On tow

Before setting off on your travels, it’s important to carry out vital checks: • All horseboxes and trailers must be correctly maintained and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s warranty. • Regular checks must be made to tyres, brakes, fl uid levels, windscreen wipers, lights, battery, ramp and trailer fl oor. • Adjust the partition so it is in the correct place for your horse. • Ensure haynets are correctly tied up high so the horse can’t become tangled. • Don’t forget to pack essentials such as food, water, rugs and fi rst aid kits. WITH CHANGES TO THE LAW ON TOWING, MANY RIDERS ARE OPTING FOR THE CHEAPER OPTION OF A CAR AND TRAILER, SO HOW CAN YOU ENSURE YOU GIVE YOUR HORSE A SAFE RIDE IN A TRAILER AND WHAT VEHICLES MAKE THE BEST TOWING CARS? STEPHANIE BATEMAN INVESTIGATES.

As of December 2021, drivers who passed their car driving test after 1 January 1997 are now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

This means that horse owners who previously needed to take and pass a trailer towing test in order to tow their horses within the law, no longer need to.

But for those keen to hitch up and head on their way, where should you start when it comes to choosing the best trailer for your horse?

“To ensure travel goes smoothly, there are several things to think about,” says Tom Janion of EquiTrek. “First of all, any form of transport must be suitable for your individual horse – your horse’s weight, loading behaviour and preference for orientation must all be considered. Around two-thirds of horses when travelled loose

“To ensure travel goes smoothly, there are several things to think about,” says Tom Janion of EquiTrek. “First of all, any must be suitable for

ABOVE: FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN THE LAW, TOWING A TRAILER MAY SUIT SOME HORSE OWNERS BETTER THAN DRIVING A HORSEBOX. RIGHT: CONSIDER HOW YOUR HORSE TRAVELS BEST – WHETHER IT’S FACING FORWARD, TO THE REAR OR HERRINGBONE.

• Drive as smoothly as possible with gradual acceleration/ deceleration and gentle braking and ensure that the trailer is in line with your vehicle before accelerating away from corners or roundabouts. • A useful analogy is to drive as if you have a glass of water on the dash board and you are trying not to spill it. • Make sure there is good ventilation in the horse area by opening all available ventilation even in winter, and rug your horse to maintain a reasonable temperature. • Speed limits for cars towing horse trailers. • 30mph limit applies on all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise. • 50mph applies on single carriageways unless signs show otherwise. • 60mph applies on dual carriageways and motorways. • Never travel in the outside lane

of a motorway, with three lanes or more. • If your trailer begins to snake or swerve, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently – do not hit the brakes. (This can happen if you are driving too fast or the load in the trailer is wrongly positioned). • Do not brake sharply on a bend, (this could cause a possible jack-knife situation). • Reduce speed before the bend and take the appropriate gear for the speed you are doing.

Then gently accelerate

out of the bend. • When reversing with a trailer always get out of the vehicle and check that all is clear before making the manoeuvre.

If possible, get someone to watch and help you manoeuvre.

LEFT: CHECK THAT HAYNETS ARE TIED

UP HIGH ENOUGH THAT THE HORSE CAN’T GET HIS LEGS CAUGHT IN THEM. fast or the load in the trailer is

adopted a rear-facing position and several studies have shown that generally horses travel better, showing lower heart rate, fewer impacts and fewer losses of balance, when rear-facing.”

It’s also worth considering how much space your horse requires.

“The size of the horse area in trailers varies from model to model when comparing the space to a 3.5t lorry, so check on the specifi cations when looking to purchase,” adds Tom. “For tricky loaders, a low and inviting full ramp allows the horse to get all four hooves onto the ramp before going inside, breaking the loading process down. Safety doors either side of the ramp are also important and so is a heavy-duty, slip-resistant ramp with treads. A lot of horses prefer a side loading ramp as the space they are being asked to go into is more open and inviting.”

Tom points out that EquiTrek trailers have adjustable partitions so you can give big horses plenty of room when travelling.

“If you are looking for headroom in particular the NightTreka is ft in. All oors are aluminium and high impact composite panels provide peace of mind for when travelling larger horses. The range has su cient payloads to make it possible to transport big competition horses.”

Finding a suitable towing vehicle will not only make the job of towing more comfortable, but more importantly, it will ensure you are towing your horse safely and within the law.

One of the biggest considerations when choosing a towing vehicle is what weight the car can safely tow?

“You will need to check the towing limit – the weight the vehicle is legally allowed to tow as it is a criminal off ence,

and can be dangerous, to tow more than your car is allowed,” says Nathan Darbyshire of Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire Subaru and Ssang Yong specialist Dales Automotive. “Your car’s driver manual will tell you what the

car is legally able to tow, as will the compliance certifi cate label which you can usually fi nd on the driver’s door.”

It’s the weight of the trailer fully loaded (horse, tack, feed and kit, etc) that you need to consider. “Knowing the weight of your horse and whether you are likely to travel more than one horse is also a big consideration,” says Nathan. “If you are planning to transport two 16.2hh in your trailer, you’re going to need a car with a 3,500kg towing capacity, but one 15.1hh horse would probably be fi ne in a car with a , 2,000kg towing capacity.”

Next, you need to consider the power of the vehicle, aka the car’s torque, which will help you climb steep hills with a heavy trailer on the back.

“Diesel engines with low down pulling power are by far

After years of hiring transport, Nicole Spratling is taking the plunge and buying her own car and trailer to tow her seven-yearplunge and buying her own car and trailer to tow her seven-yearold Warmblood gelding Aramis to shows. old Warmblood gelding Aramis to shows.

