Sponsor Focus: Affordable transport solutions

Sponsor Focus: Affordable transport solutions

In this issue Equi-Trek explain the growing trend for hiring a horsebox or trailer.

In an increasingly difficult economic climate, horse owners might think twice before purchasing their own horsebox or trailer. However, lack of transport can also prevent owners from making the most of their time with their horse and hold back any ambitions to compete.

The solution to this dilemma is to hire, with many horse owners realising the benefit of short- and long-term hire over committing to buy.

• Short-term hire provides horse owners with the opportunity to occasionally hire a horsebox or trailer for as little as one day to a month, so if you need to get your horse to a vet’s appointment but don’t have your own transport, short-term hire makes total sense.

• Mid-term hire covers anything from two to 11 months and is a great option for those looking to secure transport for a whole season, with March to September being popular months, with the option to extend for a month or two.

• Long-term hire between 12 and 36 months is the fastest growing market with owners enjoying peace of mind knowing their transport is sorted for a set period of time. This type of hire is much like contract hire with a car where you never own the vehicle but have a fixed lowmonthly payment which includes all the maintenance (excluding tyres), warranty and running costs. Another advantage of long-term hire is that it doesn’t get registered on someone’s credit record so has much less of an effect on what they can borrow compared to a finance option.

What are the vehicle options?

Motorised vehicles are the most popular to hire out as the capital cost is much greater than a trailer, therefore more people can afford to buy a trailer than a motorised vehicle. If you can’t afford to buy you could possibly afford to take on hire as the initial payment is very low followed by small monthly payments. That said, trailers are becoming more popular to hire as people swap their motorised horsebox for a trailer, as the cost of living starts to bite.

The standard of living in trailers with overnight accommodation is excellent, so many owners now find it much more affordable not to run a horsebox when there are trailers that have everything they need, including a bathroom, kitchen area and bed.

Since the law on towing changed in December 2021, people can now legally tow without having to take a test which has also been a further incentive for people to swap their horsebox for a trailer.

Where should I hire from?

Make sure you choose a reputable company that has a wealth of experience so that you can discuss your requirements and ensure they are met by hiring the right horsebox or trailer for you.

A reputable company will also provide insurance. Unless it’s a proper hire company, then you will most likely be uninsured and would have a serious issue if stopped by the police or, even worse, had an accident. Also, the safety of the vehicle is a key issue. You don’t want to be hiring an old vehicle and have problems while you are away. Finally, you need to check there is breakdown cover and horse recovery included, just in case the worst happened.

For more information

Hire-Trek was established in 2016 to meet a growing demand for customers looking for short- and long-term hire. Hire-Trek use Equi-Trek vehicles that are less than three years old and they come with full equine rescue.

Equi-Trek also offers Flexi-Tow on Apollo horse trailers which provides you with the ultimate flexibility as you hire on a rolling contract and can cancel with just one month’s notice any time after the first 30 days.

To secure your Apollo on the FlexiTow deal simply pay an initial rental of £200 plus vat and your first month’s hire fee of £200 in advance. Find out more at equi-trek-apollo.com

For more information about the EquiTrek range of horseboxes and trailers for hire visit equi-trek.com or email hire@hire-trek.com.