Do you offer lifts to shows to others?

O

Olliepop

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 October 2011
Messages
100
Visit site
I've just upgraded my ancient 3.5 tonne lorry to a really nice condition albeit second hand Equitrek trailer. I therefore have the novelty of being able to take 2 horses at the same time. I have two of my own but my mare is only just coming back into work so it will be a while before she is going anywhere exciting.
I thought it might be nice to offer to take others off the yard with me as it would be nice to have another person there other than my husband (he can't always come anyway due to work so I've done a lot on my own before too) and I suppose I could get some contribution towards the traveling cost. It would also offer a chance to those who don't have transport to get out and do things.
I am worried about my trailer getting trashed though by other horses that don't travel well. Both of mine are quiet travelers alone and I have done a test drive with them together and I could barely tell they were there!
I wondered whether others on here offer lifts to people and on what terms/ what contribution? As my husband said to me the other night "sorry won't fix the trailer"!
 
As a general rule, no I don't... too much risk of there being damage and being left out of pocket repairing it. I do however have one or two very close friends who I will take places as I trust them 100% to repair if some damage did occur.
 
2 horses, 2 lots of tack, 2 lots of water, 2 people - are you sure you are going to be underweight?
 
Hey - I've done my B+E licence in Feb and the Range Rover I have will tow 3.5 tonnes. The trailer is 1.4 tonnes so I reckon it'll be about 2.8 tonnes by the time it's loaded up so it should be fine.
 
I only take close friends, whose horses I know won't wreck my trailer and only if we are going for a trail ride or hack/ trek. I don't take others to competition as I don't want the hassle of horses buddying up and not standing tied up on their own, or screaming out for each other.
 
I find this so sad. I can understand not wanting to be stuck with a bill, but as someone who has never had their own transport before I know how hard it is and would never dream of not fixing damage.

I will hopefully have my B+E and trailer by the end of the month. I will be happy to take others to competitions as I know how hard it is without transport. I guess I would have to know them pretty well, but that is more because I have to spend all day with them!
 
Yes there's a couple of people at my yard I would take/have taken to shows, they are all people I hack out, school in the evening with ect, technically I do it for no reward as its for private use but they always pay the diesel when we go and it saves OH having to come with me all the time.
 
Years ago i our 7.5t i used to take a friend show jumping, and have taken another friends mare to emergency vets in my 3.5t. Oh and took my YO's stallion to the breed show for her when her lorry was already full with her others.

But no, as a general rule.
 
You need to be careful of the rules. If you are doing it for.money then there are various qualifications and pieces of paper that you need. Not to mention insurance and the likes. I am sure ROG will know the rules but it's not as straight forward as just giving someone a lift these days.
 
I probably wouldn't because a) my trailer is newish so wouldn't want anyone else's horse damaging it, b) as someone else said if they buddy up, there could be a lot of calling to each other and c) what would happen if you then decided you didn't want company - would it cause bad feeling with friends? Saying all that I would take to the vets in an emergency.
 
Last edited:
I offer out space to my liveries and I also allow them to borrow my transport if they want to go somewhere - it doesn't need to be complicated - they are people whom I trust to deal decently with any situation that may arise and it doesn't compromise insurance because it is not for hire/reward. A contribution towards fuel is not a reward and if somebody wants to quantify the 'reward' of that person helping finish the yard off that evening etc then they are very welcome. You have to apply a bit of common sense and, like a previous poster, I too spent years without transport so I am happy to help others in that situation.
 
Not really as I would only really want to tow two locally not on motorways as I'd be close to my max limit. Would be happy to though!
 
I used to, but after being stuck in a paddock with a horse that wouldn't load, an owner who thought she knew it all (and lost her temper big time) and still faced with a two hour drive home after a 40 km endurance ride, I stopped doing it.

I would help out a friend in an emergency, but I have to say, I like doing my own thing. I didn't always have my own transport - but I used to have a tow car and hire a trailer as needed.
 
We used to always - but had a range of bad experiences. Damaged trailers, loads of waiting around for people doing different classes. Even on one occasion being asked to abandon our later classes to take an unsuccessful one home. The companion not staying to help muck out the trailer afterward. People really taking advantage. All sorts. Now we only take close friends or people we really know.

But anyone in an emergency always - we're the closest to the yard and will take anything to Liphook - which is our nearest equine hospital. We've even done an emergency run to newmarket in the middle of the night as well as picking up horses stranded after transport breakdown. Thats just what horse people do.

I suspect its one of those things you sort of have to learn for yourself though. The idea of company sounds nice - and sometimes it is.
 
Sadly, this one comes at the top of the list for "No good turn goes unpunished".

Do it and sooner or later you will get stuck with a damaged trailer and a several hour wait while your former friend attempts to load an unloadable horse. And if you lend your trailer, expect to have to go and get it when you want to use it yourself (in my case, a round trip of 90 miles!).

