LIVING IN A HORSEBOX
You’ve
finally
qualified
for
the
Summer
Championships.
You’ve
done
your
best
to
work
out
how
to
fit
in
all
the
classes
from
the
timetable,
you
know
the
stable
manager and the guys who park the horseboxes - with any luck this is going to be your year.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
The
trip
to
the
Championships
at
the
end
of
each
season
is
very
often
the
longest
journey
of
the
year,
that
coupled
with
the
prospect
of
a
long
hot
summer
could well also make it the most traumatic. The big shows are always the most important. So make sure you get there with plenty of time to spare.
Whilst
we
all
hope
it
will
never
happen,
our
records
show
that
every
horsebox
on
the
road
is
likely
to
experience
some
form
of
difficulty
at
least
once
each
season.
Summer
is
our
busiest
period.
It
is
vital
that
horseboxes
and
trailers
are
looked
after
correctly
during
the
summer
months;
more
breakdowns
occur
in
the
June
to
September
period
at
any
other
time
of
the
year.
The
temperature
in
a
horsebox
or
trailer
can
get
to
unbearable
levels
and
horses
can
get
very
distressed while waiting at the roadside. Just a couple of hours spent checking your vehicle can help you avoid breakdowns and accidents.
•
Check all mirrors are intact and adjust them to suit your seating position and height
•
Check your tyre pressure and tread before leaving
•
Check all lights are working correctly
•
Check you have enough fuel to get to the destination
•
Check oil, water brake and clutch fluid
•
Carry a fully charged mobile phone with phone charger and extra battery.
•
Make sure you have the number for your breakdown organisation in the vehicle
•
Make sure you have the contact number of either a family member or a friend so you can let someone know what has happened.
•
Always plan your route to the destination before you leave and let your family or contact know the route you will be taking
•
Carry extra water for both the vehicle and for your horses
•
It is a good idea to carry spare hoses especially for the heater
•
Make sure that you have a spare fan belt
•
Make
sure
that
you
always
check
your
tyre
pressure
and
tread.
When
the
weather
is
very
warm,
tyres
can
become
excessively
hot
and
more
prone
to
blow outs - so remember to keep your speed down to a minimum
•
Check the distilled water level in batteries get them fully charged and make sure the will hold the charge.
On
a
showground,
constant
use
of
the
electrics
in
the
living
area
with
just
one
battery
would
almost
guarantee
your
lorry
not
starting
at
the
end
of
the
show.
Make
sure
that
you
have
a
separate
living
accommodation
battery
to
the
battery
on
your
lorry.
Get
someone
who
knows
about
auto
and
caravan
electrics
to
check
that
the
living
battery
is
charged
whilst
the
horsebox
engine
is
running.
It
must
be
fitted
with
a
relay
similar
to
a
caravan
to
avoid
draining
the
vehicle
battery. If you have a generator that is even better and do remember that many showgrounds now allow you to hook-up to the mains.
•
Check all bedding (human) is clean and dry
•
Renew
any
gas
bottles
on
the
lorry.
Make
sure
you
carry
a
gas
spanner
and
always
remember
that
the
thread
works
the
wrong
way
-
clockwise
to
undo,
anti-clockwise to tighten!
•
Check that gas hoses are not leaking or perished
•
Check the cooker works
•
Check the water heater and pilot light
•
Check any heating system is in order
•
Fill the water tanks check the pump and taps. A couple of Milton tablets in the tanks will help keep them sterile.
•
Check the fridge is working.
•
Store
all
your
food
in
your
fridge
at
home,
turn
the
lorry
fridge
on
the
day
before
you
leave
and
fill
it
already
chilled.
and
remember
to
remove
all
unnecessary packaging so that it takes up less room.
TRAVELING
Some general tips for any-one traveling with children and horses to keep them safe while mobile.
For
all
people
driving
a
horsebox
you
should
make
sure
that
all
doors
in
the
living
area
are
locked
and
secure
so
not
to
open
while
traveling.
It
is
a
good
idea
to
fit
an
extra
bolt
high
up
on
external
doors
-
out
of
the
way
of
little
fingers!
If
you
are
traveling
with
children
you
should
also
make
sure
that
they
are
wearing
seat
belts and are seated at all times also keep windows closed to ensure safety for children and pets.
Make sure all gas and water supplies are turned off. This particularly applies to the pilot light on the fridge if you go into a garage.
Ensure
that
horses
are
safely
and
securely
tethered
when
traveling
and
have
ample
space
between
partitions
that
are
secured
correctly.
Always
ensure
you
have sufficient food and water for your horses in case of delays caused by heavy traffic or breakdown
Always carry a spare head collar and rope and make sure that the ramp is secured properly before leaving base.
THE SHOW
If
you
can
follow
most
of
these
suggestions,
you
stand
a
good
chance
that
the
only
surprise
will
be
a
championship
or
an
evening
class,
but
even
then
don’t
get
caught out. Check the dress code for the rider and make sure you’ve either got it or can borrow it.
Good Luck!
ADDRESS
Whitehill Farm
Hamstead Marshall
Newbury
Berkshire RG20 0HP
CONTACT
e: info@prprescue.com
f: 01488 657651
Copyright PRP Rescues Services Ltd. 2020