to two weeks in total – the same long journey out reversed on the way back, with overnight stops at Liège and Dover – and the after-effects on his rest ran far longer than his outward demeanour suggested.

Why over-competing concerns Becky Moody

For Becky, the data underlines something she already felt strongly about: the hidden toll of travel and competition, and the importance of not asking too much of a horse.

“When we talk about horse welfare, this is one of the things that I think is really relevant,” she says.

Even a relatively standard trip carries a significant load. Travelling to an international show such as Rotterdam – where Becky is speaking to us from – can mean a horse spending well over eight hours on the lorry in a single day, she points out, once ferry queues and French customs (“anything between 50 minutes and three hours”) are factored in.

“I can pretty much, even without the data, know that he doesn’t sleep at a show like he sleeps at home,” she says.

Her response has been to build in a more deliberate recovery. After a major effort, Jagerbomb is given an easy couple of weeks: time in the field, or a few days off, followed by gentle hacking.

Becky’s careful to say there is no single rule. Some horses benefit from a fuller calendar, gaining confidence and learning to settle in the competition environment.

But the difference between a local outing and several days of championship-level sport is, she stresses, enormous. “You have to know your horse and what you’re doing and what is best for them,” she says.

It’s a philosophy now backed by hard data – and one she sums up simply: she is “quite a big one for not over-competing”.

• For more insight from top riders and trainers, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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On the latest episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, World Cup winner Becky Moody lifts the lid on what it really takes to fly a horse across the Atlantic – from crates and zip lifts to a sleepless night tracking the flight to Texas.

Becky’s World Cup win on Jagerbomb was one of the standout British performances of the season so far. But as she explains, getting Jagerbomb to the venue in Fort Worth, Texas, was an enormous undertaking in itself – and one she had never attempted before.

“It’s a really big deal to put your horse on a plane and fly it all the way over there,” Becky says. She admits she “ummed and ahhed” over whether to commit at all, weighing the cost and the stress against the experience. But with the Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon in 2028, she ultimately decided it was worth doing.

“I’ve never flown a horse before. He’s never flown before,” she says. “At least I know that he has now flown, and he flew really well. He coped with that side of it brilliantly.”

How does flying a horse abroad actually work?

The journey began with Becky’s long-time groom, Kim Masson, driving Jagerbomb in their 4.5t lorry to Dover for an overnight stop, before a transporter took them on to Liège in Belgium, where most equestrian flights depart Europe – and where the European contingent of World Cup-bound horses were travelling from.

The shipping agent Peden Bloodstock organised the flight itself, quizzing the team in advance on Jagerbomb’s size and how he likes to travel.

“Knowing that Bomb is so big, we made sure he had plenty of room in his crate – extra length compared to some, and plenty of width,” Becky says.

The crates, she adds, are effectively like trailers, taking one, two or three horses apiece: “It’s your first, business, economy kind of thing.” Jagerbomb shared his with just one other horse, and “loaded like a pro”.

Loading and unloading were the most stressful parts, with the horses lifted onto the aircraft using zip lifts. Watching from home as the videos came in from Kim, Becky says she was “biting my nails away”.

“I know showjumpers who are flying their horses all the time, and it’s just normal,” she adds. “But when you haven’t done it before, it’s this enormously big deal.”

She spent much of that first night tracking the flight: “I spent most of the night on Flightradar, just watching Bomb and Kim’s plane as it went all the way up to Greenland and back down again. I didn’t sleep a huge amount!”

At the other end, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport hadn’t received flying horses in some time, so the incoming flight had to bring the zip lift they used to load the horses with them on the aeroplane to unload.

From there it was a 40-minute drive in “huge, super-cool American trucks” to the venue, where – crucially – Jagerbomb could complete his 48 hours of quarantine on-site, with Kim still able to muck out, feed and hand-walk him.

Kim, who had never flown with horses either, made such an impression that she was asked to take charge of the dressage horses on the journey home.

To hear more from Becky on the World Cup win, the spectacle of Fort Worth and her hopes for the World Championships in Aachen, listen to episode 178 of The Horse & Hound Podcast here, or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking equestrian news throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Various UK regions currently face a Met Office red or amber weather warning this week (23–25 June 2026), so we’ve rounded up some suitable Amazon Prime Day portable fan deals to help you keep your horse cool in the stable along with some other great Prime Day deals for equestrians.

Portable camping fans are rechargeable (usually via USB) and can be mounted on a variety of surfaces. Some attach via a clip, which makes them perfect for stall bars or lorry partitions, although we recommend not transporting horses in hot weather as Defra’s guidance states horses should only be transported in temperatures over 30°C if they are in a temperature-controlled vehicle.

Not only are fans useful for cooling, but they are also effective in preventing midges as they struggle to fly in a strong breeze.

Best Prime day portable fan deals

Prime day cooling fan deals

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These floor fans are wall-mountable or can be used outside the stable. Ensure you use a suitable power supply and that all leads and cables are out of the horse’s reach and do not pose a trip hazard.

With much of the UK experiencing intense heat right now, there’s no better time to invest in a fan to help keep your horse comfortable in his stable or when travelling.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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When temperatures rise, ensuring your horse stays cool, comfortable and hydrated on the move becomes a little more complicated. Here’s how to succeed

Travelling horses in hot weather isn’t impossible, but it requires thoughtful preparation to ensure equine welfare is maintained.

In the UK, professional transporters are not allowed to move horses in temperatures exceeding 30°C – and this is a good rule of thumb for private owners to follow.

Tips for travelling horses in hot weather

Here’s how to best ensure equine welfare when transporting horses in hot weather.

1. Do your homework

Try to plan your travel around the weather conditions and avoid travelling during high temperatures and high humidity. If it is unavoidable, pick the times of day when it’s likely to be coolest.

Setting off early in the morning, for example, will make the experience much more pleasant for both you and your horse.

2. Plan ahead

Before setting off, ensure horses are fully hydrated by providing them with unrestricted access to forage and water for at least six hours with plenty of space to rest and relax.

3. What to wear?

While you might usually reach for one of the best travel rugs for a journey, it’s unlikely to be needed in hot weather. Any equipment on the horse’s body may contribute to overheating, the risks are likely to outweigh the benefits on a hot day.

Also consider leg protection. Thick travel boots may cause sweating, when a lighter pair of breathable brushing boots or cross-country boots combined with over-reach boots on all four legs will offer a basic level protection for a horse who typically travels well.

4. Prepare for the worst

While it sounds pessimistic, when travelling by road you just never know when or for how long you might get held up. Therefore, make sure you have plenty of forage and water on board for top-ups to keep your horses happy and healthy, and be confident you know what to do if you find yourself stuck on the road with a horse.

5. Provide good-quality forage

Access to quality forage will help maintain a healthy digestive system and provide an ongoing source of energy, as well as creating a small reservoir of fluid in the horse’s gut to help keep them hydrated.

You could also give a small fibre feed ahead of travel for this reason.

6. Boost airflow

Opening the rear section of a trailer helps draw hot air out while fresh air is pulled in through the windows. But avoid travelling with the front door above the ramp open as there is a risk of flying debris being blow into your horse’s face.

If you have a roof vent, open this at the back, as it also draws warm air up and out of the transport while you are driving. You can also use clip-on portable fans to help keep air circulating.

7. Stick to frequent watering intervals

In normal conditions, horses should be offered water at least every four and a half hours while travelling. In hot weather, that interval should be shorter.

This is at your discretion, but use what you know. How hot and dry is it? Has your horse eaten and drunk well in the hours before setting off? Is he sweaty? Is he overweight? All these factors will help you decide how frequently to stop and offer water.

8. Make water tempting

Anyone who has offered their horse a drink in an unfamiliar place will know that horses can be choosy about the type of container they will drink from and the taste of the water. However, it’s important to stress that this doesn’t mean they’re not thirsty.

If possible, try and take water from home in a large capacity container (like this one) and provide it in a bucket they are used to drinking from.

Additionally, it’s always beneficial to familiarise them to different containers in case you can’t take your own. You can also try flavouring the water with apple juice.

9. Minimise stress

Horses can become dehydrated more quickly when they are stressed or unsettled so try to minimise this wherever possible.

Loading and unloading are two of the main stressors for horses when travelling so make sure you do as much as you can to keep the process calm and relaxed.

Practising often without the pressure of heading to a show or event will help it become second nature.

When you are on a schedule, leave plenty of time to load to avoid time pressure.

Ensure the vehicle is well ventilated and drive carefully to make the journey as comfortable as possible.

10. Prepare for the arrival

As with pre-planning before a journey, it’s just as important to give plentiful forage and water upon arrival at your destination. If you’re travelling to a show or event then make sure your horse has time to relax, graze, eat hay and drink before competing or beginning exercise. You could also feed a rehydration mash.

Risks of travelling horses in hot weather

Dehydration is the greatest risk and can affect any horse.

Signs of dehydration include:

• fatigue
• weakness
• dullness
• loss of performance
• decreased appetite
• abnormal drinking, such as taking longer than usual draughts or gulping
• infrequent urination
• dark urine
• red or congested mucus membranes

Recommended ways to prevent or correct dehydration include:

• making clean, fresh water available at all times
• offering additional water sources with an electrolyte supplement
• administering electrolytes around two hours before travel
• feeding haylage, which has a higher moisture content than hay, or using soaked hay if appropriate
• standing your horse in the shade as much as possible
• offering water after exercise and packing a rehydration mash to administer if necessary

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

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Equestrians are reminded to be aware of the legal requirements involved in transporting horses and tachographs after a rider who thought she was fully compliant was fined £300.

Claire Fielding was pulled over on her way to Aston le Walls on 14 May, she said initially as the DVSA inspectors thought the 12-tonne lorry she was driving did not have a valid MoT.

It did, but the officers then “started looking at everything else” and eventually fined her for not having a tachograph.

Claire had borrowed the vehicle for the day from the firm from which she had bought a new lorry in December; it had issues and had gone back to the company for repair.

“It’s rattled me a bit; I feel I don’t deserve the fine, although I get why I got it,” she told H&H. “But they could pull anyone up and I think they’ll crack down on it, as it’s easy money for them.”

Claire, who missed her event as she was held on the A134 for so long, said the officers were “trying to find something” after they realised the MoT was valid.

“They looked everywhere, they weighed it and then they said, ‘Are you on tacho?’” she said. “I said it was my own horse and they said I was going to a competition, so it counts as hire and reward.

“I said, ‘Half the time eventing, you spend more entering and getting there than you win anyway,’ and they said it could be a rosette; any prize, it doesn’t matter.”

Transporting horses: tachographs needed

The DVSA confirmed that vehicles must have tachographs if they are over 3.5 tonnes and used for carrying goods – including horses – by road.

This excludes vehicles under 7.5 tonnes and those “used for non-commercial carriage of goods”.

“This covers personal use, such as transporting horses for leisure, sport or private activities,” a spokesperson told H&H.

“If you’re transporting a horse for hobby or amateur competitions and any prize money is incidental, this is usually considered non-commercial and does not require a tachograph as long as the vehicle does not exceed 7.5t.

“If you compete professionally or receive sponsorship, transport of horses will count as commercial and a tachograph will be needed.”

There is no form to declare whether an HGV is exempt from having a tachograph, but this must be declared when the vehicle has its MoT.

Tachograph needed

Drivers are responsible for operating the tachograph, to record all their activities, and must be able to produce records for the current day and the previous 28 days, 56 days for journeys to and from an EU member country.

“They didn’t even ask me if I was doing it for work,” Claire said. “I said, ‘This is my hobby,’ but they said it was hire and reward, and I don’t even know if that mattered, because they said I need to be on tacho anyway, so that’s what they got me for.

“They said I needed 56 days of tacho records, but I said I hadn’t had a lorry since December. It was ridiculous and they didn’t even really know. I told the lorry company and they said the tacho disc was down to me and I should have put one in there.”

Claire said the incident highlights the grey area into which equestrian issues often fall and the need for all equestrians to check they are compliant when transporting horses.

“I get why they do it, but it was really frustrating,” she said. “But they were pulling lots of people over; people need to be aware.”

The DVSA spokesperson told H&H: “DVSA’s priority is to keep everyone protected from unsafe vehicles and drivers.

“Vehicles over 3.5t maximum authorised mass (MAM) used commercially, or over 7.5t MAM for private use, must have a tachograph.

“DVSA will take action where non-compliance is detected and depending on the severity of the breach, this may result in prohibitions, fixed penalties or vehicle impounding.”

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

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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

A lorry driver who came to the rescue of a rider stranded on a dual carriageway with a blown tyre has been hailed a “knight in shining armour”.

Coach and stud owner Karen Raine was on her own in a 3.5t lorry with one horse on board when she had a blowout on the A585 near the M55 on 28 April. She called her breakdown provider but was told it might take an hour and a half for help to arrive.

“I wasn’t very far from home,” she told H&H. “As I turned the corner at the traffic lights, I heard the bang, got a few hundred yards from the junction and had to stop, but I was in a live lane.

“The breakdown said ‘Have you got a spare tyre?’ I was only in the little wagon, and I said I wouldn’t even know where to look for it. They said they’re normally underneath but there was no way I was getting under the wagon with everyone coming flying past me.”

Karen said the driver, of an articulated lorry, pulled up in front of her and got out.

