Horse transport companies...money maker?!

JackDaniels1

JackDaniels1

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We were having this 'discussion' at the yard earlier, wondered what you guys thought.

Those without transport, know how expensive it is to use transport companies (not arguing with there prices) so... do you think it's a good money maker or not? Or is it a more of a 'extra' 'bit of the sideline' type work?
 
the problem is the starting up costs 1st you need a lorry then you need a defra licence and an operators licence its not like the "old days" when you just needed a lorry thats why i gave it up to many rules and regulations i blame VOSA
 
Not only for the reasons Cassie has given but also the fact that generally most work would be at weekends unless you get in with a racing yard and then most of them have their own vehicles.

I can see that a horsebox would be idle a lot of the time.
 
I have my own transport for going away competing places and YES I do believe if you were hiring a box to take you to a show etc the prices are far too high. However in a few weeks I am having a foal transported from Essex to Scotland by Eric Gillies and for the peace of mind I have from knowing she is in the best possible hands she could be for this long journey the price means nothing to me.
 
Am I right in thinking that if you operate commercially you also have to have the wagon tested every 6 weeks or so? I suggested OH started doing this as we have an HGV box standing idle most of the time, he reckoned you would have to be very busy to make it pay.
 
Actually I am considering this as an option with my small lorry in the knowledge that I will be the most competitive over short distances and my overheads are not that great. I have applied for my Type 1 licence and have contacted my local animal health department re the Certificate of Competency.
Think about the area you live in and what the demand is.
 
hch4971 said:
Am I right in thinking that if you operate commercially you also have to have the wagon tested every 6 weeks or so? I suggested OH started doing this as we have an HGV box standing idle most of the time, he reckoned you would have to be very busy to make it pay.
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you dont have to have the wagon tested every six weeks but they do have to have a regular servicing schedule.... a lot of lgv operators service their trucks at evan less than this. no one wants to get onto the wrong side of vosa. You also have to think about the tachograph laws .... routes have to be well planned to allow for drivers breaks.
 
you would need regular work to make this pay, and a very nice lorry that fits the transport regs. you will require an ACET, an operators licence, commercial insurance, 3rd party liability, 3 c care,a groom,cctv in lorry, SVS type 1 or 2, 6 weekly servicing/certification, annual plating plus diesel, plus time (tacos and driving hours and breaks), plus tyres, oh and planning permision to park/store said vehicle and operate from base.loads of paper work, journey logs for every trip and regular inspections from trading standards, defra etc.
 
luckyoldme said:
you dont have to have the wagon tested every six weeks but they do have to have a regular servicing schedule.... a lot of lgv operators service their trucks at evan less than this. no one wants to get onto the wrong side of vosa. You also have to think about the tachograph laws .... routes have to be well planned to allow for drivers breaks.
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OH says it is a vehicle inspection to make sure that it is roadworthy but maybe he means servicing.
 
hch4971 said:
OH says it is a vehicle inspection to make sure that it is roadworthy but maybe he means servicing.
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inspection of the lorry like a mini MOT as part of the O licence regs shotest is 6 weeks but can be longer depending on the type of use and what the terms of the licence say , they will also need a operateing center where the lorry is kept needs planining permission and may limit the hours you can come and go , need a transport manager and be ok finacialy I think you have to keep about £8000 in your bank , there is lots of rules unless you go for under 3.5 ton then you just need to keep defra happy and only carry one horse or ponys ,or a trailer but will need a tachograph in the tow vehicle..
 
I used to be a travelling groom and admittedly, we would mostly be doing stud work all over the country and to Ireland or for the sales (the business was owned by a brother of Dick Francis so had contacts in the racing world) but we also did normal things like moving 'normal' horses all up and down the country; the small wagon was often used for transport to vets and shows too.
Lately, I have used three different transport firms with small lorries and you'd be surprised how much work they do in the mid week too.
Have a look at this, it might give you some idea.
http://www.acehorsetransport.co.uk/ This is a lovely wagon and excellent driver, can't recommend highly enough.
Also brilliant is A2B transport from Ormskirk, similar set up.
 
Really interested in this post. Have been considering buying a newer 3.5 ton box with trying to help cover the costs by offering transport. Wasnt going to try and earn a living just help towards the costs but how much extra do you end up paying out to do it. I was thinking of transport to vets and local shows really. I live in the south east in a well populated equine area.
 
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