“I have decided on a car and trailer over a lorry for a few reasons,” she says. “Firstly, the cost – I am in a cycle of taking out reasons,” she says. “Firstly, the cost – I am in a cycle of taking out fi nance plans for cars, so I get a new one every three years which fi nance plans for cars, so I get a new one every three years which works out cheaper than a lorry of the quality I would want. works out cheaper than a lorry of the quality I would want.

“Secondly, I’m no mechanic and would want a practically new lorry to make sure I was happy with its safety and reliability, and lorry to make sure I was happy with its safety and reliability, and that’s just not viable on my budget. With a trailer, I could afford a that’s just not viable on my budget. With a trailer, I could afford a practically new and high quality one. practically new and high quality one.

“Thirdly is the size. Aramis is 16.3hh and very long. There’s not quite enough room in 3.5t boxes, whereas with a big trailer, he has quite enough room in 3.5t boxes, whereas with a big trailer, he has more room and travels more comfortably.” more room and travels more comfortably.”

Despite not requiring a license to tow, Nicole still plans to take towing lessons before attempting to tow Aramis. towing lessons before attempting to tow Aramis.

“I’m naturally quite a cautious person, and when it’s something as important as towing my pride and joy, I want him to be as safe as he can possibly be; and to be confi dent to take him out, otherwise I’ll either dread our trips out or just bottle it and never go anywhere.

“I am still doing some research on trailers. I’m considering a long-term hire to start with so I can fi gure out what I like/don’t like and what’s important to me.”

the best option, and will be more economical on longer journeys,” advises Nathan. “We also recommend automatic gear boxes which give the horse a smoother ride and have a better braking ability.”

A car with four wheel drive will also give you the ability to tow off road such as when parking in a fi eld. ou’re less likely to get stuck if it starts raining and the grass turns to mud. To fi nd out more visit dalesautomotive.co.uk

ABOVE: CHECK THE WEIGHT THAT YOUR VEHICLE CAN LEGALLY TOW.

PRODUCT WATCH

compact side load, forward facing horsebox suitable for two big horses. It comes with fully fi tted integral day living, with a generous external side tack locker on the short wheelbase model, or large rear tack locker on the long wheelbase model. Each horsebox is fully coachbuilt to a very high standard. The Trophy Twin is particularly suited to those who require day living, a good payload for two horses and a horsebox that is easy to drive and manage. Various chassis options are available, along with bespoke fi nishes.

RRP: FROM £20,995| phhb.co.uk

MUSSO is the only pick-up that can tow 3.5 tonnes and carry over one tonne simultaneously, its powerful 2.2lL turbo-charged diesel engine putting out 180bhp and 420Nm of torque. Coupled with selectable 4x4 high and low ratios, the Musso has the power to tow anything anywhere. A sector-leading seven year/150,000 mile warranty comes as standard meaning the Musso provides a complete towing and carrying package that no other pick-up can match.

is one of the UK’s leading horsebox and trailer breakdown services. Just one call to operators will ensure you and your horses are safe, and regularly informed until the incident is resolved. The nationwide network of mechanical agents will reach you in the quickest possible time to repair or recover your vehicle or trailer, with fresh horse transport provided if your vehicle cannot be fi xed.

equinerescue.co.uk RRP: FROM £23,495 | dalesautomotive.co.uk

STAR-TREKA from Equi-Trek is a rear facing, spacious two horse trailer with luxury overnight spacious two horse trailer with luxury overnight accommodation. The horse area is equipped to the accommodation. The horse area is equipped to the highest standard and is suitable for two large horses. highest standard and is suitable for two large horses. Side ramp for safe and easy loading and unloading. Side ramp for safe and easy loading and unloading. The living accommodation includes kitchen unit, The living accommodation includes kitchen unit, seating which converts to sleep two, toilet area and seating which converts to sleep two, toilet area and leisure battery. This stunning trailer features the latest in aerodynamic body styling which is unique to the Equi-Trek range. Optional extras, including a fridge, are available.

RRP: FROM £19,999 | equi-trek.com

THE ALL-NEW SUBARU OUTBACK with permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive off-road capability, proven reliability and advanced safety features, gives you utmost confi dence and control whenever you jump behind the wheel. Need to hitch up a horse box, trailer or caravan? No problem. You can safely haul loads with up to 2,000kg braked towing capacity both on the road and across grassy or muddy conditions with ease.

RRP: FROM £33,995 | dales-subaru.co.uk

feature a unique magnesium compound that helps to support healthy muscle and nerve function during times of stress. Fully FEI-compliant, with no herbs or drowsy additives. Nupafeed MAH syringes are ideal for young horses, bad travellers and new environments; feed two syringes ahead of times of stress.

BIOTICS is an easy use multi-dose syringe to provide pre- and probiotics in an instant. Feed prior to, during or following travelling and gut stress, or at any time when gut health may be compromised. Contains FOS and MOS prebiotics, with a digestibility enhancer, live probiotic yeast for microbiome stability.

naf-equine.eu/uk

nupafeed.co.uk

SUPPORT is a proven supplement for total digestive support helping to maintain pH levels and ensure normal fermentation patterns. PharmaTRAC is ideal for keeping in the horsebox for when horses training, travelling and stabling away require additional strategic gastrointestinal support.

the natural mucus defence in the stomach and contains Apolectol complex, which includes pectin, lecithin and glycerol designed to support gastric health. Pronutrin forms a gel to support the stomach’s natural defences and maintain healthy gastric acidity for optimal gastric health.

RRP: £39.99 FOR 1KG| bettalife.co.uk RRP: £65 FOR 3.5KG | boehringeringelheim.com