Latest News
Getting on the road in 2009...
This is a great time of the year. The days are finally starting to get a little longer, schooling plans are well under way and we can start to prepare for a full and successful competition season. However, before we venture outside the yard gates with our trusty steeds suited, booted and ready for the challenges that you may present them with, it’s vital to make certain that your horse box is in tip top shape to give you many safe and trouble-free journeys.
Here we want to give you some advice on how to make sure your travel plans run as smoothly as possible.
- It may sound obvious, but a vital step before you head out on the open road is to make sure your lorry is taxed and fully insured. It’s also vital to check that your breakdown / recovery service covers you for a horse transport vehicle and won’t leave you stranded should you run into trouble with horses on board your vehicle.
- A full annual service by a qualified and professional mechanic is an essential requirement for any horse lorry. It’s a good idea to get this done well before you plan to go to your first show of the season so that your lorry is back in plenty of time, should any non-routine work be needed.
- The outside and underside of your lorry should be power-washed regularly, especially after use.
- You should occasionally take your cleaning routine that bit further and remove floor matting, power-wash the inside of the box and allow it to dry thoroughly before replacing the matting.
- If your lorry has a wooden floor, check it regularly for signs of rotting. We’ve all read tragic reports of floors giving way while horses are in transit, and the results can be catastrophic. If your floor is showing any signs of wear, it’s imperative that you have this assessed immediately and consider that it may be time to upgrade your lorry as the modern, high tech materials used in new lorries offer a much more secure, stable and safe structure.
- When traveling with horses, whether along or in company, you should always carry a fully charged mobile phone – wherever you’re heading for. Save the emergency helpline numbers for your breakdown/ recovery service company, your vet and your insurance company into your phone so they’re easy to find should you need them.
About once a month, you should run through the following check list to make sure your lorry receives the attention it deserves, and make a date in your diary to remind you. Remember - your horse's safety depends on you!
- Check that the headlights and indicators are working correctly.
- Check all tyres for signs of wear and ensure that the tyre pressures are correct, including your spare tyre. If your lorry is over 3.5 tonnes you should carry a spare tyre without a spare wheel, as assistance will be required to change the wheel anyway.
- Check all water levels (including windscreen washer).
- Check all oils and change oil and fuel filters regularly, especially after high mileage or a long winter break.
- Ensure that your air brakes are adjusted correctly and regularly and make sure that you pressurise brakes and check for leaks with the engine switched off.
- Check all internal lights, including a check of warning lights as it’s possible for these bulbs to blow.
- Loading and Unloading lights should be fitted in winter and should clearly illuminate the ramp, the inside of the horse box and the area surrounding the ramp, so that the horses can see where they’re going. Make sure lights point away from the horses to avoid glare.
Once you’re confident your lorry is in excellent working order, it’s simply a matter of preparing your horses, loading up and hitting the open road!
< back
|
Latest NewsWe're Expanding!
Welcome to the brand new Annard Horsebox web site
Getting on the road in 2009...
Annard have designed the easy mover partition
To fully appreciate the quality & comfort of our horse boxes, you'll need to call and experience it for yourself!
|