“He asked if I was all right and if I had a spare tyre and I said I didn’t know but I wasn’t going to go under the back like that, and he got back in his wagon,” she said. “I thought he was going, but he didn’t. He went back to the lights, did a U-turn and came and blocked the lane I was kind of stranded in, then got under, found the spare and managed to get it off. So by the time the breakdown got there, he was more or less done.”

Karen said the situation had felt very precarious but once the huge lorry was behind hers, she was protected from the passing traffic.

“They had to give me room then, because he had all his flashers on, he was a big artic with a machine on the back so they couldn’t miss him,” she said. “It was a bit scary before then; I think that’s why he stopped, because he realised what a vulnerable position I was in.”

Karen added that the driver, Stevo Monaghan, had trouble getting the spare off the lorry, so she will now make sure she gives it a spray of WD40 every now and then to prevent any such issues in future.

“I just couldn’t thank him enough,” she said. “He jumped in his truck and went, then I came home and thought I had to ring the company and thank him. I didn’t even get a chance to ask him his name but he was my knight in shining armour. They found out who he was, and apparently he got good remarks, but it was really nice.

“He held himself up, he didn’t have to do that, but he obviously knew how vulnerable I was, and it’s nice there are still nice people like that around.”

A spokesperson for LMP Commercials, Stevo’s employers, said they are proud to have him as part of the team.

“We are incredibly proud of Stevo and the calm, selfless way he responded in what was clearly a dangerous situation,” she told H&H. “His actions reflect exactly the kind of person he is – someone who looks out for others without hesitation – and the values we stand for as a business.

“Stevo was brought up on farms and around livestock from a young age, so he understands the potential dangers these situations can present and the importance of acting quickly but calmly to keep people and animals safe. His experience and level-headed approach undoubtedly helped prevent the situation from becoming even more serious.

“We are a family-run company, and that ethos runs through everything we do. Whether it’s on the road, at events, or in our day-to-day work, we believe in helping people wherever we can. The transport industry sees its fair share of challenges, and if we can play a part in keeping someone safe or getting them out of a difficult situation, we always will.

“What Stevo did wasn’t for recognition — it was simply the right thing to do. But we’re delighted to see his actions being acknowledged, and we hope it highlights the positive role that so many drivers play every day, often going above and beyond for others.”

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

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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

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

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The best travel boots provide excellent protection to the horse when he’s being loaded, unloaded and while in transit in a horsebox or trailer. They need to be hard-wearing, so they can protect your horse’s legs from knocks and scrapes, as well as suitably padded to absorb shock.

When transporting horses, along with travel boots you might also want to consider one of the best tail guards and best travel rugs as part of your travel kit checklist.

Best travel boots for every budget

Should horses wear travel boots?

Travel boots protect horses’ legs during transport. They shield against cuts, bruises, and other injuries caused by the confined space and movement of trailers or lorries. Covering from hoof to knee or hock, they absorb shock and stay secure, ensuring consistent protection throughout the journey.

However, improperly fitted boots can cause discomfort, rubbing, and skin sores, stressing the horse. Some horses may also react negatively to the restrictive feeling. Therefore, ensuring correct sizing and gradual introduction is vital for a safe, stress-free experience. High-quality, well-adjusted travel boots significantly enhance horses’ safety during transport.

How to fit travel boots

Start by choosing the right size, ensuring the boots cover from the hoof to just below the knee or hock. Place the boot on the leg, ensuring it aligns properly and covers the intended areas. Secure the straps, starting at the top and working your way down. You want a snug fit without being too tight to avoid restricting blood flow.

Check for any gaps or areas where the boot may rub against the skin. Have the horse walk a few steps to observe if the boots stay in place and don’t cause discomfort. Adjust as needed, ensuring the horse can move freely without the boots slipping or causing irritation.

Can you travel a horse without boots on?

Travelling a horse without boots is possible but it leaves the limbs exposed to a greater risk of injury. Without boots, they are more likely to suffer cuts, bruises, or more severe injuries from kicking or stumbling. For safety, especially on long or rough journeys, using a pair of the best travel boots is strongly recommended.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Some horses travel more frequently throughout their life than others, but a bad journey can have serious consequences, so we’ve put together some tips for transporting horses to ensure both you and your horse have as stress-free a journey as possible.

Between the team at Horse & Hound, we have decades of experience transporting horses of our own, so we know what it’s like to be taking your first solo trip – these tips will help first-timers as well those who’ve been doing it a while.

Tips for transporting horses

1. Pack first, load after

Take the time to pack everything you need – both for the journey and in case of emergency – before you load your horse. This will ensure he doesn’t spend any more time standing on the box than he needs to. View our horse travel kit checklist.

2. Pack extras

Ensure that you carry extra hay and water for your horse, plus warm clothes and refreshments for you, just in case.

3. Always travel with your horse’s passport

Make sure your horse’s passport is on board as it’s illegal to transport your horse without it.

4. Allow plenty of time to load

Don’t rush as loading can be a stressful part of travelling for horses. Make sure you stay calm, too, and avoid getting frustrated if your horse doesn’t load first time.

If your horse is young or inexperienced, practise loading your horse into your vehicle before he is going to travel. Park the lorry or trailer next to a wall, if you can, to help channel him into the box. Also parking your lorry or trailer so your horse is walking towards their stable or field as they load can sometimes help. If parking on sloping ground, position your vehicle to minimise the steepness of the ramp.

5. Use protective kit

Use appropriate protective travel boots or bandages – a lot of damage can be done by hooves and legs becoming trapped under a partition or kicking at the sides, but make sure your horse is comfortable and confident wearing them before you try to load or travel him in them. Some horses are more confident wearing brushing boots or cross-country boots with over-reach boots all-round when travelling, so it’s worth seeing what your horse prefers.

Using one of the best tail guards or bandages will also protect the tail from being rubbed, but take care that they are fitted correctly so they don’t restrict bloodflow to the tail, nor slip down.

6. Use a suitable headcollar

Always use a well-fitting headcollar, with the lead rope tied using a quick-release knot to a thin piece of baler twine or a safety tie. This will allow quick and easy release in an emergency. A leather headcollar or other type of safety headcollar is recommended as these will break if the horse pulls back.

7. Don’t overdress your horse

When travelling, horses typically do not need the same thickness of rugs that they would standing in the stable. Horses don’t feel the cold as much as we do, but a travel rug may be appropriate for some horses.

Being too cool is preferable to too warm, however, especially given that horses expend energy while keeping their balance during transit. Horseboxes and trailers can often get quite warm with horses on board, even on winter days, so ensure good airflow by opening windows and roof vents as appropriate.

8. Never travel without breakdown cover

Take out emergency rescue cover that includes horses and store the membership card in your vehicle – and make sure you’re confident in what to do if you breakdown with a horse.

9. Ensure adequate ventilation

Allow good ventilation en route to prevent respiratory problems. Avoid using dusty hay or bedding, too.

10. Travel the heavier horse on the inside

If you’re travelling two horses in a front- or rear-facing trailer or horsebox, stand the heavier of the two on the side closest to the centre of the road (on the right if you’re in the UK). If you’re only traveling one horse, it is recommended that they stand on this side, too.

Tips for long journeys with horses

1. Plan frequent breaks

On long journeys of more than three hours, pull over and untie the horse so that he can lower his head and drain mucus from his airways. This helps decreases the risk of pneumonia or shipping fever.

Use these rest breaks to offer water and hay from the ground, again allowing the horse to stretch his head down. This will help prevent dehydration, which can trigger respiratory problems and increase the risk of colic.

2. Map vets along route

Work out where veterinary practices are along your route if you’re travelling out of your area. Mark them on a map and record their contact details.

3. Stable en route

Consider leaving earlier and stabling overnight if you can – a long, hot and bumpy ride will takes its toll and tire your horse. The quality of driving also effects the effort a horse must make to maintain balance, so drive smoothly and at reasonable speeds.

4. Be prepared

A big part of having a good journey is feeling confident you know what to do in an emergency. Read up on what to do if you breakdown with a horse on the motorway and ensure you’ve got all the phone numbers you need to hand.

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

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Whether you’ve been travelling your horse for “donkey’s years” or it’s your first solo trip, having a travel kit checklist will help put your mind at rest and ensure you have everything you need for your journey.

This travel kit checklist covers everything your need for your horse, including what he should wear for protection, plus the equipment you need for your lorry or trailer in case you get into difficulty. Do bear in mind, however, that you don’t want to pack so much that you exceed your legal towing limit. Before you set off, complete the packing checklist, do your horsebox or trailer safety checks, read our tips for safe travels with your horse – and don’t forget your horse.

Equipment checklist for travelling horses

Wearable kit for your horse

It’s important that your horse is used to all the kit he might be wearing while travelling. If you dress him up for the first time moments before you take him to a show, he may object to the unfamiliar kit. This will only add to stress levels, so try bits on gradually in advance of his first outing.

• Travel rug – horses do get hot while travelling, so beware of over-rugging as this may cause him to overheat. The best travel rugs have wicking and cooling properties and are a useful addition to your horse’s wardrobe. They will help keep him at a consistent temperature on colder days and offer a bit of rub protection if he leans on the partition. Travel rugs will also come in handy if you have to wait around at a competition.
• Headcollar and lead-rope – ideally the headcollar will be made from leather, as the best leather headcollars will break under pressure, or another form of safety headcollar, such as a field-safe headcollar. Take a spare headcollar and rope, in case either does break.
• Travel boots – these protect the horse’s legs when he’s being loaded, unloaded and during transit. The best travel boots are designed to cover a large part of the horse’s legs, protecting them from knocks and scrapes, and absorbing shock, and are breathable to prevent your horse overheating.
• Tail protection – many horses lean back while travelling and the best tail guards help to protect the tail from being rubbed. You can either use the traditional elasticated bandage, or a tail guard or bag. Not only do these help protect the tail from damage, but they keep it clean during transit.
• Poll guard – these are not so common, but poll guards (like this one) protect the top of the horse’s head from injury.

Other things you need for your horse

• Water carrier and bucket – however short the trip, always take at least a 25-litre carrier (like this one) full of water
• Haynet, plus spare hay or haylage if required – even if it’s just a short journey, this will be essential if you break down. Eating can also help soothe a nervous traveller, and small-holed nets are useful if you want to slow feeding in transit.
• Your horse’s passport – it’s illegal to travel without it
• Equine first-aid kit
• Skipping-out kit and manure bag or trug – clean up after your horse wherever you go
• Tack – if you’re travelling to ride
• Mounting block (like this portable step) if you can’t get on from the ground

Equipment for the lorry or trailer

Just as when you’re driving your car under normal circumstances, you need to make sure your lorry or trailer is kitted out with all the essentials.

• Portable phone charger (I have this one)
• Decent spare tyres for the lorry, or both car and trailer in the case of towing, plus wheel jack
• Human first-aid kit
• Fire extinguisher (like this one)
• Toolkit – you can get roadside emergency kits (like this one) that contain all the items you’ll need if you break down. Or you can put the kit together yourself, including:
  – Warning triangles
  – High-vis vest
  – Tow rope
  – Emergency blanket
  – Emergency hammer
  – Screwdriver
  – PVC tape
  – Jump leads – even if you don’t feel confident enough to be able to use them, at least you can ask someone to help you
• Fuses and spare bulbs
• Tyre pressure gauge and pump (like this one)
• Your important documents, such as insurance certificate, MOT certificate, driving licence and vehicle logbook. It is not a legal requirement to have these in the vehicle while travelling, but you may be asked by the police to produce them within seven days.
• Membership card or details of horsebox/trailer breakdown cover
• Contact numbers for vets en route
• Waterproofs
• Torch
• Map
• Sweets – something to keep you going if your journey ends up taking a lot longer than planned.

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

Did you find this article useful? You may also enjoy: 

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

Many horse owners favour the best leather headcollars over synthetic varieties. As leather should break under pressure, they are considered safer and are advisable if you’re transporting horses. They’re also considered more comfortable for the horse, especially if they’re an ergonomic and padded style.

A good leather headcollar also looks very smart, and should be long-lasting if cared for correctly with one of the best leather cleaner and conditioners. Some leather headcollars also come with nameplates that you can engrave with your horse’s name, which also makes them one of the best personalised gifts for horse lovers.

Best leather headcollars

What is the best headcollar for travelling?

A leather headcollar is considered the best choice for safety reasons. In the event of an emergency, leather will break under extreme pressure or can be easily cut, reducing the risk of injury.

If you don’t wish to use a leather headcollar, you could also consider one of the best field-safe headcollars as they are also designed to break under pressure.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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

An eventer who was stuck with a horse and three dogs on a dual carriageway after a collision said they “all got away incredibly lightly” – and that the horsebox safety gear she had on board in case of an emergency played an important role in keeping them safe.

Sorrel Porteous was on her way to arena eventing last Saturday (7 February) when it is thought another driver had a medical episode at the wheel, and the car hit Sorrel’s lorry.

Sorrel, her friend Joe Osborne who was driving, her three great Danes and horse Bluewater, had to wait on the A23 while emergency services arrived at the scene. Sorrel used the emergency triangles, warning lights, high-vis tabards and other equipment she had stored in the lorry for just such an occasion, bought after the collision in which eventer Nick Gauntlett’s stallion Party Trick was killed.

“I’d bought loads of stuff [see horsebox safety gear below], put it in waterproof bags behind the seats, thinking you never know, one day we might need to use something like this,” she said. “And I cannot explain to you how much that came into play on Saturday, we had everything out.”

