A spate of accidents involving horseboxes in the past few weeks has been a clear indicator that as the darker nights and wet weather starts to take hold, it’s essential that you do those winter checks now before you and your horsebox become part of this year’s accident statistics! So what should you be checking?
#1 – Tyres
The first point of contact with the road surface and essential for your safety and that of your animal, your horsebox tyres need to be in peak condition to cope with winter extremes. You may not be using your horsebox as often as you do in the summer, but don’t let that be an excuse to allow the condition of your tyres to deteriorate. Check the pressure before you set off and that it’s in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations, and that the tread is in good condition. Check for cracks, damage or splits in the sidewall, and remove stones that have become wedged into the tread.
#2 – Brakes
While the brakes on your car may be working fine, what about those on your horsebox? A ton of horse and trailer will do a lot of damage if you can’t stop it safely, so ensure that all hydraulic hoses, brake pads and calipers are in perfect condition. If in doubt, get a professional mechanic to check your brakes over for you.
#3 – Electrics
With darker evenings and murky, misty weather, it’s essential that you can be seen clearly by other road users. Check that all your electrics are working properly, and don’t forget that you must ensure that all interior lights are in good working order too, before you head off.
4# – The chassis and panelling
Damp, cold weather can take a real toll on wood and metal, especially if your horsebox has been standing in a field or barn for a long time. Before you load your animal into the box, make sure that the panelling on the gate will be able to take the weight of a horse and is sound. Check around welded joins for signs of rust or weak spots.
#5 – Your insurance
If you’re parking your horsebox up for the winter it can be very tempting to let your horsebox insurance slide. But the winter months are perfect for opportunistic thieves, and rural theft is on the rise. Can you afford to replace a stolen horsebox out of your own pocket? Make sure your horsebox insurance premiums are kept up to date to give yourself some peace of mind.