*Images courtesy of I.C.E. Horseboxes
If you're a horse owner, then you'll know that transporting your horses can sometimes be a challenge, and that if you haven't already been required to transport your horses by road, sooner or later you may need to.
This can be done in a horsebox, which is essentially a large drivable trailer that houses horses safely and securely for transportation. Horseboxes come in all shapes and sizes, and it's important to choose the right one for your needs. You need to make sure that the horsebox you choose is big enough to accommodate the number of horses or ponies you are planning to transport, as well as any other equipment you might need to transport with them. Our guide "Buying and Owning a 3.5 Tonne Horsebox... Safely!" covers the basics of buying a 3.5 tonne horsebox, so in this article, we'll take a look at what you should consider when buying a 7.5 tonne horsebox.
Firstly, it's worth noting that the terms 'horsebox' and 'horse trailer' are sometimes used interchangeably, so to clarify, a horsebox is a self-contained vehicle which includes an engine, driver cabin, and horse transport areas, all built on the same chassis. Horseboxes can be seen as similar to an RV or light goods van, whereas, a horse trailer is a detached unit that needs a towing vehicle to transport it. Some trailers can only accommodate one horse while others have space for multiple animals.
How many horses or ponies are you planning to transport?
It's likely that the answer to this question will determine what tonnage of horsebox you require. If you only have one light horse or two ponies, a 3.5 tonne horsebox will likely suffice, but If you own two or more large horses, you'll require a 7.5 tonne horsebox or larger to carry the weight.
When you're searching for a horsebox, it's incredibly important to understand payload and the maximum authorised mass (MAM) - which, if exceeded, can make insurance void, put other road users at risk and potentially cause legal implications.
The payload is the amount of weight your horsebox is able to legally hold. This weight includes your horse(s), people, fuel, water and tack. If you're unsure of the payload of your horsebox, you can take it to a weighbridge to get an accurate reading, but typically the manufacturer of your vehicle should be able to advise you of the payload of your horsebox, unless there have been changes made since the product was bought. In short, the payload is the maximum weight of all included cargo, minus the weight of the vehicle itself.
If you still need more information, this guide from KPH Horseboxes explains unladen weight, maximum authorised mass and payload in great detail, and will be a useful resource to use when educating yourself on horsebox ownership and the legal requirements of operating a horsebox.
What licence will I require?
In order to drive a 7.5 tonne horsebox, you will require a category C1 licence, which enables you to operate a horsebox that is between 3.5 - 7.5 tonnes of maximum authorised mass (MAM is the amount of weight the horsebox can carry safely when it’s being used on the road). As driving a horsebox with a load of this weight can introduce you to concerns you wouldn't experience when driving a car (such as differences in braking and turning corners), it is recommended that individuals that are new to horsebox ownership and horse transportation take the appropriate training before taking their 7.5 tonne horsebox on the road. You can access training via the HGVT Training centre here.
What to look out for when viewing secondhand horseboxes
We recommend that you always view a horsebox before your purchase, regardless of whether it is new or used, to ensure you get the scope of the vehicle and can truly determine whether it is suitable for your needs. When checking a horsebox physically, there are a few things that you should keep in mind, and areas of the vehicle you should pay extra attention to.
The floor in the horse/stall area
More affordable horseboxes tend to have floors that are made from plywood, with rubber matting or coatings on the surface. In good condition, this style of flooring is more than capable of taking the weight of the horses or ponies you are transporting, but it is always necessary to inspect the condition of the flooring in this area before committing to a sale. When inspecting wooden flooring, lift up the matting that is on the surface and check for any potential rotting, water damage or other structural weaknesses in the form of cracks or holes.
Wooden flooring can be relatively easily replaced if you feel that it requires it, so it's worth keeping this in mind, especially if there's a small amount of damage present that's not quite enough to call a stop to the sale altogether. It might even be worth asking the seller if they know any further history about the existing flooring, or whether they could recommend a place to seek repairs or refitting.
The underside of the flooring in the horse/stall area
Once you've finished your inspection of the flooring from within the stalls, it's wise to take a look at the floor from underneath the vehicle to see if there is anything you have missed from within, as the view from the ground up may expose unexpected issues.
The ramp
You should aim to do a similar inspection of the ramp that is attached to the horsebox, as this component is just as important as the main flooring, and can wear quickly if used often. If you struggle to lift the ramp yourself, there's always the potential to adjust the springs on the ramp to allow for a little more support - there's nothing worse than struggling with the weight of your ramp whilst getting your horses ready for their journey.