Sorrel had not had a straightforward journey anyway; there had been a major accident on the M25 and she had been stuck for hours in the resulting traffic. She had rung the venue Pyecombe to let them know what had happened and was not far away when the accident happened.

“I remember Joe saying ‘My God, who’s this, flying down the central reservation?’” Sorrel said. “The next thing was this almighty bang. She’d clipped the central reservation, spun off, smashed into the side of my lorry, then spun off again.”

An off-duty paramedic and off-duty police officer were among those passing by who stopped to help, while Sorrel called the emergency services. She said she was very worried about Blue and the dogs as the lorry was not even on the hard shoulder. In summer 2021, four horses were killed when Nick Gauntlett’s lorry broke down on the way to Blair and was hit by another vehicle.

“My biggest worry was what happened to Nick, and similar to another event rider who lost two horses,” she said. “We weren’t even on the side in the carriageway, it’s quite a fast road, at dusk, we’d just witnessed a major accident on the M25 and then this.

“I don’t know Nick personally, but when Party Trick died, and I saw this, I said ‘I’m going to buy everything I can for the lorry’. So I went on a shopping spree on Amazon, and anybody who stabled with me that year, for Farley and Wellington, I gave them big warning triangles that you can put in the road behind your lorries, loads of stuff, in memory of Party Trick.

“I could only move the partitions so much but I got Blue as far forward as I could and we put the stuff out. We had triangles, big luminous ones on stands, flare sticks on tripods, we had luminous tabards on. I also had rolls of luminous tape and magnetic lights that go on the back and side of the lorry. I was just pulling everything out, and Joe was running down the carriageway, putting it all out to guide the traffic round and past us, just like they do with roadworks. I feel it really did the job.”

Sorrel said when the emergency services arrived, they said it was the right thing to do, to have the equipment on board, and use it as they did..

“You’re stopping on a fast road at dusk, you’ve got a horse on board who means everything to you, dogs on board who mean everything to you,” she said. “You prioritise making the horses and the dog safe enough so you can help the people in the car while waiting for the emergency services. They took 12-15 minutes to get here and there’s a lot that can go wrong in that time.

“Once they got there, they were amazing but it made me realise about the time between you slamming the brakes on and getting the help that’s required. Once they start coning everything out, you’re safe, but it’s about the time up to that point.”

Blue and the dogs were all unharmed – although Sorrel said her youngest great Dane, Aspen, was “traumatised, and needs counselling!” – but she and Blue did not get to their competition.

“To start with, I was almost thinking ‘I can’t believe we didn’t jump, what a wasted day’,” she said. “But then I thought ‘My horse, my dogs, us, we’re all in one piece. We’re all safe. There were people seriously injured, the poor lady had that terrible accident in her car, but we walked away completely unscathed; two people, three great Danes and a horse.

“We got off incredibly lightly, considering we went through two accidents, and I would say everything that we had on board made a fundamental difference.

Horsebox safety gear overhaul

“People don’t think about this sort of thing; I never did but now I have fire extinguishers on board, I overhauled everything after what happened to Party Trick. There’s so much available on Amazon and it’s not expensive; I’ve dragged mine round from truck to truck – and I was so relieved I had it all the other day. It was quick to get out and quick to put up, and it made the difference, for the horse and other drivers.”

Sorrel tagged Nick in her Facebook post; he shared it, saying: “So many things still bring memories we don’t want back to the front of my mind but nice to hear that maybe our accident helped the outcome of this.”

“All these years later, the only reason I have all those things in my lorry was because of Party Trick,” Sorrel said. “It was so awful that he died but maybe he’s helped a lot of other horses.”

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

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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

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

You might also like:

What you need to know about towing limits for horse trailers to keep your horse safe

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Travelling horses in the heat – and what to do if you get stuck on the motorway

14 travel tips to ensure a smooth journey with your horse wherever you’re going

9 of the best leather headcollars for travelling, competing and everyday wear

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

Equestrians returning from the Continent have been urged to be vigilant after migrants got into a horsebox in Belgium and emerged at the rider’s home in Essex.

Showjumper Alex Bishop was travelling home on his own, with five horses, on 7 December, when the incident occurred. Alex stopped for fuel about an hour’s drive from Calais and drove on without realising five people had climbed into the trailer towed behind his lorry.

“I do not frighten easily, but that frightened the life out of me,” Alex told H&H. “On the Eurotunnel, when you’ve got horses, you have your own section, shut in. I was in my own section with them; I went to the toilet and walked straight past the trailer, not knowing it was full of people.”

Alex said he never stops close to Calais, nor leaves a lorry unattended. But the self-service machine would not accept his card so he had to go in to pay, which is when the migrants must have climbed into the trailer. He drove on to Calais, then headed for home.

“When we were on the M20, a car came up, flashing its lights and the hazards were on, then they pulled out in front and slowed right down with their hazards on,” Alex said.

“I think the people in the trailer were opening the jockey door, trying to get the attention of drivers to make me stop so they could get out on the M20.

“When I got home, about midnight, I stopped and rang Ronnie [Jones, Alex’s partner] to help me unhitch as the lane is pitch black. I got out and heard a slam, and saw the last person running off. I couldn’t see their faces, but they left tents, sleeping bags, a bag of nuts, toothpaste, biscuits, all their stuff when they had to get out quickly.”

Trailer seized

Alex praised Essex Police; officers were on the scene within minutes, but neither a helicopter nor sniffer dogs could find any sign of the people.

“The police seized my trailer but they treated it as if we were victims, thankfully, not suspects, because I could have been in trouble,” Alex said.

“The police said recently, incidents like this have doubled, and they’re targeting horse lorries. You often get grooms’ doors or tack lockers unlocked so people can get in there, on the axles, behind the wind deflectors. They’ve broken bars on windows and cut locks off trailers.

“So the biggest message is to pull over before you go through and check, because you can get done. The police officer said if they found them, he’d have to arrest me. You can be fined £10,000 per person, plus you lose your vehicle.

“A freelance groom told me she got stopped a couple of months ago, there was a migrant on board and she was held for six hours in Calais with the horses while they interrogated her. Luckily, they didn’t press charges but it was a nightmare. So if my story potentially helps someone else avoid this trauma, it’s worth it.”

Caught on camera

Freelance international groom Ludo Langton also had people board his vehicle en route home with five horses.

“I stopped for diesel in Belgium, didn’t think anything of it, then looked at the camera to check the horses and saw two people sitting on my tack locker,” he told H&H. “I just kept going – they couldn’t get to me, but it felt like four hours till I got to Calais.”

Ludo told authorities, but no one would go in the lorry as the horses were on board.

“The police were awful; I had to go in – one migrant was underneath a horse – and the authorities said if it happened again, I could be fined,” he said. “But what was I supposed to do, stop on my own and try to get the people out?”

Ludo’s experience was a few years ago, but he said he has heard of other incidents recently, such as two riders whose ramp was taken down in traffic by migrants.

“I don’t have to drive on my own any more but I will not stop anywhere,” he says.

Any attempts of this type that are witnessed should be reported to the Home Office.

A spokesperson for Essex Police told H&H: “We are investigating reports of individuals concealed in a vehicle on Sunday, 7 December. Our enquiries are ongoing.”

• 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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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

Quentin Wallace, the founder of equine international transport company IRT died on 12 June, aged 77.

Quentin was born in the UK and his first trip to Australia in 1966 “set the course for a lifetime of innovation and adventure”.

He had a brief stint farm working in western Victoria, then having recognised a growing demand for horses in Australia, when he returned to the UK he started shipping horses to Australia by sea.

In 1972 equine disease halted sea transport but Quentin saw an opportunity in equine air transport between the northern and southern hemispheres. Using his knowledge of international travel routes and understanding of horses, he created IRT. Over time the business grew from a one-man vision to a team of more than 100 staff, with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK and Germany.

Quentin worked to streamline the transportation process; to reduce risk and travel time, and to ensure every horse received the highest standard of care. He collaborated with government bodies and key industry partners to turn complex logistics into a seamless, trusted service.

“He wasn’t just moving horses, he was creating an infrastructure, a system, a promise: that horses could travel across the world with safety, care and professionalism,” said an IRT spokesperson.

“He wasn’t driven by recognition, but by results. The result is a legacy that stretches far beyond business; countless horses moved safely around the world, relationships built on trust and a company that continues to set the standard for international equine transport.

“Quentin leaves not just a global company but a global equine community that will carry his vision forward with pride. A pioneer and a visionary, and a true gentleman.”

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So much of equestrian life is undertaken in remote locations. While being deep in the countryside is something we embrace – be it on a rural, mains-free yard, at a fun ride or parked up for a trail hunt meet – there’s one conundrum: no power. That’s where portable power stations for horseboxes are a godsend – and they’re useful for much more than just travel. Plus, many highly-rated models have mega discounts for Amazon Prime Day. If you’ve ever thought about investing in one, now is the perfect time.

Think about it: how many different devices do equestrians use on an average day? Year-round, we want to boil kettles, use clippers, operate fans and use lights. I spent my childhood keeping ponies in a remote field with stables and no electric. If you’ve experienced similar, you’ll have used head torches for everything like I did. Imagine how much easier a proper light in each stable would be!

In short, portable power stations for horseboxes and camper vans are a game-changer if you need off-grid power – or in case of a power cut! In contrast to an old-school, noisy, bulky and fume-emitting generator, portable power stations are quiet, compact and portable. The best portable power stations are fast-charging and have multiple recharge methods, including solar, making them ideal for taking away to fun rides, shows, camps and stay-away competitions. Some can even power household appliances, making them a lifeline in power outages on the yard and at home, too!

Portable power stations for horseboxes: the best Amazon Prime Day deals

With the help of the experts at our sister site, TechRadar, we’ve rounded up the best Prime Day deals portable power stations for horseboxes. Our friends at TechRadar have put hundreds of portable devices through their paces to come up with a list of the best options out there. And we’ve sifted through these to bring you the best Amazon Prime Day deals for equestrians.

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Spillers’ entire new supplement range is on sale for Amazon Prime Day with the biggest saving yet!

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Temperatures in the UK are set to rise again later in the week – most of the country will see highs of more than 27ºC. If you’re planning to stable your horse during the high temperatures, you’ll need to think about how you can keep your horse cool. To help you out, we’ve rounded up some suitable portable fan deals that are part of Amazon Prime Day.

Portable camping fans are rechargeable (usually via USB) and can be mounted on a variety of surfaces. Some attach via a clip, which makes them perfect for stall bars or lorry partitions, although we recommend not transporting horses in the heat of the day. Not only are fans useful for cooling, but they are also effective in preventing midges as they struggle to fly in a strong breeze.

Best Amazon Prime Day portable fan deals

As Amazon Prime Day (8–11 July) is happening right now, there’s no better time to invest in a portable fan to help keep your horse comfortable – and they’ll arrive with free next-day delivery.

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62 best deals for equestrians to buy this Amazon Prime Day – sale ends today!

Pivo just discounted its entire equestrian range for Prime Day – if you’ve ever wanted to record your rides hands-free, now’s your chance!

Credit: SPILLERS

Spillers’ entire new supplement range is on sale for Amazon Prime Day with the biggest saving yet!

Credit: Georgia Guerin

Forget Airpods, these headphones are much safer to wear at the yard – and they’re up to 46% off for Prime Day 2025

Credit: Future

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A five-star event rider said there is a “conversation that needs to happen” on equine welfare, after a horse he was transporting was stuck on board, in a motorway traffic jam, for over three hours.

Will Rawlin was en route to a Burghley young event horse qualifier at Aston le Walls on 2 July with five-year-old Pieterado, and had just reached the M4 when he came to a standstill.

Will told H&H he rang police four times in the three hours he was stuck.

“I didn’t know if there was a rule where after a certain time, or like then, when the horse was thrashing around, that you can be escorted off the motorway,” he said. “It was a welfare situation.”

Will said that although Wednesday was not as hot as the previous few days had been, it was warm. And although he had fans and plenty of water on board, “Pedro” was becoming stressed.

“After three hours, it was still saying online the road wouldn’t open for another two to three hours, and I thought ‘This can’t happen, it’s not fair on the horse’,” he said.

“The police were saying they’d get back to me and log my report but nothing happened. The road did open sooner than expected but just before it did, the horse had one more thrash about and managed to get his leg stuck in the haynet.”

Will said he and his groom Siobhan Binns managed to cut the haynet down. Pedro was unhurt and the traffic began to move so they were able to go home.

“I was only about a mile away from the slip road, it would have been massively possible to turn round and nip back off,” he said. “It was so frustrating, and I just feel the authorities could be more proactive.”

Each police force has its own protocol for this situation; H&H has a guide on what to do if you find yourself stuck on a motorway with horses on board.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police told H&H: “While we do not have a set policy in place for scenarios such as this one, our specially trained roads policing officers do judge each circumstance on a case by case basis.

“The scene of any major incident is often dynamic, fast-paced, challenging and hazardous. We implement road closures so that we can clear the scene of the collision, preserve any potential evidence, treat those who are injured and ensure the safety of everyone else in the area. When making any decision on lifting closures or allowing people access, we have to balance the risks and make the safest decision for those in the area at the time.

“In this instance, the road was being opened shortly after the caller made contact with us for the final time. Our call takers advised the caller of this and advised them to make contact again should the situation escalate.”

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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!”