Make it qute clear that you don't want to sell it, loan it, or act as chauffeur from day one, then there can be no hurt feelings or lost friendships. Absolutely NO! (And, yes, I have deviated from that rule in an emergency -- and sat outside the vet surgery with a friend's injured horse for three hours waiting for the vet to return from a call out. Of course, when I need a favour in return, my 'friend' is nowhere to be found).
 
We don't take other horses racing because as a team we're quite paranoid about 'outside' horses bringing in viruses (with the season being so short we can't afford to lose any time resting them unless absolutely necessary). However, another trainer was good enough to bring my horse from Wales to Scotland alongside 2 horses he was racing. We do however share loads when taking mares to the stallion/horses to and from sales.

Recently got stung taking a horse somewhere for someone and vowed not to do it again unless it's for close friends who I know would do the same back for me.

Unfortunately I have found that the world contains an alarming number of people who are happy to take something for nothing and then develop a sense of entitlement when you try to end an agreement/get financial reimbursement for your time/expenses. Just be clear what the arrangement is from the start and don't expect things to go swimmingly regardless of the precautions you take!
 
No. My car won't tow more than one horse anyway thankfully so no one ever asks. I am happy to meet people at shows but I like to be independent so I can arrive and leave when I want to. I don't like to be bound by other people's class times or if they want to stay and do one more round.
Having let a friend use my trailer for loading practise a few years ago and the horrible horse wrecked the mats inside and generally did loads of damage (which wasn't put right), I would never let anyone else's horse in my trailer ever again. I don't care how miserable it sounds, I saved my hard earned money to buy my trailer and keep it on the road. Others should do the same if they want to go places.
 
Admittedly in the past I have offered lifts to friends, but having someone damage my horsebox so badly and never pay for the damage I haven't done so since. It is a shame the minority can ruin it for the majority of people who are decent. I certainly know that if I had a lift from someone I would pay for any costs if my horse caused the damage.
 
Sadly, it's also something I tend not to do any more. I used to enjoy it, and it worked well in the past. I know how rough it is not having transport, and I'd like the company, but for a variety of reasons I now don't.

I don't have the payload, don't want the hassle, have had my lorry damaged, and one companion travelled badly and stressed me out so much that I am still a bit nervous travelling mine on his own, even though he is a good traveller.
 
I'm very lucky that a friend of mine takes me and a couple others out regularly in her trailer, and another in her lorry if we're going to the same place.

All they ask is diesel. If/when I get my own transport, I'll happily return the favour but would be wary taking just anyone - I'd only want to take people/horses I know well.
 
I think, technically speaking, that taking any 'reward' puts you on shaky legal ground - including petrol money etc.

Personally I take my sister all the time and would happily take friends if there's space. I don't take people I don't know unless it's an emergency.
I've been the person begging lifts before, so if I'm going anyway and there's space I don't see why not. However, I would expect the person getting the lift to fit in with owner/driver's plans, not the other way round!
 
You need to check with your insurance if this is permitted within your policy. .

I am now going to change my policy to include hire and reward as when I take horses to vets etc I lose out on time - wear and tear - road tax and plaiting. After all I pay the upkeep for my use and if people want to benefit from my lorry being here for emergencies then they will have to pay and claim off their insurance.

last year I took 3 journeys to RVC there and back 1+ hour each way, all I got was £ 40 diesel money, don't get me wrong in an emergency I will ALWAYS think of the horse first before the money. Sort the money status out later but my time is precious and I work hard for my money. I have been stung before with horses damaging my boxes and leaving me with debts of £ 700 ish, now I only take yard horses who I know and no outsiders. As along with everything else, you don't know what sort of infections other horses may have and can pass to your yard.



In your shoes I would:

Phone your insurance check out the charging for lifts
Make sure horse is a good traveler
Have something they sign (valid for every time)
* To which they are aware they pay any damage
* Accept you are not liable to injury to their horse
* They accept full responsibility for damage cause direct or indirectly by their horse to your vehicles including the towing car
* They have insurance that offers emergency housing for the horse in light of accident


If you are transporting horses as part of a business or receiving payment of any kind, then it is essential that you take out equine hire and reward cover.
However, our horsebox insurance team know that there is generally a lot of confusion surrounding certain situations relating to hire and reward insurance.
I frequently get asked questions like: “If I transport my friend’s horse to our local competition, will I need to take out hire and reward insurance?”
Let me clear this up for you…

You will not need to take out equine hire and reward insurance if you transport someone elses horse as long as you are not doing so as part of a business or charging a specific fee.

This means that you can transport a friends or an acquaintances horse, as a favour without adding hire and reward cover to your policy. If the horse owner decides to offer payment for fuel then this still cannot be considered commercial use as they are simply covering your expenses from which you will not gain a profit.


