Self hire or transporter?

Fjord

Fjord

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This is hypothetical (at the moment). If you were buying a horse that is about 3 1/2 hours away, would you self hire and drive them back yourself, or hire a transporter to do it?

I'm very much hoping this is a decision for me to make soon...
 
I had my own 7.5t that I’d driven for years, but when I bought a new horse about 2 hours away I used a transporter to bring him home. My reason for this was i would have found it really stressful, travelling a young horse i didn’t know on my own, on the motorway. It was worth every penny. I also used a transporter when I was without my own transport to pick up my horse and take him to the vet, and then return him the next day. It was about a 40 minute drive and worked out cheaper than self drive hire for 2 days even before I took the fuel into consideration. For a 3.5 hour drive I would definitely use a transporter and spend the morning at yard instead, getting ready for the new arrival.
 
I paid a transporter to bring a pony from N Somerset to Surrey, excellent value for money. That journey was 2 3/4 minimum each way.
 
I have used a transporter x 2. Both times they were well cared for and updates of the ETA. There is nothing more exciting than waiting with anticipation to hear the lorry trundling down your road.
 
I’ve always hired & transported myself, however I was a regular with the horsebox hire place and was very used to how to drive & transport horses.

If you’re less familiar with driving them yourself I’d suggest paying for a transporter, as it takes a lot of the stress out of it.
 
Would you rather have the help and expertise of the transporter? that is the big question.

That could depend on how easy the horse is to transport, what kind of transport they are used to, how experienced you are, if you have experienced help...

However, I would avoid a big shared load or the journey is likely to be well over 4 hours with some companies!

Bear in mind the direction of travel too. We once borrowed an 18T wagon to replace our 18T wagon for the day as ours was in for service. We hadn't realised that the one we borrowed wasn't herringbone, it was sets of 2 forward facing. Very confusing for the normally super-travellers.

If it is a mature horse, used to travel in a 3.5 tonne, and you often travel, then I would self-drive a 3.5 tonne. If it is used to a herringbone box, is less mature, you are less experienced/confident, then I would use a transporter with herringbone box who can deliver without visiting 3 other premises on the way. Unless the horse is used to going in a herringbone box and you intend to go in a 3.5 tonne going forward, and are not confident to make the switch yourself, in which case I would use a transporter with a 3.5 tonne to do the trip and do some training at the same time!

So many variables!

The fact that you asked the question on here makes me think a transporter is the way to go. But pick a good one and make sure the journey isn't made exaggeratedly long.
 
Thank you all. My husband, who'd be driving, is not particularly experienced, he's driven boxes and lorries before but to a massive amount. Not sure about the hypothetical pony, they've not travelled at all for the last 18 months. Looks like it will be a transporter then. 😊
 
I’d hire the transporter to take the stress out of it. I’ve used a great company locally to me and get on really well with the driver, so she’s been happy to take me along as a passenger - might be an option if you feel you want to be there?
 
I would transport myself, and I have done it with a rising 2 I bought who was a similar time of travel away. I only use a transporter for international travel and only one particular company (Parkers) as I had a bad experience with another (ETA) where my mare had bumped her head, was without forage and looked completely exhausted. I lost my much loved mare a month later, it's not completely the fault of the transport company as the stud she was with hadn't been feeding her properly but the fact she was without forage shows they didn't care much either.

The seller will probably help you load the horse and once you get going you just need to drive carefully.

ETA : Parkers I have used 3 times and the care has always been top notch. Now thinking of it I have actually also used them for a 3 hours trip to transport said 2 years old.
 
Definitely transporter.
I’m well used to driving 3.5t but for moves of that distance unless you have your own box, transporter every time.
Not only do you have the drive there and back but also the drive to go and collect/drop off the hire box plus the cleaning it out etc when really all you want to be doing is hanging around the yard watching new pony!
 
I've not yet found a non-horse person that realises quite how slow and steady they need to drive, so I'd hire professionals if I wasn't doing it myself.
 
Thanks all. I've got a quote from my preferred person and it's coming in at a very reasonable ballpark of £440, so I'm definitely going to go with that. You're right, the stress would be immense and it wouldn't be any cheaper collecting ourselves either.

Fingers crossed I shall have pictures to post soon. 😊
 
You've made the right decision, I think. If husband is not experienced in transporting livestock, it's a big ask. I wouldn't transport for that long and I have quite a bit of experience driving lorries and towing livestock. I find it mentally exhausting!
 
For that distance I would get a transporter that's a whole day of driving not factoring in any traffic delays.

I actually think that quote is pretty reasonable when you think of the price of fuel on top of the hire vehicle.

At least you can stay and wait in anticipation for your new pony🤣
 
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