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Deciding what horsebox insurance you need might fill you with dread, but here's everything you need to know to get you up to speed before you sign on the dotted line

Insurance for a horsebox is a legal requirement and there are a number of policy options depending on the type of vehicle you have and how you intend to use it. It’s important to pick the right policy, as if invalid, any claim will not be honoured. So the first rule is check your policy documents to make sure you have bought the policy that contains all the aspects of cover you need.

The good news is that there is plenty of information available to guide you and equestrian insurance specialists like SEIB, KBIS, Shearwater and The Insurance Emporium have dedicated experts and a range of policies. There are also comparison websites but you need to make sure that you are comparing like with like and that each quotation has the cover you need. The cheapest is not always the best value.

When you look for insurance, make sure you are clear on what category of driver will be operating the horsebox and exactly what you are using the horsebox for. Any breach of the regulations will invalidate your insurance.

DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) has a useful online guide that clarifies the various categories of operators’ licence. This is particularly important if you intend to use the horsebox as part of your business or for reward. This will affect the type of insurance policy you will need to buy.

Breakdown cover is an important consideration if you don’t have good back-up and someone who can come out and rescue you when you have the horse on board. If you have to pay for recovery, this can be very expensive.

What type of horsebox insurance cover?

Fully comprehensive will cover you if you have an accident and pay for your repair bills if it’s a valid claim. It is usually the most expensive but gives you the greatest cover and is the most popular. While policies vary, it will usually cover damage caused to the vehicle by the horse, vandalism and windscreen damage.

Third party fire and theft policies can be cheaper but will usually only cover the costs of the other party if you have an accident which is your fault and loss through fire or theft. You will have to pay for repairing your own vehicle.

Neither kind of policy will cover injury to the horse during transit. You will need additional horse insurance for that.

If you use your horsebox as part of your business you must declare this to your insurance company and purchase the appropriate business policy. For example, if you are a breeder showing your horse with a view to increasing its value, this may class as business use. Or if you are a professional rider transporting to shows and any winnings are part of the business, then you will need a business policy.

If you intend to transport horses for a fee or hire out the lorry, you will need a hire and reward policy.

What about horse trailer insurance?

If you have a trailer rather than a horsebox, then you will legally need to have insurance on your towing vehicle, but check the small print to see what your car policy covers in terms of towing. While it may give you some cover while the trailer is being towed, it is unlikely to cover theft of the trailer, nor cover to get your horse safely home if your towing vehicle or trailer suffers damage or a breakdown.

“As with many aspects that come with owning a horse, buying a trailer is likely to be another big investment in what already has become an expensive hobby,” says Francis Martin, CEO of The Insurance Emporium. “Nonetheless, while your vehicle insurance may cover your horse trailer for third-party liability, it’s wise to consider getting proper horse trailer insurance cover to safeguard it should something unfortunate happen to it.

“By getting specialist insurance, which is tailored to your needs, you could get cover against fire and theft, public liability, recovery, and even replacement hire – meaning if something untoward does happen you’ve got the cover to get you and your horse back on the open road before you know it.”

What are the age restrictions for cover?

Many insurance policies will have age restrictions for the driver. Most will allow drivers from 21 years upwards but it is important to check this. There are insurance companies who will cover drivers under 21, but you can expect to pay a higher premium.

Who can drive my horsebox?

“Most policies will allow you to insure more than one driver for your horsebox and have the option of adding others on for a fee. If you lend your horsebox to a friend, they would only be covered to drive the horsebox should they be named on your policy or you have an ‘any driver policy’. This can have restrictions so check your policy wording,” says a spokesperson at Shearwater Insurance.

It’s useful to have other drivers named on your policy so in the event of an injury to you, they can take your horse home. It is your responsibility to check that anybody driving the vehicle does not have any adverse driving history such as accidents, claims, losses or conviction points.

What does the excess mean?

This is the amount that you will be liable to pay if you have to make a claim. For example, if you have an excess of £150 and are making a claim for £750 to cover the cost of repairs, you will only receive £600 from your insurer as settlement.

How can I keep the costs down?

The cost of insurance is affected by the value and size of the vehicle, its age and mileage and the level of cover required. Vehicles of over 7.5 tonnes will cost significantly more. A newer vehicle will attract lower premiums because the chance of breakdown is lower.

Brokers review their products regularly and if you have a high value horsebox it may be advisable to speak to them directly to get a bespoke quote.

It will be cheaper if you are the only person allowed to drive, but this is not always practical. Make sure you do not over-estimate of the number of miles you will do each year as this can affect the cost.

Can I travel horses I don’t own in my horsebox?

If you transport other people’s horses, providing you are not making a profit, this will still be classed as social, domestic and pleasure use so you will be protected. If you wish to charge more than basic fuel or running costs, you will need to contact DVSA to see if you need a transporting licence and then review your policy with your insurers to ensure you have the correct cover. You may need a hire and reward policy.

What if the horse damages my horsebox?

Most comprehensive insurance policies will cover this, but you will need to check the policy wording.

Are the vehicle contents covered?

Not usually. If you require this, talk to your insurer about extending your cover.

Do I need breakdown/roadside assistance cover?

This is very much an individual choice and depends on how long the journeys are you make and whether you have good back up with additional transport available.

Horseboxes tend to break down more frequently than other commercial vehicles because they are not used so often and tend to be built on an older chassis. Breakdown cover, which starts at around £135, should be with a specialist equine company who can not only repair your vehicle but also recover the horse and take it home if necessary.

Note that most breakdown policies exclude cover for punctures and blowouts if the vehicle does not have a functioning spare wheel on board.

Not all breakdown policies include home start as standard. Without home start you will not be covered for breakdowns within a certain vicinity of your address.

Some insurance companies, including SEIB and KBIS, have breakdown policies which have added extras such as key cover (if lost or stolen), a replacement driver (if the driver has been signed off as medically unfit to drive ie. after a riding accident) or insurance for a replacement driver if they have the appropriate licence, and misfuelling. Standard benefits to check for are home start, roadside assistance and recovery of horse, vehicle and passengers. SEIB also includes help if the vehicle gets stuck in sand or snow, flood or mud, plus recovery.

It is crucial to maintain your horsebox (even in the off season) as failure to do so increases the likelihood of a breakdown and could therefore increase your premium.

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The owner of a pony who was lucky to survive after his hoof went through the lorry floor has highlighted the very real need for meticulous checking of vehicles.

Vets believe Abi and Emma Hardern’s two-year-old Buttons will make a full recovery from the incident on 5 September, when Abi was transporting him and another youngster on the Huntingdon Bypass in their 7.5t lorry. Emma hopes sharing his story will help prevent another such incident.

“The fire brigade chief told Abi they see this across the country and most of the time, the horse breaks its leg on impact and has to be put down,” Emma said.

“Our saving grace was that he’s a small pony and our lorry is high off the ground. If it had been inches lower, his foot would just have been a stump.”

Emma said she and Abi had sold Buttons and the other young horse to some friends, and they were en route to their new home when a lorry driver behind started flashing his lights and hooting, so Abi pulled over.

“The lorry driver came running up, saying ‘Your horse has gone through the bottom of the lorry’,” Emma said. “Then all hell broke loose.”

Vets, police and firefighters arrived and Buttons was taken to hospital. He had worn away half the outside of his hoof, and his sole down to the laminae, Emma said, but is home and comfortable, with a positive prognosis.

She added that the day after the accident, her horsebox was dismantled; it had had a full check when it had its MoT in July but that the rubber mats were sealed to the floor, so it could only be checked from underneath.

“We found there had been a leak at the window so water had run down and rotted the wall, and the floor, right at the edge,” she said. “An inch either side, it was completely solid. It was invisible, until the worst happened.”

Emma advised all other owners to “check, check and check again”, lifting mats frequently, and inspecting floors and ramps. She also pointed out that if people are looking for transport quotes, professionals’ boxes must be consistently checked, so legitimate operators will charge more.

“Remember, you’re paying for safety,” she said. “Don’t second-guess it because it can happen.”

Emma added that having aluminium floors is not a guarantee of safety, with which Byron John of Safety Check Horseboxes agrees.

“Often, I’ll be inspecting a box and someone says ‘It’s ok, it’s got an aluminium floor’, but it’s not,” he said. “Aluminium floors, and the framework they’re on, can corrode as quickly as wood rots.”

Mr John added, as Emma also pointed out, that MoTs do not look at floor or ramp safety.

“An MoT isn’t a service, and other than something that’s an imminent danger; sharp or falling off, this sort of thing isn’t part of it,” he said. “That’s a major misconception, I can’t emphasise it enough.

“It’s very important to address leaks as they occur, close the windows when you’re not using the vehicle, and really check the floor, even if you pay a professional to do it.”

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, which came to Buttons’ aid, told H&H: “Make sure you carry out a thorough check of any vehicle used to transport animals and download the app what3words so that you are able to provide us with an accurate location in an emergency.”

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The owner of a lorry that caught fire on the A1 is appealing to others to take precautions, as she acknowledges how lucky she, her daughter and her ponies were.

Nikki Green has shared the things that helped in her situation, on 13 July, to raise awareness of the importance of the right safety measures.

Nikki told H&H she was travelling her ponies Val and Stu, with her nine-year-old daughter Lucy, for someone to ride Stu in practice for a competition.

“We were just north of junction 50 when someone pulled alongside us and was pointing at the wagon,” she said. “I couldn’t see anything, the dashboard looked fine and it felt ok – then I smelt burning rubber.

“I pulled over and checked the tyres, which were fine, then heard this funny noise. I thought the radiator had gone, looked underneath and saw sparks and flames.”

Nikki told her daughter to get out while she took the keys out and grabbed the ponies’ bridles.

“I thought ‘how am I going to hold two ponies on the side of the A1? We’ll have to flag someone down’,” she said. “This man stopped; he was driving a trailer with two in and he saw the little ‘un waving her arms, stopped and came over.

“I said ‘we’re on fire’, and he just grabbed the first pony and I put the bridle on the other one.”

Nikki praised the “amazing” man who came to her rescue; he not only helped get the ponies off, he put the fire out, using an extinguisher Nikki had in the lorry.

“He not only saved us, he saved the wagon,” Nikki said, explaining that the fire originated in the central bearing, and the damage was relatively minor.

“I don’t know if it would have burned itself out but it was getting close to the gas bottles,” she said.

Nikki said she has replayed the incident in her mind, asking whether or not she could have done anything differently. But her lorry was well maintained, and had passed its MoT a week before, and she had fire extinguishers on board.

What she will change is their positioning; one was on a bracket from which she could not free it and the smaller one, which did put the fire out, was in the living near the cooker.

“Have an extinguisher in the cab so you can grab it straight away,” she said. “I don’t think you can have too many.”

As well as having the extinguishers, Nikki pointed out, they need to be checked and serviced, and she is looking into fire safety sticks, which do not have to be held by a fire to extinguish it.

She also urges others to check their dashboards constantly; she always does so for warning lights and engine temperature, as overheating is a major cause of fires, and to have bridles or similar on board.

“Have bridles for every horse you’re travelling as you never know when you might have to get them out into traffic,” she said. “We’d been testing different bits for Stu so had a few on board, all with bridles, but I wouldn’t have thought of taking one for Val as he wasn’t doing anything. I thought afterwards, maybe I’ll have headpieces with bits, or a Chifney; they’re extreme but you want something to put over their head and take them straight off, and if they get a fright coming off the ramp with an artic coming towards you, you need to have hold of them.”

Nikki also recommends having high-vis on board for humans. in case of accidents.

She has posted about her experience on social media and said she has already had positive feedback.

“A lorry manufacturer said he’d put an extinguisher in the cab of every wagon he sells now, which is really good, and friends have messaged saying they’ve bought them; the message seems to be that people hadn’t thought about it before but they will now.

“We were so lucky in so many ways; the ponies behaved impeccably and they and my daughter are fine and there’s not much damage. We’ve been incredibly lucky.”

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Owners have been warned not to risk human and equine safety, or a criminal conviction, by overloading horseboxes – as many are not aware of the importance of payload.

Kevin Parker, of Kevin Parker Horseboxes, has for years been trying to get the message out to horse owners, but he told H&H: “Most customers don’t know anything about it.”

Mr Parker said many horsebox owners will not have come across the issue of payload or vehicle weights before, but that this is one of the top factors in the search for a vehicle, and he “cannot emphasise enough how crucial this point is”.

If a horsebox is registered as a 3.5, or 7.5tonne, for example, and its total weight is over that when on the road, this is breaking the law. Vehicles that are carrying too much weight can be harder to steer and take longer to stop, as well as putting too much stress on tyres that could lead to overheating or blowouts. 

Carrying excess weight can also mean up to a £300 fine, or a court summons for the worst offences, and it could mean the vehicle insurance will not cover repairs.

“Unlike buying a car, where weight is never mentioned, payload is an integral aspect of horsebox ownership,” Mr Parker said. “For many customers, staying safe and legal means learning a whole new subject.”

Mr Parker explained that the payload of a vehicle is the amount that can be added to its unladen weight without exceeding the maximum authorised mass. To calculate it, the vehicle should be taken to a weighbridge and weighed with all its integral parts but without horses, people, fuel, water or equipment, and this total subtracted from the weight at which it is registered.

“I’ve known of people who advertise boxes with a weight certificate, but they’ve had it weighed without the partitions or back doors, so it’s got a really good payload,” he said. “But then the customer drives away thinking they’re sorted, and that’s not the case.”