The ceiling
Just like the floor, it's important that the ceiling of your horsebox is structurally sound in order to avoid placing your horses, ponies, or any other cargo, in direct danger of a broken roof. You should aim to keep an eye out for leaks or deep cracks in the surface. Cracks in the surface of the ceiling can typically be repaired with ease, by replacing the existing sealant and blocking up any cracks that have appeared. Areas that have seen some moisture build up due to leaks will require cleaning and further inspection/care.
Ventilation, partitions and overall safety within the horse area
Ensure you check that ventilation is in good condition, as well as the partitions between stalls. These are easy details to miss, but are very important things to keep in mind when transporting your horses, both for their safety and comfort. You should aim to make note of any loose fittings or sharp edges that could hurt your horse or pony - these will need to be replaced, fixed, or even removed if you are able. Making sure your horse would be comfortable within this space is one of the most important aspects to consider when horsebox shopping. You also want to check thoroughly that the partition between the drivers cab and the horse area is sufficiently strong, for general safety, and that you would be able to get your horse out of this area efficiently in the event of an emergency.
Leaks and rust
If a leak has been present on a surface for a long period of time, the material may have some indication of mould, rotting or rust, so being aware of this kind of damage when viewing a horsebox can help inform your buying decision. Rust on surfaces or underneath the cab is common, especially in older horsebox models, and is ususally not too much of a problem, as long as it isn't the kind of rust that deeply penetrates the material, causing further breakdown of the surface.
Living area and drivers cab
If the horsebox you are viewing has a living area of any kind, it's worth checking that lights, appliances, windows and any other necessary features are in working order. Buying a horsebox is already a big investment, so the last thing you want is to have to splash out on fixing things that should have already been in working order, such as toilets or water systems. In the same way as you did during your inspection of the horse area, you want to ensure that this area is also safe for use, and that you would be able to escape the vehicle efficiently in the event of an emergency that required the evacuation of yourself and your horses.
Typically, official horsebox dealers will take care of these checks for you, and make you aware of any areas of concern. But if you're purchasing a horsebox from a private seller, or someone who isn't a horse owner (and therefore has less understanding of the importance of, or less experience recognising, the issues that are unique to horseboxes), it's worth educating yourself on how to perform these checks properly, so you can be confident in your purchasing decision and avoid any disagreements with a seller.
Mileage
If the mileage on a horsebox is high, don't despair! This can be perfectly normal, especially as some horseboxes may have had previous lives as commercial vehicles used to carry heavy cargo on a daily basis. As long as the vehicle has been well looked after and runs well, the mileage isn't something to worry too much about.
Newer, more expensive horsebox models are sometimes built on brand new chassis'. These models will therefore have a higher asking price, but often allow for an easier resale further down the line, as the mileage will likely still be much lower than most at the point of sale.
Paperwork and finance
Once you feel like you've found the right 7.5 tonne horsebox for your needs, you must make sure that you receive an HPI (Hire Purchase Investigation) certificate, which contains a basic vehicle history check. These certificates disclose whether the vehicle you are planning to purchase has been financed elsewhere, written off due to insurance claims, stolen or damaged in past accidents. A clear HPI certificate gives you the peace of mind required before completing a purchase.
You're ready to buy!
Once you've performed all the checks above, you're ready to purchase your ideal 7.5 tonne horsebox.
If you're thinking about buying a 7.5 tonne horsebox for the first time, or upgrading your existing model, we hope this guide has been helpful and has given you food for thought in terms of what to look out for during the process. Remember to do your research and ask around for advice from those who have more experience than you - there are lots of knowledgable equestrians out there who would be more than happy to help.
If you're ready to start your search, you can view all 7.5 tonne horseboxes available on Horsemart here. Looking for something smaller? Check out all horseboxes for sale on Horsemart and use our filters to find the tonnage you're looking for.
Need more horsebox related advice? Whether you're looking for more buying guides, information about horsebox finance, or details on insurance and breakdown cover, you can find it all in the Horseboxes & Trailers section of our community blog:
- Buying and Owning a 3.5t Horsebox... Safely!
- The Complete Guide to Horsebox Insurance with SEIB
- Safe Storage of Your Horsebox or Trailer
- Buying a Horsebox on Finance - How Does it Work?
Buying & SellingEquestrian Advice & GuidesBuying AdviceGeneral Equestrian AdviceHorseboxes & Trailers
