Transport advice?

[TheBayThoroughbred]

Hi everyone, this is more of a general ask for advice as to what people do for transport. I live 20 minutes from Windsor Park and I would love to go hacking there, as well as do some drag hunting and local shows. Therefore, I really would like a horse box, but as I am 20 years old, with 2 years driving experience insuring it would cost a bomb (and the box itself would cost a bomb too!)

I don’t know anyone in the horsey community around here who I could go hacking or to shows with, so I don’t really have the option of going with friends (I keep my horses at home, which is amazing, but a little lonely sometimes!) I’ve used transport services before for vets office trips etc, but they’re very expensive and I’d like to be able to get out and do things without that extra cost.

I don’t know if this is a futile ask, but does anyone have ways that they worked around these issues themselves? I have saved enough to buy a horse box, but I wouldn’t be able to afford insurance on top of my existing car (and it’s a mini, so no chances of a trailer!) I do feel like I’m missing out on fun activities by being so isolated and without transport. Thank you all!

 

[Abacus]

It's so tricky at your age. Try a local FB (or other social media) group to try and find someone who has transport but would like company to go out with?

I'm making the assumption that you live at home with parents, might be wrong on this! - if so would they consider being a driver for you, if you bought a box?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'd check with WGP - they have a long wait list for passes, a friend had to wait over 2 years for hers that she got last May.
Currently the only way to go out there if you don't have a pass is to ride from a RS!

 

[Green Bean]

I believe there is a gap in the amateur horse world, those with a horse and transport but no one to ride with (i.e. horse doesn't hack alone) and those who would love to be a plus one but have no transport. I fall in the former category but don't want to go galloping across the countryside with a plus one (read horse goes bananas if another horse decides to go faster than a trot). Doesn't help you OP but certainly worth looking into on local FB pages to see if there is anyone out there who is looking for company. It sounds a bit like a lonely hearts club, but it really isn't

 

[Leandy]

Unless you have friends with transport who are willing to take you too when they are going, I think the only solutions are have your own transport or hire it. On the apparent cost of hiring, don't underestimate the costs of having your own transport when saying that hiring is expensive - so taking into account fuel, cost of vehicle, depreciation, service, MOT and repair costs as necessary, insurance, road tax, storage cost etc etc. I bet hiring is cheaper unless you do it more than about once a week. The best thing about having your own transport is more the convenience than cost to be honest.

 

[PeterNatt]

Owning a horsebox is expensive as it sits there most the time merrily rotting away and depreciating in value. However, they are convenient so if you wake up one day and fancy taking the horse somewhere. You would only be able to drive a 3.5 ton and in most cases because of their low payload of about 1 Ton they are only suitable for one horse, but you may be able to find a good older one - but always get it checked out by a good mechanic. The insurance should go down as you get older but at least you have got one to have some fun with. Good luck. If you are looking for an older one look for one that was built by Bloomfield, Boss, Marlborough, Kevin Parker or Oakley as they are all well built and try to find one built on a Renault Master Chassis pan cab. Good Luck!

 

[Abacus]

Insurance is almost impossible for drivers under 25 even on a 3.5 tonne.