Mr Parker advised taking any potential purchase to a weighbridge to determine payload before buying, then loading it and weighing again, bearing in mind an average horse could weigh 600kg, a person possibly 80kg, and fuel and water 1kg per litre.

Another aspect to consider is loading. Each axle can carry a legal maximum weight, say 3.6 for the front and 5tonne for the rear. A fully loaded 7.5tonne could be legal, but removing one horse from the back could mean too much weight on the front axle.

“I have a very good friend who transports horses – her horsebox was weighed with three horses and was legal,” Mr Parker said. “It had a very large one loaded first, then two smaller ponies. After dropping off the two small ponies, the large horse was left in the front stall and when weighed, this time the front axle was overweight. 

“She was lucky enough to get a warning and made to reload the large horse into a middle stall. I often use this as an explanation of horsebox payloads and positioning for customers, and it highlights perfectly how easy it is to fall foul of the law.”

Mark Pickup, CEO of Lion Equestrian Insurance, told H&H that if a lorry is overloaded and involved in an accident, it is likely the insurer will not cover the costs of repair to the vehicle.

“Because it’s breaking the law, and if the accident is caused by that, not only could you be prosecuted, your insurance will probably not cover the repairs,” he said. “It’s unlikely the insurer wouldn’t pay for third-party injury or damage, but they may take a civil prosecution against the policyholder to recover their costs.”

A DVSA spokesperson referred H&H to information on maximum weights and sanctions, adding: “The DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

“Horses are precious cargo, so it’s hugely important that horsebox owners know the weights of their vehicle/trailer as well as the load, to ensure that they are not exceeded. The vehicle or trailer also needs to be properly maintained all year, not just for its annual MOT.”

Drivers must also have the correct licence and operator licence if required, and ensure vehicles are safe to be on the road, with walkaround checks before departure and maintenance.

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The fruitless search for more information from authorities, following a case where 26 horses and ponies were intercepted before they were exported, has highlighted the very problem of how vulnerable horses can fall through the cracks.

H&H reported on the case, made public by World Horse Welfare, where an overloaded transporter containing “frightened and vulnerable” horses – some believed to be destined for slaughter in Europe – was stopped at Dover. 

Of the 26 on board when the transporter was stopped on 25 November, only 19 had the necessary paperwork for their journey. Many of the horses had health issues, some were pregnant, at least one pony was infected with equine influenza and 13 had been signed out of the food chain.

In April, World Horse Welfare announced that the first of the expectant mares had delivered a foal at the charity’s Norfolk rescue and rehoming centre. World Horse Welfare is a charity, not a prosecuting body or public authority, so H&H sought to check with authorities as to whether there had been any arrests in the case.

Kent Police and Port of Dover Police each suggested H&H try the other. Kent Police also suggested contacting the Home Office/Border Force, which in turn told H&H to direct its query to Defra. HMRC said this was not a case that involved them and also suggested H&H try Defra.

When H&H approached Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Dover District Council – whose administrative areas include Eurotunnel and the port respectively – and asked if they had been involved in the case, both said they had no involvement. Dover District Council added that live animal exports are not an area of work over which it or Dover Port Health Authority have any jurisdiction.

World Horse Welfare has long been lobbying for robust enforcement of the law.

“No prosecutions have been raised as a result of the ‘Dover 26’ being abandoned after they were discovered, almost certainly being illegally smuggled out of the UK, and despite our urging no local authority has taken enforcement action,” World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told H&H. 

“The only action that has been taken was by the APHA [Animal Plant and Health Agency] which revoked transporter authorisation for the vehicle the horses were discovered in. 

“While we applaud this action, far more robust enforcement is needed to stop this murky trade where so many horses suffer. For this to happen, it is imperative the Government introduces legislation now for a fully digitalised and centralised traceability system for all equines, and import and export documentation. 

“The stark reality is that we are only picking up the crumbs of a trade that covers the whole of Europe. And it’s a significant trade, with one trader alone moving nearly 1,000 equines a year.”

H&H approached Defra initially to ask if it was aware of any arrests, then to ask whether it or the APHA would like to comment on any action taken in relation to the case, and if Defra would comment on how the law will be enforced, following the new ban on live exports for slaughter, which came into effect last week (news, 23 May).

A Defra spokesperson told H&H the department does not comment on individual cases, but offered general background information.

The spokesperson quoted requirements and laws surrounding transportation of animals and added that the APHA takes potential breaches of animal welfare legislation very seriously and will take appropriate regulatory action. He also said that the local authority, which holds primary responsibility for the enforcement of the animal welfare in transport legislation, may also be notified and will consider any appropriate enforcement action.

 In regard to live exports, the spokesperson said the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024 will put a permanent end to the export of horses for slaughter and that Defra will be engaging with the horse sector and enforcement bodies on approaches to implementing the ban to ensure vulnerable horses are protected. 

H&H understands that Defra wants to work with the sector to ensure that the ban is effective and prevents horses being exported for slaughter, without imposing burdens on legitimate transporters of horses.

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson told H&H that Kent Trading Standards were notified when the horses were intercepted in Kent, and that ensuring animal welfare is an “important part of Trading Standards’ work across the country”.

“Our officers worked with APHA to investigate and determine responsibility and location of any offences, finally passing this to the appropriate local authority for them to consider taking further action.”

A KCC spokesperson added on Friday (31 May) that the appropriate local authority is Lancashire County Council.

H&H contacted Lancashire County Council for comment, who said that it is one of several local authorities are involved in this complex investigation, which has been passed to County Durham. A spokesperson Durham County Council told H&H on Monday (3 June) that the investigation has not come to them, and that they do not believe that there is any link to Durham at all.

* Story updated on 30 & 31 May, to include comments from Kent County Council; and on 3 June to include comments from Lancashire County Council and Durham County Council *

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Concerns have emerged about the inland border facility (IBF) at Sevington, as one owner has described it as “a shambles”.

Sam Dean contacted H&H after a bad experience at the facility, near Ashford, Kent. H&H has reported that the border control post (BCP) for horses returning from Europe is due to open there this autumn. For now, it is here drivers must go to have their carnets stamped.

Sam said she and her daughter had already had an “awful” journey back from Sentower, Belgium, which took two days owing to farmers’ protests, when they arrived at Sevington at about 4pm on 2 February.

“The new facility is a shambles,” she said. “We had everything ready to be checked but it was packed and my allocated parking space was taken. The parking man was shouting, saying I needed to wait, the spaces are too tight; there were lorries everywhere trying to park in these too-small spaces, but I eventually managed to find one.

“I wore my high-vis and went to get the carnets stamped but they said the office was shut as their computer system had gone down at midnight and they didn’t know how long we’d have to wait.”

Sam said she was told she could wait, as other drivers seemed to be, or leave and go back later. She rang her shipping agent, who said the only other option would be to travel to Heathrow, an 80-mile journey on the M25 at rush hour.

“My young horse was getting stressed; I thought he would colic. I didn’t think going to Heathrow would be safe for me or my horses; I had no choice but to take them home. I realised I either had to agree to pay a fine or let my horse colic, so I put my horse first and drove home without my carnet stamped.”

Sam said she had no idea what the fine would be for not having the carnets – documents on which horses and equipments must be listed – stamped, but that she could not risk her horses’ welfare.

“I’ve had one operated on for colic and I never want to do that again,” she said. “I thought we just had to go.”

Sam also questioned the purpose of the checks; she had paid £645 for the horses’ health papers before the trip, and her carnets had been stamped in Calais, so “where do they think I’ve managed to hide the horses in between?”

“I’d done everything right, but I couldn’t overcome the situation they put me and my horses in,” she said. “The way lorry drivers and their companies are treated is diabolical. The lack of animal welfare is shameful. Why should I be fined for putting horse welfare first?”

Lauren Hirst, UK shipping manager for Peden Bloodstock, told H&H Peden has heard Sevington is not an ideal facility.

“We have heard they don’t prioritise livestock and it can take hours for carnets to be stamped,” she said. “Most of our clients still choose to go to Motis at Dover Western Docks and pay the £10 for parking as they have heard bad things about Sevington and don’t want to take the chance.”

Jan Rogers of the British Horse Council, who has been working with the Government to try to ensure things run smoothly when the BCP opens, told H&H she was grateful to Sam for reporting the issue.

“We are very concerned to hear about these experiences and the more people that notify of delays and worrying experiences, the more examples we have to illustrate processes that need to be investigated,” she said.

“Delays involving live animals need to be avoided at all costs, and facilities need to be of a suitable dimensions for equine transport vehicles to access safely. Contingency measures need to be in place for system errors; long backlogs are very worrying when it comes to horse wellbeing.”

A spokesman for HMRC told H&H “Sevington IBF processes hundreds of customs checks each day and we strive to provide the highest levels of service. We are investigating the issues raised by this customer to see what happened in this case.”

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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

Across the country today (11 November), those who have died in the line of duty will be remembered with two minutes’ silence at 11am.

Armistice Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War One on that date in 1918 — and the role that horses played during the Great War is something that must never be forgotten.

In 2015, two rare horse–lifting boxes that were used to transport the army horses to and from the frontline, were discovered and subsequently displayed at an exhibition by The Horse Trust at its home of rest for horses in Speen, Buckinghamshire.

Many myths had grown up regarding the fate of the British army horses at the end of the Great War and the welfare of war horses throughout the conflict, and so The Horse Trust commissioned military historian Dr. David Kenyon to research the role of British horses throughout the war years.

When the exhibition was opened to the public in August 2014 as part of the centenary commemorations of the outbreak of war, the trust searched far and wide for genuine artefacts of the period.

After some persistence, Horse Trust Chief Executive Jeannette Allen tracked down this pair of heavy horse-lifting boxes that appeared to have been used in the monumental mobilisation and de-mobilisation.

These sort of boxes offered a much kinder way of lifting horses that would otherwise be hoisted with slings when tides or unsuitable wharves made gang-planks impossible.

It was, by any measure, a herculean task. As they set sail for France in 1914 the British Expeditionary Force in France took 165,000 horses, the vast majority of them requisitioned and collected in just 12 days. It was truly a miracle of organisation and co-operation, but one of the greatest challenges of that mobilisation was the ongoing transportation of the horse to the battlefields in France.

The horse lifting boxes were fundamental to getting the horses to France through east London’s dockyards. Unlike soldiers, horses don’t walk up steep gangplanks very easily, so this sort of lifting box would be hoisted over the gunwales of a ship by crane and lowered into the hold where horses were stabled. Those same boxes were used in 1918 to bring over 60,000 horses back home through those same docks, although many thousands more did not make the return journey.

Thankfully the vendor was able to authenticate their provenance. Anthony Reeve of LASSCO (London Architectural Salvage and Supply Company) explained: “The boxes had come from the Museum of London where LASSCO had helped the Museum of London clear vast stores of non-accessioned collections from the Royal Docks, London. Amongst the anchors, gang-planks and cannon were two large crates — like heavy duty carts without wheels.

“These were ‘horse-lifting boxes’, rare survivors, originally from the London dockyards. With a door at each end, lifting points at each corner, remains of a padded interior and iron hoops over the top, to prevent a horse rearing.”

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Professional riders competing in Europe should be aware of new tachograph legislation coming into force, as calls are made for more education around “confusing” driver rules.

Under the EU “Mobility Package I” a number of changes were announced to tachograph regulation for vehicles undertaking international journeys, including horseboxes. These changes are being implemented in stages; from 21 August 2023 newly registered goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with a “smart tachograph 2”. From 31 December 2024 goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes that have analogue or digital tachographs must replace them with a smart tachograph 2 or transitional smart tachograph. Vehicles fitted with a “smart tachograph 1” have until 19 August 2025 to retrofit a smart tachograph 2.

A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman told H&H the department has been “engaging closely with [the] industry to increase awareness about these new rules, phasing implementation to ensure they can bed in smoothly”.

But although the Mobility Package I was announced in 2020, gaining clarification on the rules has been difficult. The guidance on the UK Government website has still not been updated, and a spokesman for the DVLA told H&H the updates “should come soon”. A further legislation change will come into force in July 2026 whereby 2.5-3.5 tonne goods vehicles undertaking EU travel must have tachographs fitted, but confusion has arisen over whether this applies to newly registered vehicles or all vehicles, and the Department for Transport did not respond to H&H’s request for clarification on this.

Owen Evans of Essex Driver Training Ltd told H&H that the biggest concern is the retrofitting of tachographs on older vehicles from 2024 onwards, the onus of which will fall on horsebox owners who will need to be aware of the new requirement and make the change – in new vehicles the tachograph will come fitted by the manufacturer.

“It is confusing as there are so many different rules,” he said, adding that there needs to be more education among the equestrian community when it comes to driver rules.

“Even when you look something up online and think ‘That’s me’, it’s not always the case in the horse world because there are different circumstances that you can come under, for example whether you’re private or not – and that doesn’t happen with normal haulage. That’s why some people pick and choose what rules they want to abide by.”

As another example, Mr Evans cited operator licences, a topic that has come under much discussion in the horse world. H&H has reported on operator licences and the legal consequences of not complying (news, 3 September 2020), and last August the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued a reminder to horsebox drivers about who needs an operator licence.

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. A DVSA spokesman confirmed to H&H last year that even if somebody does not charge directly for transporting a horse, but instead charges them for livery or training and offers transport as part of the service, that is considered “commercial use” – and a hire and reward operator licence is is needed if the vehicle or vehicle and trailer combination is over 3.5 tonnes.

