Horse transporters in the uk

Although they are more northerly based its worth checking with Eric Gillies, as they have a fab reputation and great lorries. They transport the ILPH (world horse welfare) horses around, at least to the Scottish centre they do.

Make sure anyone you do use has the extra over 8 hour transporter certification in case of delays and also an overnight lairage for the horse to stay in if thats needed.

For a shared load (ie in a big box with pickups and drop offs etc) with someone good, start at about 75p a mile (maybe +vat). For a sole load maybe £1 a mile. For eg I am transporting with Gillies in next few weeks and they have quoted for approx 380 miles £275+vat. A lot cheaper than the other transporters, this is because they are doing regular trips up and back so they know they can share the cost across the other horses (and the lorry takes about 10!)
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
Although they are more northerly based its worth checking with Eric Gillies, as they have a fab reputation and great lorries.
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Yes another vote for Gillies. They do nationwide work, the lorries are second to absolutely nobody, the drivers are great, and your ponies will get where ever you want them in total comfort!
Very reasonable prices too.
 
Another vote for Gillies. I've used them twice to transport first a single horse then six horses to W. Ireland with great service and consideration for the horses. They do UK work too.
 
Yet another vote for Gillies. I've used them 3x; twice bringing horses up from Liverpool and Hereford and another time selling a horse down to Leicestershire. Can't recommend them enough.
 
There's also Boothroydens. The only time I used them they were efficient, on time and the horse travelled well from Cheshire to south Sussex was £240. Have big and small boxes. Ask for Peter. 0161 653 6483 they also have a website.
 
Yep, Gillies for me too, they do all my long distance runs. The only downside is they don't travel them with hay. Driver hours though mean they tend to be in stables within 8 hours or so of being loaded. You can be on the unlucky side of this though, especially if there are 2 drivers. I am always picked up pre 7am and my horse once didn't arrive in Ediburgh till after 4pm. I don't think he was last drop.
 
ginadrummond said:
. The only downside is they don't travel them with hay. Driver hours though mean they tend to be in stables within 8 hours or so of being loaded. You can be on the unlucky side of this though, especially if there are 2 drivers. I am always picked up pre 7am and my horse once didn't arrive in Ediburgh till after 4pm. I don't think he was last drop.
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This is true and nearly put me off using them. Have to say though the single mare had hay from pick up to the Ferry.
 
Another vote for Gillies, had never used a transporter before but was very happy with the service. They were efficient & professional, lorry was fabulous & the driver was brilliant, Fleur arrived down from Lancashire to Hampshire safely with an overnight stop at Banbury so had hay there which I was happy with.
 
foraday said:
look on www.findhorsetransport.org

According to the DEFRA rules etc horses can only be travelled long distances if they are FED and WATERED EVERY 8 hours! Would like to see a few of those Animal Transport Certificates!
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That's a relatively new rule but I defy you to find a reputable horse transporter that doesn't adhere to the rules.
If you use a cowboy at cowboy prices you might get cowboy behaviour which is only what you paid for but the Ministry are so tight now and liable to descend on you at any minute anywhere, be that office, yard or on the road, without notice with the power to impound all vehicles from that fleet if they see fit so companies have to adhere to the rules else they will lose their licence and their livliehood.
 
I used Equestrivan for my yard move in April. They were fab - fitted me in on short notice (rang the day before!), turned up when she said she would, lovely lorry, nice driver. It was a short journey, so I don't think we gave my mare hay (she wouldn't eat it anyway!) - I really can't remember if there was already some on board when I loaded up. She used to keep her horse at the yard I was leaving, so we had a natter and went to see her old horse in the field (she sold him to a girl who keeps him there still). Then she came and saw my mare turned out in her new field when we arrived. Very friendly, very professional, and reasonably priced. She's a member on here too :)
 
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