Q&A: Travelling tips

Q: We recently gave some friends a lift to a show in our horsebox and, as there was little room in the cab, I travelled the short distance in the back with the horses. It’s a small lorry without a live-in area. When we arrived, someone saw me getting out and told me this is illegal. Is this the case?

Jon Phillips, managing director of The Organisation of Horsebox andTrailer Owners, replies : It is certainly illegal for people to travel in trailers, although there are some allowances where grooms can travel in the back of lorries, such as to calm sick horses.

However, the Organisation of Horsebox and Trailer Owners (OHTO) advises against people travelling in the back of horseboxes, unless it is absolutely necessary, because it is potentially very dangerous.