But despite continued coverage on the topic, Mr Evans said many professional riders continue to transport horses without an operator licence.

“You can get stopped when driving any time, and so many people are doing it wrong,” he said.

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

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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.”

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

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Drivers could be allowed to drive lorries up to 7.5t without taking an additional test in new Government proposals.

A return to previously held “grandfather rights”, by which those who passed the driving test before 1 January 1997 could drive larger vans and smaller lorries, including horseboxes, up to 7.5t, is among options being considered by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Under current rules, those with a standard car licence may only drive vehicles weighing up to 3.5T, which led to increased demand for small horseboxes.

The DfT is looking at “options to streamline driver licensing and support jobs” in a call for evidence to “help create new opportunities in logistics and support the UK supply chain”. An effect of this would be to give many more horse owners the right to drive a horsebox weighing up to 7.5T.

H&H reported last year on the Government’s decision to scrap the trailer test as part of plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage, so most drivers can now tow a horse trailer without an extra test.

Efforts to mitigate the “global driver shortage” continue, which the Government hopes will support new jobs and “bolster the UK’s supply chain”.

“The views submitted by members of the public and industry professionals will help answer important questions and assist the government with ongoing research into how post-Brexit freedoms are used to remove red tape and create opportunities for people across the country,” a DfT spokesman said.

“Questions around reintroducing grandfather rights explore whether the UK should allow those who hold a normal car driving licence to drive certain larger vans or smaller lorries up to 7.5 tonnes. Prior to 1 January 1997, people who passed their driving test for a normal car also obtained the right to drive heavier, larger vehicles – these entitlements were removed by the EU.

“No decisions have been made on whether these rights should be reintroduced and the Government is keen for views from a wide range of stakeholders to inform its future approach to the issue, as well as the rest of the areas under consideration in the call for evidence.”

The spokesman added that any changes would “need to ensure” safety on the roads and be “economically proportionate”, and that there could be age- or experience-based restrictions, which is covered in the questions asked in the call for evidence.

• Contribute to the consultation on the government website

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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

British dressage rider Lewis Carrier has spoken of his “heartbreak” after a paperwork error meant he was forced to withdraw from his last ever under-25 European Championships (24-28 August) and return home from Calais.

Norfolk-based Lewis was selected to represent Britain in Hungary with his own Diego V, alongside teammates Lucy Amy with Rudy and Dylan Deutrom with San Marco. The three horses were transported together from Dover to Calais last Friday morning (19 August) but when they arrived at the border control point in France, a mistake was discovered in Diego V’s veterinary paperwork.

Lewis told H&H a line was scored out in error in the 33-page document.

“I don’t want to blame anyone because the vets and transport company did everything they could to help when the error was noticed. It was agreed the other horses would continue onwards, and Diego was unloaded and went into basically a warehouse where they have around 40 stables, on his own,” he said.

“We were told by border control at around 10am that if we sorted out the paperwork we would be allowed through. So we spoke to our vets in the UK and had them write up new paperwork, my dad Andrew drove the papers from Norfolk to Dover, they were shipped over to Calais and arrived that evening. We gave them to border control and they said ‘No we’re still refusing you and there’s nothing you can do. You have to return to the UK’.

Lewis said it transpired that because the vet had not seen Diego V when the new paperwork was completed in the UK, this meant the papers were not valid.

“Border control didn’t tell us this – so anything we did wasn’t going to work anyway. We thought it was as simple as write up brand new paperwork – exactly the same as the original but without the mistake – and then off we’d go,” he said.

“We waited around all day because we thought what we were doing was the right thing. We eventually got a ferry back to Dover at 1.30am, after Diego had been alone for more than 12 hours. Thankfully he was none the worse, but some horses would have been pretty distressed. I wouldn’t wish that on any horse.”

Lewis considered trying to get a third lot of paperwork on Monday (21 August) and travel back across the Channel on Tuesday, but decided against it, in the interest of Diego. Therefore he was forced to withdraw from the competition – which would have been his last under-25 Europeans.

“It’s such a shame – all the effort from people to make this happen and it was all for nothing. It’s just heartbreaking,” said Lewis.

“It’s really disappointing not to do my last under-25s, because God knows when the opportunity to get on a team will come up again.”

Lewis hopes to make other riders aware of what can happen when travelling abroad, and believes the system should be changed.

“I posted on social media and some people said, ‘Well, if the paperwork was correct you would have been able to go abroad’. Yes an error was made, but that’s not the point. An error should be fixable and shouldn’t mean you can’t cross the border,” he said.

“The paperwork has to be done within 24 hours of? travel but I think that’s too tight when it can take hours and hours for a problem to be resolved. I don’t want anyone to be in the same situation as me, and I really feel people should know what to do in these situations. I remember hearing about Gemma Stevens’ [Tattersall] and Emile Faurie’s issues previously but you don’t think it will happen to you.

In Lewis’s social media post he said he had been put off travelling abroad, but he has since decided he will aim for the World Cup qualifier in Stuttgart, Germany, in November.

“I feel a bit better now having reflected on everything,” he said. “The Europeans feels like a missed opportunity, so I want to compete abroad before the end of the year. I have definitely lost a lot of confidence in the travel system, but the main thing is I have a healthy horse.”

You might also be interested in:

‘I sat on the ramp and cried’: top riders’ welfare fears after horses delayed for hours in transit

Top rider’s frustration as border paperwork error means horses turned back at Calais

I don’t see the reasoning behind it; it’s politics playing games with people’s lives and not caring about the welfare

Graham Fletcher: ‘Competition horses are still facing horrendous delays waiting for paperwork checks at customs’

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

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.

You might also be interested in:

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

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Horsebox drivers must follow rules or risk losing everything

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

The best travel rugs for horses are versatile and often double up as cooler rugs and show rugs, or vice versa, as they share a lot of main features. They should be breathable and wicking in order to prevent overheating and keep your horse at a consistent temperature while traveling, but they also need to keep your horse warm if he’s standing around at a competition.

As with any rug, a good fit is important, as is good quality materials and fastenings. The fastenings should also be easy to use as you’re likely to find yourself putting it on and taking it off in some trickier than usual situations — the last thing you want on the morning of your dressage test at a new venue is a rug that’s tricky to take off.

A really good travel rug will last and you’ll find yourself using it time and time again, whatever the season. Finally, if you’re planning on travelling your horse in your new rug to competitions, it’s a bonus if it’s smart and matches your travel boots.

Best travel rugs for horses

WeatherBeeta Wick Dri II Cooler Combo Neck

Colours: Charcoal/blue/white | Sizes: 4ft – 7ft3in | RRP: £84.99 |

This lightweight, breathable and highly wickable cooler from Weatherbeeta has a Cooldry fleece upper to offer additional protection to the major muscle groups and a mesh lower for airflow. It has a combo neck with a hideaway neck pocket with touch-tape closure to easily fold the neck portion away. It has a fleece wither relief panel, single adjustable buckle front closure, single hidden adjustable surcingle and tail cord.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

DefenceX System WicX Cooler Rug With Detachable Neck Cover

Colours: Navy | Sizes: 5ft6in – 7ft3in | RRP: £69.99 |

This sophisticated cooler rug made by Hy is breathable and will help wick away moisture from the body, making it ideal for after exercise, bathing or while travelling. It looks smart and the detachable neck cover, top and front of the rug are lined with soft navy fleece to provide comfort and warmth. The fleece-lined wither area prevents rubbing and the adjustable surcingle is fastened under the rug for a discrete finish.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

LeMieux Arika Air-Tek Sheet

Colours: Black, grey or burgundy | Sizes: 5ft6in – 7ft | RRP: £49.95 |

This very light mesh sheet from LeMieux is ideal for the hottest conditions and the linear cooling strips provide maximum air flow over the whole body. The lined chest section has an adjustable front fastening to aid a good fit along with simple cross surcingles. There is an embroidery area on the back corner for personalisation.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or naylors.com

Mark Todd Coolex Cooler

Colours: Navy/white, navy/red, burgundy/white, black/silver or grey/plum | Sizes: 5ft6in – 7ft | RRP: £69.99 |

This multi-purpose rug by Mark Todd is made from an advanced triple layer fabric that ensures optimum temperatures are consistently maintained – cool on warm days and warm on cold days. It can also be used when your horse is wet – for example, if you wash him off before heading home.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk

Rhinegold Smart-Tec Waffle Weave Cooler Rug

Colours: Turquoise check | Sizes: 4ft6in – 7ft3in | RRP: From £34.99 |

This Rhinegold rug is described as technically advanced – it spreads moisture over a wider surface area for faster evaporation, which prevents a chill. It features double chest straps, cross-over surcingles and a fillet string.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk

Supreme Products Dotty Fleece Rug

Colours: Red or pink | Sizes: 3ft3in – 7ft | RRP: £34.99 |

This smart and versatile soft fleece rug by Supreme Products features a soft fleece wither area, twin front closures, two adjustable surcingles and a filet string keeping it firmly in place offering a comfortable fit.

In the UK? View now at gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk

Thermatex Original SHR

Colours: 23 options | Sizes: 4ft – 7ft3in | RRP: From £179.95 |

This Thermatex rug is made of three layers of fabric that each works in its own way to help keep horses at their optimum body temperature. When placed on a wet horse, the fabric draws away the moisture before releasing it into the atmosphere, and the middle layer of polypropylene ensures your horse remains warm and comfortable.

In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk

Premier Equine Ventoso Mesh Cooler

Colours: Green, navy or black | Sizes: 5–7ft | RRP: £44 |

This Premier Equine mesh cooler works on the basis of allowing the dispersion of warmth and the transportation of moisture while maximising breathability to aid drying. It has a fleece wither pad, lined chest with T-bar front chest fastening and is anti-static treated.

In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk

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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.

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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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

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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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

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

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.

Former international showjumper Graham Fletcher, who is now a highly respected trainer, breeder and producer of young horses, speaks out on the equine health and welfare risks caused by red tape at customs

THAT no one appears interested in addressing horrendous delays to top competition horses’ journeys abroad is ironic, when the EU is reviewing its animal transport regulations.

Indeed, World Horse Welfare has identified this moment as a golden opportunity to improve conditions for horses being transported across Europe for slaughter. As such, campaigners are calling for a maximum, finite 12-hour journey limit for horses intended for the abattoir. They want any journey over four hours to be defined as “long”.

All horses – even those going for meat – deserve respect and care. But surely world-class sport horses shouldn’t be facing the same appalling travelling conditions as those poor horses on their way to the slaughterhouse?

I well remember awful and lengthy waits at border crossings years ago. But once we went into the EU, you flew through customs. Why should our equine athletes be treated so very differently post-Brexit? Each time they win an international class, the national anthem is played, so don’t they deserve something better on their travels?

Brexit hasn’t brought about delays for people crossing borders. And, just like human passengers, our horses still have the same passports as they’ve had for years. So why should they be made to suffer, risking colic and dehydration by being held up at customs? And, yes, I’ve heard of quite a few cases.

I’d like to see the pen-pusher who sold us down the river sit in a hot tin box in a four-to-eight-hour queue every time he wanted to travel to Europe.

It’s inhumane to treat horses like inanimate cargo. Yet they have to stand on wagons while vets inspect 32 pages of paperwork – 16 pages in English and 16 pages in French – per horse. And I’ve rarely seen them actually look at the horses.

And God forbid if there’s even the slightest thing wrong with it. I heard recently of seven horses being subjected to 16 hours on a wagon because one had a stamp missing from its paperwork.

No longer financially viable

SPEAKING to Peter Charles in Madrid, he told me since Brexit it’s costing him an additional £1,000 per horse per trip. Therefore, with around 300 horse journeys to the continent for his three jockeys, it’s costing him a whopping extra £300,000 annually. And what do you get for your money? Bureaucracy and red tape!

Although he didn’t want to, Peter’s now renting a yard in Belgium to cut costs by keeping horses in Europe. And I totally understand why – it’s no longer financially viable to go to one show abroad, you need to spread the expense.

Northern Irish riders have got round the customs problem by avoiding England altogether and sailing from Dublin to Cherbourg. An 18-hour sea crossing is not ideal for horses on their way to compete, but they reckon it’s quicker in the long run.

World Horse Welfare, the RSPCA, the Government… not one of them seems to care about this appalling situation. And while I’m sure not many of you will be too worried about riders’ extra costs, I’m sure all of you will be concerned about the cruelty that has been unleashed onto our wonderful horses.

I really hope something can be done, but it never can when people just sit still – which is why I’m urging you to contact the Rt Hon George Eustice MP, minister for the environment, food and rural Affairs. His email is george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk

“They must be deluded”

WHEN my son Olli and I were travelling last Wednesday to compete in Italy on Thursday, like so many others we had our 7am Easyjet flight cancelled.

If you miss the first day of a show you miss your chance to qualify for the grand prix, so it was all hands to the pumps to find another flight.

Shortage of staff was cited for the cancellation. The same goes for the lack of people to fill catering and leisure jobs as the post-Brexit exodus continues. If the Government thought the shortfall would be taken up by the unemployed, they must be totally deluded about life’s realities.

• This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 23 June.

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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

It’s important to ensure your horse’s tail is adequately protected while travelling in a lorry or trailer, and tail guards for horses, which sometimes come with bags, are becoming more popular as alternatives or additions to the more traditional elasticated tail bandage.

