frequently asked questions

We've chosen the 3.5 tonne horsebox so most people with a standard UK car licence can hire it.

Here's what you'll need to provide:

• The driver's photocard driving licence

• Two recent utility bills (within the past 60 days for the same address as your driving licence)

• The driver's debit or credit card (this will be used for taking payment and the holding deposit)

• £500.00 non-refundable deposit taken as part of the full hire fee (cancellations within 7 days of the hire date incur the full hire charge)

• Printed copy of your DVLA Check Code (You will need to provide us with a DVLA Check Code prior to the booking being approved - this is so you can prove that you have less than 6 points on your licence.)

• Completed Hirer Proposal Form from our Insurance Company 

• Acknowledged Terms & Conditions - (Note that making a booking and payment to us for a service will also be deemed acceptance of these T's & C's)

We urgently draw your attention to the requirements for carrying passports when travelling with your horse. From 28 February 2005, horses must be accompanied by their passport when moving under the following circumstances:

• For the purpose of competition

• For the purpose of breeding

• In or out of Great Britain

• To other premises where a veterinary medical product is to be administered

• To the premises of a new keeper

• To a slaughterhouse

• For the purposes of sale

Trading Standards often carry out spot checks on horse transporters and private owners as they travel throughout Britain and have indicated their intention to impose fines of between £2,000 - £5,000 for any horse travelling without a passport.
We recommend that you carry your horse passports at all times when travelling. We must also advise you that you could be refused help to recover your horse from a breakdown or accident if they are not travelling with their passports.

In order to legally drive a 3.5-tonne horsebox on public roads, you need a Category C1 licence. This licence specifically qualifies you to drive vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes WITHOUT trailers in tow. These kinds of horseboxes are perfect for one or two animals and a little bit of gear.

Our comprehensive self-drive hire insurance requires that the driver must be over the age of 25 and under the age of 75 at the time of hiring our horsebox.

Our insurance company demands us to take a holding deposit of £500.00.

An additional amount may be chargeable for any driver under the age of 25 where the insurance company has pre-agreed to cover them upon referral.

Our Hire Agreement states that the horsebox must be returned to us within the timeframe agreed and that it must have been cleaned and refuelled to the same level as it was when it was hired. Where a client does not comply with this we will deduct relevant amounts from the holding deposit.

We have breakdown cover with Equine Rescue Services.

Equine Rescue Services can provide the following services:

• Call out and roadside assistance

• Horsebox and trailer recovery

• Emergency horse transport

• Overnight livery and accommodation for you and your groom.

Assistance not covered by the terms of your membership will be provided but the Member will remain responsible for all charges resulting from the provision of such assistance, i.e. Veterinary Support, Farrier Referral and Slaughter/Carcass removal. We will bill you retrospectively for all costs including call-out, labour, replacement parts and other materials.

(full details on the limitations of cover Equine Rescue Services provide can be provided upon request)

We recommend downloading and using the "what3words" app on your mobile, for use in a breakdown situation. This can greatly assist with pinpointing you, and reducing misinformation.

In order to hire our horsebox and to satisfy the requirements of our insurers, we have to take full details of all driver licences.

We may be advised that an additional premium may be payable and/or a larger holding deposit due to previous driving history and/or convictions.

The payload of our horsebox is around 950kg.

What this actually means is that you can probably carry one horse or two ponies at a time, see the guide below for help but you are advised to ensure you do not overload the horsebox.

• Horse Height (hh): 12.2

• Average Weight (kg): 250

• Combinations (max. 2 horses): 2 x 12.2 horses (500kg)

• Remaining Payload (kg) tack, people, etc.: 450

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• Horse Height (hh): 13.2

• Average Weight (kg): 300

• Combinations (max. 2 horses): 2 × 13.2 horses (600kg)

• Remaining Payload (kg) tack, people, etc.: 350

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• Horse Height (hh): 14.2

• Average Weight (kg): 400

• Combinations (max. 2 horses): 2 × 14.2 horses (800kg)

• Remaining Payload (kg) tack, people, etc.: 150

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• Horse Height (hh): 15.2

• Average Weight (kg): 500

• Combinations: 1 × 15.2 horse (500kg)

• Remaining Payload (kg) tack, people, etc.: 450

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• Horse Height (hh): 16.2

• Average Weight (kg): 600

• Combinations: 1 × 16.2 horse (600kg)

• Remaining Payload (kg) tack, people, etc.: 350

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• Horse Height (hh): 17.2

• Average Weight (kg): 700

• Combinations: 1 × 17.2 horse (700kg)

• Remaining Payload (kg) tack, people, etc.: 250

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• Horse Height (hh): 18.2

• Average Weight (kg): 800

• Combinations: 1 × 18.2 horse (800kg)

• Remaining Payload (kg) tack, people, etc.: 150