Well we didn't get to the vets because the horsebox caught fire...

[dwi]

As you may know we were due to go to the vets yesterday afternoon because Daisy has some lingering back pain from her last saddle but we wanted to rule out that it was anything more serious.

I went down to the yard nice and early to get ready and decided to take the box the 3min drive to the petrol station to fill up before I loaded Daisy so that we wouldn't be adding extra time once she was in. It was making a bit of a funny noise but it stopped on the way to the garage so I didn't think anything of it because it was the first time I had driven it since we bought it. I got to the garage, filled up and then it made the funny noise all the way home. As I pulled up on the yard smoke started to come from under the bonnet, I leapt out and ran for help with visions that the whole thing was going to set the barn on fire and burn down the whole yard. Thankfully with the help of some water in Daisy's feedbucket I managed to put the flames out. YO looked at it and reckons that the starter motor jammed on and then overheated causing the fire. I had to be towed off the middle of the yard by his tractor

and the mechanic is coming this afternoon to have a look at it.

Fingers crossed its not too expensive and I haven't accidentally bought a death trap.

Most of my panicking about the vet has gone now though, at least Daisy wasn't in it at the time and I didn't have to unload her from a burning vehicle in the midddle of town.

I'm off to buy a fire extinguisher from Halfords this morning

 

[Hullabaloo]

That's really scary

Are you sure Daisy didn't sabotage it so she didn't have to go to the vets

 

[amandathepanda]

OMG! Thank god your horse wasn't on board

If you have only just bought it, perhaps you should speak to the people who sold it to you?

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Unfortunately seized starters (and brakes) are very common and usually the result of too little mileage according to my mechanic. Our box is out 2/3 times a week over winter and that keeps everything free, mechanic said he gets loads of callouts in the spring to non-starters, non movers etc. I would get it fixed and checked over then make a habit of using it at least once a week even if its just to get feed.