The best tail guards, with or without bags, will offer a good level of protection while also helping to keep it clean during transit. As well as being quick and easy to put on, adjustable and secure-fitting, they should be machine washable as they’re likely to get pretty dirty with a single use.

An incorporated bag means that the whole tail is covered and kept clean, so if you’re off to a show these are a particularly handy. Many of the bags are also detachable, which gives you the option of using the tail guard without the bag if you prefer.

Here’s a selection of the best tail guards for horses as tested and reviewed independently by Harriet Rimmer.

Best tail guards for horses

Hy padded tail guard

Sizes: One size | Colours: Blue | RRP: £5.99 | H&H Rating: 10/10, H&H Approved |

This padded, wipe-clean tail guard is described as quick and easy to use, with a series of touch tape fastenings for a snug fit.

We liked how cushioned and padded it was and that, despite this, it never slipped or moved while being worn.

Read H&H’s independent Hy tail guard review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk 

LeMieux ProSport tail guard with bag

Sizes: One size | Colours: Black, brown or navy | RRP: £29.95 | H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved |

This tail guard has elasticated fastenings to get the most secure grip and can be used with or without the detachable waterproof bag.

We found that the slightly shorter tail bag kept the horse’s tails up and out of the way of their legs, which was great if they were particularly messy while travelling.

Read H&H’s independent LeMieux tail guard review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or ebay.co.uk

Bucas tail protector and bag

Sizes: One size | Colours: Black or navy | RRP: £22 | H&H Rating: 8/10 |

This tail guard has an elasticated fastening around the tail as well as an addition touch-tape loop that allows you to attach the tail guard to compatible Bucas cooler rugs.

We found it offered good protection and had a lovely fleecy lining, but would have preferred the guard at the top to have been longer.

Read H&H’s independent Bucas tail guard review.

In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk

Shires Arma tail guard with detachable tail bag

Sizes: One size | Colours: Black | RRP: £17.99 | H&H Rating: 8/10 |

This tail guard has a detachable pull-through tail bag that helps keep the tail tidy and clean. It also features a rubberised inner lining and touch close fastenings to help keep it in place.

We found it fitted very well and was a great length and shape. It offered good protection, but perhaps didn’t have as much padding as others tested.

Read H&H’s independent Shires tail guard review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, naylors.com or ebay.co.uk

Woof Wear tail guard

Sizes: One size | Colours: Black or navy | RRP: £19.99 | H&H Rating: 7/10 |

This tail guard is ergonomically designed and made from thick neoprene that is also laminated with plush fabric.

We found it fitted very well and the straps were a really good length, meaning there were no restrictions to adjusting the fit. It was also long enough to cover and protect the whole tail bone properly.

Read H&H’s independent Woof Wear tail guard review.

In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or ebay.co.uk

Eskadron tail guard

Sizes: One size | Colours: Black | RRP: £18.95 | H&H Rating: 7/10 |

The main part of this tail guard is made from 5.5mm thick neoprene with a fleece lining, while the unlined neoprene section at the bottom ensure the tail guard doesn’t slip.

We liked the length of the tail guard as it covered the tail bone from top to bottom — it offered great protection at the top of the tail and it laid flat with minimal interference.

Read H&H’s independent Eskadron tail guard review.

In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk

Premier Equine padded tail guard with tail bag

Sizes: One size | Colours: Black, burgundy or navy | RRP: £25 | H&H Rating: 10/10, H&H Approved |

Made from neoprene with a non-slip lining, this tail comes with an optional cotton tail bag that can be attached with Velcro.

We liked the simple, easy-to-apply design – it did exactly the job intended. It fitted the tail really well and is great value for money.

Read H&H’s independent Premier Equine tail guard review.

In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk

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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

Plans to launch a clean-air zone in Greater Manchester this spring have been shelved.

In October 2020 H&H reported on plans announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to introduce the clean air zone, which had been due to open in May. Under the plans, non-compliant vehicles – including horseboxes – over 3.5tonnes would pay £60 per day to drive in the zone, but a discounted rate of £10 was to be available for vehicles that are privately owned. After 1 June 2023, non-compliant vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, including some small vans and flatbed trucks would pay £10 per day.

The plans were met with backlash and concerns from the public around financial hardship – and from the equestrian world including show centres, competitors, and owners who faced being charged to tend to their horses if they drove older vehicles.

But on 23 February TfGM announced the Government has agreed that the zone will not go ahead on 30 May. Greater Manchester’s clean-air leaders have deemed the current plan – developed under a legal direction to meet air quality limits by 2024 – “unworkable” and that it could have created financial hardship for people owing to changes in the availability and affordability of “cleaner vehicles”.

Greater Manchester’s clean-air leaders now have until 1 July 2022 to work with the Government to develop a new plan that will “clean up the air while protecting livelihoods”.

Clean-air signs already erected around Greater Manchester will be covered, and applications for discounts and exemptions have been paused. HGV funding remains open to support people to upgrade and help deliver improved air quality.

“ANPR cameras that have been installed will be utilised, under agreement with Government, to gather real-time data to inform the new plan, including monitoring vehicle fleet renewal trends and specific traffic mix at key locations where nitrogen dioxide levels are in breach of legal limits,” said a TfGM spokesman.

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

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Concerns have been raised that clean air proposals could affect animal welfare if owners have to pay daily charges to check on them.

In October 2020 H&H reported on plans announced by Transport for Greater Manchester to introduce a clean air zone in Greater Manchester, which was followed by an eight-week public consultation. In July 2021 plans were finalised and put to the area’s 10 local authorities for approval.

Under the plans, from May 2022 non-compliant vehicles – including horseboxes – over 3.5tonnes must pay £60 per day to drive in the zone, but a discounted rate of £10 is available for vehicles that are privately owned. After 1 June 2023, non-compliant vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, including some small vans and flatbed trucks must pay £10 per day.

Bury-based Jade Hutchinson, who owns two horses and a small flock of sheep, told H&H under the proposals she will need to pay £10 per day to visit her animals in Bolton using her pick-up truck, her only vehicle, and she could have to give up her animals as she would not be able to afford to check them daily.

“If I had to pay £10 a day just to check on my animals it would devastate everything. We’d have no choice but to pay it – or give up. Lots of people don’t realise how many vehicles will be affected,” she said.

“There’s other ways to tackle air pollution without penalising people. It’s going to cause disruption to so many lives and it’s just not going to be manageable.”

To raise awareness of the impact of the proposals on farmers and animal owners – and to show that using public transport is not a feasible option for many – Jade took one of her sheep, Colin, on a bus and was joined by Rebecca Kay with her Shetland pony Ernie, on 11 January.

“I put a post about what I was going to do on the “Rethink the Clean Air Zone — Great Manchester” Facebook group. The first bus didn’t stop, but then an operator arrived by car and said the bus company was happy to support us and that they were going to send an empty bus for us. We were joined on the bus by other supporters who had turned up,” said Jade.

“I can’t believe how much attention it’s brought to the matter. I’ve been doing interviews with local radio stations to keep trying to raise awareness and the Facebook group, run by an admin team, have been speaking to councillors to campaign against the zone.”

A spokesman for the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) told H&H they would not comment on the Jade’s campaigning or specific concerns, but on 13 January TfGM said the Greater Manchester’s clean air leaders will be asked to seek the Government’s permission to put the second phase of clean air zone funding on hold and ask for an “urgent and fundamental” review of the policy, including the availability and affordability of cleaner vehicles.

“A report to the Greater Manchester air quality administration committee on Thursday (20 January) will set out emerging evidence that global supply chain issues could increase the costs and reduce availability of cleaner vehicles,” said the spokesman.

“More work is needed to understand whether this could create significant financial hardship for commercial vehicle users – already facing fuel and cost of living increases on top of the impact of the pandemic. What this means for Greater Manchester local authorities, and its impact on their ability to comply on time with a legal direction from Government to tackle illegal levels of air pollution, is also to be determined.”

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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

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

Safety and business fears over trailer test scrapping

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 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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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

The FEI’s veterinary director has expressed sadness at continuing Brexit-related transport troubles and called for issues to continue to be addressed “at the highest level” or risk damaging British horse sport.

Göran Åkerström’s comments came during his update on moving horses across borders during the FEI general assembly (14-17 November).

There was some positive news, around hopes of integrating software and a possible QR code that would mean countries’ digital systems “talk” to each other and make life easier for people moving horses across borders. But there was equal frustration at the continued problems resulting from Brexit.

“This is sad, because we still have problems at the French [border import posts],” he said.

“It’s a mass of bureaucracy and we see no willingness to improve that. We just need to work really hard on this matter because this will affect [us as it does] already now, but also mid- to long- term.”

He added that the existing situation is a “major risk to equestrian sport” in Britain, particularly some organisers.

“People are already moving their horses out of the UK and this is not a good development at all. This of course has to do with politics on the very highest level, but we need to address the highest level,” he said.

“I know now the new [CEO] of the British federation is increasing engagement with a high level of government and we will certainly support that as much as we ever can.”

Brexit horse transport: what is the latest?

Defra updated its border operating model on 18 November, setting out its latest timeline for the opening of Britain’s border import posts.

Certain rules and paperwork already apply to horses travelling between the EU and Britain, but there are further changes to come next year, particularly for horses arriving in the Britain.

From July 2022, equines travelling to Britain from the EU will be subject to additional checks and import controls. It is expected that they will also need to arrive through a border control post (BCP), where checks should take place. But the latest government guidance on this is a little grey – referencing that import control checks will take place “at destination where BCP facilities are yet to be completed”.

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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

Those who transport horses as part of their business have been reminded to check when their transporter authorisation is up for renewal.

Defra has contacted British Equestrian to make the organisation and its member bodies aware that a “significant number” of transporter authorisations are due to expire in 2022. Transporter authorisations last for five years and apply to those who move horses on journeys of over 65km (40 miles) within Great Britain in connection with professional riding and competition, livery and stabling and transporters who move horses for charities and/or animal rescues.

People travelling their own horses, not in the course of business or trade, to a competition or for any other purpose for pleasure do not need transporter authorisation. But a professional rider, or a transporter taking a horse to a show on behalf of an owner, must have authorisation.

There are two types of transporter authorisation; type one (short journey), which are required for journeys over 65km and up to eight hours in duration, and type two (long journey), required for those transporting animals for journeys over 65km and lasting more than eight hours. A journey is defined as the time from when the first animal is loaded on to a means of transport at the premises of departure until the last animal is unloaded at the final destination. Transporters travelling more than 65km must also have a valid certificate of competence and vehicle approval certificate.

The Government website states that to comply with current welfare-in-transport regulations, animal transporters must submit an application to renew their authorisation if it has expired. Failure to do so risks heavy penalties if transporters are found to be operating without valid authorisation. A renewal application can be obtained from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

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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

The new car and trailer towing law, which will allow many more people to tow horse trailers and caravans by removing the requirement to pass an additional test, is expected to come into effect on 15 November.

The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) revealed the date of the law change today (19 October). This follows the scrapping of the car and trailer (B+E) towing test in September.

In broad terms, 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) without undertaking another test from 15 November 2021, subject to parliamentary approval.

“DVLA [Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency] will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers. You’ll get category BE added to your driving licence when you get a new photocard driving licence,” states the latest Government update.

“You do not need to contact DVLA for this to happen. It will be done automatically.”

But drivers are also urged to check the small print surrounding the date they passed their test and the MAM of the vehicle and/or trailer they wish to tow before getting behind the wheel. This is because the date they passed their car driving test looks set to still have some bearing on the rules, even after the law changes. There are also specific rules for Northern Ireland.

Drivers are also warned not to jump the gun ahead of the law change.

“Until the law changes on 15 November 2021, you must continue to follow the current rules about what you’re allowed to tow based on when you passed your car driving test,” states the Government website.

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

“You’re only allowed to tow anything heavier if you’re being supervised. When you’re being supervised, you must: display L plates to the front of the car and the rear of the trailer [and] be accompanied by a person who’s at least 21 years old and has had category BE on their driving licence for at least three years.”

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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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

Pressure is being placed on the Government to tackle “horse smuggling” and Britain’s “not fit for purpose” equine ID system, and to find a way to ease movement of “high health status” horses “as soon as possible”.

The recommendations come from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee’s report into moving animals across borders post-Brexit.

The report, which has been welcomed by the equestrian industry, stated there are “obvious and ready solutions that could be put in place if there is political will to do so on both sides” for many issues highlighted, including moving high health status horses across borders.

“The introduction of laws and regulations to protect animal welfare is important but ultimately meaningless if they are not enforced,” it added.

In her evidence to the committee, Jan Rogers, director of research and policy at the Horse Trust, said the costs involved of moving horses “are at least double in every case” since Brexit and that significant delays at the Calais border control post include horses waiting between three and seven hours. She also highlighted one occasion where an animal had to wait nine hours.

The EFRA report has urged the Government to work with the EU “as quickly as possible” to formulate a replacement to the Tripartite agreement, which existed before Brexit and enabled easy movement of high health status horses between Ireland, Britain and France.

World Horse Welfare, the RSPCA and the Countryside Alliance raised the concern that some horses nominally being exported for sale in Europe are really being sent to slaughter.

While it is currently legal for horses to be exported for slaughter, although moves are under way to ban this, there have been no declarations for many years. Concerns centre around the conditions in which horses are travelled.

