Owning a horse can be a very costly affair, especially if you want to compete – even if only at amateur levels. If you decide to take your equestrian sporting endeavours a little more seriously then you will need to consider the legalities and logistics of transporting your horse and equipment from your home or livery yard to locations across the country – and even abroad. All of this means that you will need to invest in a horsebox, whether that’s a towed box or a motorised unit.
The legalities of moving horses around both at home and abroad can become very complex, especially if you do it for a living. Every part of the process is interlinked, and can have a direct bearing on your ability to operate a horsebox. And they all affect your insurance, especially if you drive a larger, motorised horsebox. Here are a few things you need to consider before you load your horse up and hit the road:
Towed horseboxes – the licence regulations
Firstly and most importantly, you must ensure that you have the correct driving licence to tow a horsebox. In the UK, you will need to ensure that your licence permits you to tow a trailer, and depending on the combination of towing vehicle and trailer (for example, the size or MAM {Maximum Authorised Mass} of the trailer), you will need to apply for a different category of licence. Briefly, the licence categories are:
- Category B licence – You may tow a trailer with a MAM not exceeding 750kg (e.g. a small garden trailer). If you do pull a trailer with a MAM of over 750kg you must ensure that:
- The actual weight of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3,500kg
- The actual weight of the trailer may not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle – so your trailer cannot be heavier than the vehicle towing it.
- Category B+E licence – this is the most useful for towed horsebox trailers. It allows you to tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg (i.e. a horse trailer).
- Category C1 licence – For vehicles that have a MAM of over 3,500kg but less than 7,500kg.
If you passed your category B licence (the standard driving licence) before January 1st 1997 you will have entitlement to drive C1+E with a ‘107’ restriction. This limits the actual weight of the combination of both towing vehicle and trailer to 8.25 tonnes. The trailer may have a MAM exceeding 750kg. A C1+E licence entitles you to drive a vehicle/trailer combination of up to 12,000kg.
If you’re unsure as to whether your licence allows you to pull a horsebox then check with the DVLA.
To tow a horsebox of any size you will probably need to have category B+E on your licence. To get this you may have to take a second test to ensure you are capable of towing a large trailer safely and competently. You can tow a trailer if the passenger sitting next to you passed their licence before 1997 (known as ‘grandfather rights’), but it is best to check first that they have the correct category on their licence before you hit the road. Failure to do so will invalidate your insurance and you will be breaking the law by driving with the wrong type of licence.
To find out the weight of a vehicle, look for a manufacturers or ministry plate. These are usually fixed to the inside of the passenger door frame.
Is your car big enough to tow?
Putting aside the legalities for a moment, you will also need to consider whether your vehicle is suitable for towing a horsebox. If it is too small or underpowered then it could be dangerous, particularly in challenging conditions. Don’t forget too, that you will often have to go ‘off-road’ to get onto fields or eventing arenas, so ensure that your vehicle can cope with tough, muddy conditions as well as driving on tarmac roads.
Do you need insurance for towed horseboxes?
While you don’t need independent insurance for a towed horsebox, it is wise to take out additional horsebox insurance cover to protect what is a very valuable asset. Horsebox insurance for towed horseboxes can cover everything from the theft or damage of your horsebox, to additional cover for the contents such as your tack, saddles and personal possessions. So while you may not legally require horsebox insurance to take your towed trailer on the road, it is a good idea.
Transporting other people’s horses
If you are transporting other people’s horses then as long as you are not charging a fee (other than the cost of petrol or diesel), then you do not need an operator’s licence. However, if you charge a fee to move someone else’s animals then you may need an operator’s licence. The regulations can be complex, especially if you are using a towed trailer rather than a motorised horsebox. If in doubt, check with the Guide for Horsebox Owners from the Vehicle and Operator’s Services Agency (VOSA), part of the Department of Transport.
Motorised boxes – do you need an HGV licence?
Motorised horseboxes can be much larger than towed vehicles, and in some instances (depending on the size of the vehicle) you may need to apply for a different licence. If the horsebox is very large then you may need an HGV licence to drive it.
Walkaround checks before you set off
If you take any vehicle on the road, whether it needs a special licence and insurance or not, it must be roadworthy. Horseboxes and motorised trailers are only used occasionally. So it’s important to do a ‘walkaround’ check before you set off to ensure that things such as tyre tread depths are within legal parameters, all lights (both external and internal) work properly, and that the vehicle is in good condition. Ensure that the hitching ball is secure and that all electrical connections are good. Don’t forget things such as reflectors, the overall condition of the trailer, and that the ramp is securely fastened before you head off.
Certificate of competence
If you are transporting your own horses or moving horses without any financial gain, then you will not need a certificate of competence. However, if you transport horses as a business for financial gain then you will need to apply for a Certificate of Competence, where you will need to demonstrate that you have the skills and ability to transport horses safely.
Tacographs – what you need to know
For large motorised horseboxes, you may need to adhere to the rules regarding tacographs. All vehicles over 7,500kg GVW have a tachograph. This will also limit the number of hours you can drive the vehicle; particularly important to consider if you are travelling abroad. If your vehicle is fitted with a tachograph but you only use the instrument as a speedometer, you must ensure that all the seals are intact. You must also ensure that it has been calibrated and fitted with both the calibration and K factor plaques.
Keeping your horsebox insured
Specialist horsebox insurance is essential for motorised vehicles, and strongly recommended for towed boxes. It’s best to talk to a trained expert when it comes to horsebox insurance, so look for brokers who have the experience and expertise in dealing with specialist cover, rather than ‘generic’ cover that may leave you out of pocket in the long run.
If you need any advice about horsebox insurance, or are looking for a cost-effective quote, get in touch with Park Insurance.