If you find yourself offering ‘lifts’ for other peoples horses, it is always worth checking that their current horse insurance policy does not include any limitations with regards to traveling in another persons vehicle.

Horseboxes and trailers used for commercial purposes

If you do decide to charge for your transportation, you are in effect offering an ‘equine taxi style service!’ This means that you will need to take out equine hire and reward cover before carrying out anymore work.
It is crucial that you do not go uninsured otherwise you could be faced with covering the cost of claims yourself.
 
Last edited:
I have never had my own transport, so for years have had to rely on the kindness of friends in order to ever compete. But I'm currently doing my HGV training and planning to buy my own lorry this year.

As someone who has benefitted from lift shares in the past, and been hugely grateful to those people who have offered, I do plan to offer lifts to other people who need it if they're going to the same shows as me - I think it's nice to do a good turn for people.

That said, it would need to be somebody I know well and trust, with a horse that is a good traveller - and on the basis that any damage would be repaired. I'd also expect a fair contribution to fuel (at least 50%) and for them to help clean it out at the end of the day etc. I guess you do take the risk of people abusing your generosity, but I do think it's nice to have company and support at shows
 
We have helped out in emergencies and been helped out too. However, also been stung with damage after taking horse to vets. Now share transporting with one friend only whose horse loads and travels well and we take in turns to use our lorries. Whilst I have sympathy for friends with no transport (having been there) I quickly realised that i had to arrange my own transport if i wanted to compete and now I just dont want to be waiting around all day for classes I am not doing or being stuck waiting for a horse to load. Unfortunately an ocasional offer to travel someone elses horse can all too quickly become an expectation which is then difficult to stop when its not convenient so I found its just easier not to start. Also hubby adament not to offer lifts after he paid for previous damage!!
 
Im another who finds this thread incredibly sad and makes me feel more hopeless for my future competing dreams! I have a lovely young boy, five this month, and am desperate to get him out and about just hiring venues if nothing else, but at £99 a time it isn't worth it just for an hour in an indoor school somewhere local. On the three times we've done it, ive paid for diesel, thanked them with a bottle of something nice, cleaned out the box, pony loads and travels like a dream and if he did ever damage someone's property Id be mortified and wouldn't hesitate in paying for the repair. Sadly my friends all compete regularly so don't have the time to help me out and I definitely don't have the cash to buy a lorry. So its hacking for me for now! Lotto win anyone?

I will add...reading the above, I really don't blame anyone for not wanting to get sucked in..just feeling sorry for myself!
 
I don't have my own transport so I'm incredibly grateful when folk are kind enough to offer to take me out anywhere. I'm on a yard where all the folk with lorries are generous enough to offer a space when it comes up. If I'm lucky enough to get the space I make sure I clean the lorry out and give diesel money etc.

I hope I'll be able to do the same for others when I eventually get my own transport.
 
I used to hire a box to go to shows and sponsored rides, it was ok originally but then:

Boxes were always booked up on my days and still had to pay if horse went lame and I had to cancel etc

£ 80 per day including driver each time for the 6 sponsored rides I do and countless showing shows and vet visits, I worked them out once


2013:

6 x sponsored rides @ £80 pounds ish per time
2 vet visits to horsepital £ 145 emergency Sunday visit
5 showing shows £ 75 as smaller box different hire company
1 pick up of new horse £ 350 total

£ 1495 for the one year so started saving did no competing 2014 and 2015 and brought a lorry in Jan this year and looking forward to using it now as I have practiced since January without a horse and now with a horse with a competent driver and went to first event last week no problem. Got loads of events lined up and do not regret buying my own transport as insurance and tax and mot still way less than I paid in 2013.

Beauty of it to is all my traveling gear and showing/x country gear stay in the lorry so my shed is way cleaner :D
 
Last edited:
I've taken other horses to competitions/training with mine a handful of times, and lent my trailer out once. I will never do so again!

I've had to wait 3+hours for a horse to load to go home, missed classes because the person coming was late to the yard (couldn't be bothered to get out of bed for a 9am class <eyeroll>), and ended up paying for someone who 'forgot' their money - I didn't get the £30 for XC schooling or any fuel money off them.

The one occasion it was lent out the borrower crashed it into YOs lorry while parking it and expected me to claim on my insurance, plus pay the excess, for both vehicles to be repaired. Her horse also broke one of the internal panels and bent the partition. They didn't bother to clean it out after coming back. Oh, and I needed it for a dressage competition the next day so had to leave the yard at 6am. They knew this and their classes finished at 5pm (Adv Med dressage, 3 people in the class so not hours waiting for results) but they didn't get back to the yard until 11pm. I was waiting around until then as needed the keys to the hitch lock so I could use it in the morning. I never even got a thank you!

All these are/were liveries on my current yard. The whole p*ss taking nature of the place is why I hope I'll be out of there soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top