The committee heard that “no one knows” how many horses are being illegally moved across Britain’s borders and that Border Force had no intelligence on horse smuggling, and called on Defra to investigate non-compliant horse movements and quantify the scale and causes.

“This work should take place in collaboration with industry groups like World Horse Welfare who have developed intelligence and expertise on horse smuggling. Once the scale of the issue has been identified, Defra should set out a plan to address it within a year, and no later,” added the report.

EFRA committe moving animals across borders: ‘Equine ID not fit for purpose’

The committee also urged Defra to move to a digital identification system “as a matter of urgency”.

“The current system of equine ID is not fit for purpose. Its outdated and fragmented paper systems enable fraud,” states the report.

“A digital identification system would help prevent horse smuggling and enable the expedited movement of ‘high health status’ horses. The mandatory microchipping of equines facilitates a digital identification system, which we believe is available at the moment.

“The proposals put forward in Defra’s upcoming equine identification consultation should be digital by design and easy to use, except in exceptional circumstances, such as the studbook network which is vital for the support of native, rare and indigenous breeds. It is our understanding that these systems already exist within the industry. The Government should embrace these systems or guarantee interoperability with them.”

It added that Defra should develop a funded action plan to enforce the identification rules, with a consultation published within the next three months and an action plan decided on three months after the consultation’s conclusion.

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers, who gave evidence to the committee, welcomed the report and said the recommendations would make a “huge positive difference to equine welfare” if implemented.

“Effective enforcement relies on being able to identify horses throughout their lives and to do this, the ID system needs to be digital by design, and traceability systems introduced,” he said.

“This will allow all those involved such as border staff, police, veterinarians and welfare organisations to work together and drive enforcement through an intelligence-led approach.

“The existing equine identification system of paper passports, insufficient collaboration between government bodies and enforcement agencies across the UK and the knock-on difficulties in enforcing the current legislation mean it is all too easy to bypass the system and move horses on false documentation.”The British Horseracing Authority’s head of public affairs, Ross Hamilton, who also provided evidence, likewise welcomed the report on behalf of the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group.

“The implementation of a high health status for the expedited movement of thoroughbreds for racing and breeding purposes, utilising the digital solutions such as the Weatherbys’ E-passport already in place in our industry, is an objective which has support across the British and European thoroughbred sector,” he said.

“It will help support our industry’s clear aim to raise animal welfare and health standards further, improve traceability of thoroughbreds throughout their lives, and help ensure that Britain’s world-leading position in the international industry, generating hundreds of millions of pounds in trade annually for the UK economy, can be boosted.”

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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

A horsebox towing a makeshift trailer with a combined total of five horses on board was pulled over by police, having been spotted on one of the UK’s busiest motorways.

Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit spotted the contraption on the M1 last Thursday (2 September), sharing pictures of the get-up on social media with the hashtag “#wow”.

Images appear to show a van-style horsebox towing a flatbed trailer, which had the body of another old horsebox or trailer strapped on top.

Police said there were four horses in the front vehicle and one in the rear trailer.

Officers pulled the driver over, and a safer vehicle was called to take the party on their way.

“M1. No, an old horsebox, rachet-strapped to the bed of a trailer, is not acceptable — even more so with a total of five horses being transported. Plus a massive oil leak and an expired licence,” tweeted the Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit Twitter account.

“Not a quick job but seized, alternative transport sorted and road safety improved.”

A Derbyshire police spokesman told H&H that the driver was reported for traffic offences.

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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

EQUESTRIANS have been reminded what to do when faced with a broken-down horsebox on the road following recent tragic events.

On 24 August, Nick Gauntlett’s stallion Party Trick and three horses belonging to Sophie Hulme died when Nick’s broken-down horsebox was hit by a lorry on the A9. Following this, concerns have been raised on social media about what to do when a breakdown occurs – especially when this happens on a road without a hard shoulder or on a smart motorway.

Chris Facer, Equine Rescue Services’ (ERS) network and business development manager, told H&H that horsebox owners should check vehicles before setting off, and ensure they have equine-specific breakdown cover in place, but said there will always be “the unforeseen or unexpected incident”.

In the event of a breakdown, ERS recommends switching on hazard warning lights, and sidelights if it is dark or daylight is fading, and placing a warning triangle approximately 45 metres behind the vehicle to give other drivers time to react. But this guidance differs if the lorry is on a motorway or major road.

“Do not use a warning triangle on a motorway – it’s dangerous to walk along the hard shoulder and the speed of passing traffic could cause the triangle to be blown into a live lane, putting others at risk,” said Mr Facer, adding that owners should never attempt to repair horseboxes on a motorway or busy main road.

“Do not attempt to open the ramp. The noise from the road, particularly if the traffic is heavy, can spook horses.”

Mr Facer added that smart motorways are dangerous places to break down, particularly in live lanes.

“Wherever possible, leave the motorway or get to an emergency refuge area – this is the safest option. Contact Highways England and make them aware of your position, and contact your breakdown provider,” he said, adding that it is important to have sufficient phone battery and the app What3Words on a phone to pinpoint the breakdown location. Anyone in a potentially dangerous location or needs police assistance should call 101.”

Claire Barker, managing director of PRP Rescue Services Ltd, told H&H many of the company’s customers have been extremely worried following Nick Gauntlett’s accident.

“The fact that Nick and his family were able to get out and away from their vehicle is something that we are able to take from the awful accident to help keep our customers safe,” she said.

“Horse owners are often extremely reluctant to leave their horses which we really do understand, however the most important piece of safety advice we can give is to do exactly that. Certainly the last place anyone should be if a vehicle is stranded on a busy road is in the back with the horses. Traffic noise can be unsettling, and often if a vehicle has stopped and then there are people around them the horses will expect to be unloaded which may unsettle them further. A confined space with an unpredictable animal (which even the quietest horse can become under these circumstances) is not a safe place to be. We have been saying this to customers for years but sadly it is only now, following this accident that they are taking our advice.”

Highways England launched the “Go Left” campaign this year, which advises that if drivers get into trouble on a motorway, they should move into the left lane, enter the emergency area or hard shoulder, use hazard lights and leave the vehicle to stand behind a safety barrier if there is one and it is safe to do so.

Anyone who is unable to exit the vehicle, has stopped in a live traffic lane or feels in danger should stay in the vehicle with seatbelts and hazard lights on.

“We are acutely aware of the dynamic situation of horse transport. Incidents are dealt with according to their individual circumstance,” a Highways England spokesman told H&H.

“We advise to always move transporters to a place of relative safety if possible, where transfers can take place safely. If not possible, then horses may be transferred from one transport to another, usually with traffic stopped in both directions by national highways traffic officers.”

Coach and two-star eventer Tara Williams who had a broken-down horsebox with her horse on board on the A419 in April 2019, has bought reflective adhesive strips for the rear of her lorry following recent events.

“The equestrian community has felt anxious about travel after what happened to Nick, and devastated for those involved. It made me look at my lorry and I realised we had very little in the way of reflective strips or hi-vis. Although you have hazard lights, they won’t work if your battery is not working,” she said.

“I think it will be a while until people are comfortable again – and it’s no bad thing people are realising we’ve got to be prepared.”

In the event of a breakdown, Highways England can be contacted on 0300 123 5000, local police on 101 or in case of emergency, dial 999.

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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 equestrian industry has welcomed changes on journey times and conditions for horses in new animal welfare legislation – but also the fact tweaks may still be made to proposals.

Measures announced by the Government on 18 August, which will be making their way through parliament, include a ban on live export for slaughter, a maximum 12-hour journey time, eight hours if the external temperature is plus-25℃ or below freezing, and a minimum of 20cm headroom. The legislation would also ban travelling horses when the external temperature is 30℃ or more, unless the vehicle has a thermoregulation system, although how this will work will be part of ongoing discussions. Such systems would also allow journeys longer than eight hours outside the 0–25℃ range.

“Animal welfare organisations and livestock industry representatives acknowledged the risks of heat stress when transporting animals in excessively high temperatures,” a government spokesman said. “It is for this reason we are minded to implement these upper external temperature limits to protect animal welfare.”

But respondents told the Government its proposed 5℃ lower temperature limit would “result in significant disruption and economic loss”, stating that livestock and horses are outdoors year-round and used to lower temperatures.

“We have carefully considered these arguments and as a result, we will not take forward the proposed lower temperature limit for short journeys and we will decrease the proposed lower temperature for long journeys to 0℃,” a government spokesman said.

The Government said it understands that thermo-regulated vehicles are not “universally” used to transport animals, so external temperature is “the most appropriate measure currently available”. The spokesman added: “We propose to explore this further in our discussions with the relevant sectors.”

The Government will consider exemptions to the maximum journey time for competition, racing and breeding horses, if additional criteria are met. The criteria will be “determined through the further work we will be doing with stakeholders”.

British Horseracing Authority director of equine health and welfare James Given said: “The British thoroughbred industry shares the Government’s ambition to protect animal welfare in transport through practical solutions based on clear evidence. We welcome the Government’s commitment to work together to co-design solutions that will enhance the high standards of welfare in the industry.”

Horses must also have a minimum of 20cm headroom, measured from the highest point of the head of the tallest standing animal.

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers said the proposals are a “very significant and positive step toward improving the welfare of equines when being transported”, and that the charity looks forward to working with governments and the sector to ensure the legislation protects horses and is practical.

But he added: “Unlike other large animals, horses travel frequently and widely for many reasons such as breeding, leisure, racing and other sports. We are concerned that many of these proposals seem to have been driven by improving the welfare of animals travelling for fattening and to slaughter, which in many cases are not realistic and could have serious implications for sport and the leisure sector without any clear welfare benefits.

“We are pleased that the consultation response commits to further discussion and recognises the need for a holistic approach to transport, ensuring the welfare of the horse is protected before, during and after transport… We hope whatever regime comes in will be applied consistently across Great Britain. An integrated approach is vital for driving behaviour change and encouraging compliance, as we have seen time and time again that complex and differing legislation can be confusing and challenging.

“To make any of these proposals workable and enforceable, we will again emphasise the fundamental need for a straightforward, reliable and robust fully digital method of identification and traceability for all horses.”

The charity would also like short mandatory rest stops included in any new law to ensure horses are fed, watered and checked during the 12-hour journey.

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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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens 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

How will planned low-emission zones in Greater Manchester and other areas affect riders, and what mitigation measures are in place? H&H finds out

CLEAN air zone proposals have been finalised for Greater Manchester including funding towards upgrading non-compliant vehicles – but equestrians say the support is not enough.

Following the announcement a clean air zone would be created in Greater Manchester as part of the Government’s plans to improve air quality, and subsequent public consultation (news, 8 October), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has published its final plans which have been put to the area’s 10 local authorities for approval.

From 30 May 2022, non-compliant vehicles – including horseboxes – over 3.5 tonnes must pay £60 per day to drive in the zone. Private vehicles registered to Greater Manchester owners can apply for a discounted charge of £10 per day. Non-compliant vehicles under 3.5 tonnes must pay £10 per day, which has been delayed until 1 June 2023.

Under the plans, £87.9m of Government funding has been made available to help people upgrade non-compliant vehicles or buy replacements. Up to £7,000 is available for owners of vehicles from 7.5 to 18 tonnes, up to £5,000 for 3.5-7.5-tonne vehicles and up to £4,500 for 3.5-tonne vehicles classed as light goods vehicles by the DVLA.

A TfGM spokesman confirmed to H&H owners of horseboxes registered in Greater Manchester that meet certain criteria, based on the size and classification of the vehicle, are eligible to apply and applications are expected to open from November 2021.

Bury-based rider Helena Pixton, who took part in the consultation, told H&H the funding and discounts do not go far enough.

“I don’t think they are taking into account that you would usually expect your existing box to contribute to buying a new one, but who is going to buy your old box now if it’s not compliant? It’s worth scrap,” she said.

“You can apply for the discount if you live in Greater Manchester, but the plans are going to put off people who don’t live here from coming to use equestrian facilities so that leaves centres with a problem.”

Stephen Hague, owner of Dean Valley Equestrian Centre which hosts British Showjumping competitions, told H&H he is “very concerned”.

“We have a lot of clients that come from Yorkshire, Scotland, Derbyshire – anyone getting here will have to come through Greater Manchester, so it’s a massive problem for us,” he said.

“If it has the impact we’re expecting it will close us down. On a good day we can jump 220 horses – on a bad day we still have more than 100. If three-quarters of those people can’t come then it’s not viable to run. That’s the situation we’re in and we can’t do anything about it.”

Other cities with low-emission and clean-air zones include London and Bath, while more are planned across the UK, including in Portsmouth, Glasgow and Edinburgh. In Bath exemptions for horseboxes include a reduced charge of £9 per day instead of £100 for non-compliant vehicles over 3.5 tonne and classed as private heavy goods vehicles.

In Portsmouth non-compliant horseboxes over 3.5 tonnes are exempt from paying the daily charge for up to 10 days per year. Veterinary ambulances have a lifetime exemption and horseboxes under 3.5 tonne are not charged.

“The Government-imposed clean air zone that charges certain older, more polluting vehicles is just one of the ways we are improving air quality in Portsmouth. As part of this, it’s important that we consider the needs of all vehicle owners,” councillor Dave Ashmore, Portsmouth cabinet member for safety and environment, told H&H.

“During our research, we identified there was an important route through Portsmouth from the Isle of Wight for horse owners to get their animals to specialist hospitals on the mainland. With this in mind we have made some exceptions for these types of vehicles.”

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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