Transporting your horses

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ThomasandTia

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Ok we've got 2 horses one a 16hh Cleveland bay cross cob the other is our 2 1/2 14.1hh gypsy vanner cob we will we will be showing them next year not sure if to change car for a 4x4 and get a trailer or keep current car ( as so good on fuel) and get a (cheap) 7.5t lorry, how does everyone else move their horses?
 
ive done both and personally prefer a horsebox to a trailer BUT it is more costly. you have to allow for 2 lots of tax,insurance,mot/plating, maintenance etc. also depends how many shows you are going to do as its not really good for any vehicle to stand doing nothing for weeks on end and then when you go to start it you could have problems.

so my short answer is a box if you are going to do lots of shows and a 4x4 and trailer if not so many...
 
I don't have transport, but a friend has an Ifor Williams trailer if she needs to go anywhere.

I'd say, from looking myself, your generally get more trailer for your money, and the upkeep tends to be cheaper, but it depends what you want to do, if you'd like something with living and personal preference I suppose, I know my friend isn't a great fan of reversing the trailer. My last horse was about 17hh anmd fit comfortably in the largest ifor.

Also can depend how your horse travels, my old boy didn't like loading in the trailer, but was fine when in, and funnily enough perfectly fine on the way home! Current horse loads and travels fine.

I do think trailers tend to be a bit roomier.
 
I've had both, a lorry is nicer for horses and us - designed to carry the weight and stoage/ changing/ tea drinking space is great. But, it's more expensive - platings can easily average £1k for minor bits and pieces in middle aged lorries.
Lorries last and run better the more they are used, if you'll definitely use it at least once week and ideally more than that Id consider a lorry. If you're going out 2/3 times a month - trailer overall better
 
What do you find best to tow with I know about the running costs of the 7.5t as I'm a transport manager and a lorry driver would the costs of running a large 4x4 style car not outweigh the running cost of having the 7.5t both ours load excellent
 
It's cheaper for me to run a small car and a lorry than it was to run my 4x4 and trailer, as I had to use my 4x4 all the time as my only car. It depends how much driving you do I think, I save a fortune not having a trailer and 4x4 now!
 
I agree with all of the above we have a trailer and Land Rover due to cost. We only use it once or twice a month. Well done on having a Cleveland Bay great breed.
 
She sure is she is an angel I used to use my old freelander td4 when we only had our youngster but wouldn't like to tow the 2 with one of those anymore I've towed with a discovery and found them lacking in power compared to the smaller freelander
 
Hi we have an Ifor & Discovery to tow with & usually take 2 15.3 s out with us & I couldn't justify having a lorry as not used enough - the fuel on Discovery can be a killer for everyday use - I suppose if you use use trailer every week then maybe think about a lorry , you obviously have experience & will know about repair & testing costs etc x
 
I've never spent more than £700 on one plating ( new tyres ) A few years ( had it 8! ) I've only spent around £200/£300 and some years nothing. If you know what you're looking at then I would chose a lorry over a big car and trailer, but then I cycle to work and borrow my oh or my daughters car if I need one!

I do try and use my lorry at least once a week, and I use it for camping a few times a year..........a luxury I know :)
 
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