Horse transport company - thinking of starting one. What do i need to know?

[IcarusGirl]

We're thinking of selling our trailer, buying a two horse 3.5tn box that i can drive for myself, and putting it up for hire, with my dad as the driver.

There are a couple of local businesses that do it around here and they are always fully booked so there is obviously still room in the market for another one.

Now, i know we need to contact DEFRA, thats on the list of things to do. Would a 3.5tn box with a payload of 1200kg take your average 'two horses under 16.2'? Obviously i need to think about weight of tack/people/extras as well...

This is all theoretical at the moment. But as we're paying out for a nice shiney posh horse box, it might be a nice way of getting some income from it. Plus my dads just retired and he's looking for something to do part-time.

Any insight? Good or bad idea?

[BEX101]

you'll need to look up driving hours regulations.

[CityLights]

Driving regulations as there is certain hours resctirting drivng now, and also you need to do a DEFRA course on transporting horses, either long (8+hours) or short distance its dead easy, think its called something like certifacte of compentacy but im not 100% ages since i did mine

[nic]

Originally Posted by IcarusGirl

Now, i know we need to contact DEFRA, thats on the list of things to do. Would a 3.5tn box with a payload of 1200kg take your average 'two horses under 16.2'? Obviously i need to think about weight of tack/people/extras as well...

No, on average a horse weighs half a ton...ie 500kg + A full tank of diesel + water + passengers + Tack etc etc etc.
A 3.5t lorry will, just about, carry 1 horse legally. Unless you are transporting shetlands, then it will carry many.

If you are looking at doing horse transportation you would be better off doing your HGV and being able to drive a 7.5t lorry...youd get a bigger market.

as CL says there are laws on hours driven now, something along the lines of your Dad works full time he probably wouldnt be able to drive the lorry as a job because he must have a full 24 hours off a week or something....alot of the driving laws for lorries can be found on VOSA, dont bother with DVLA as they are pants.

[eeek]

The other problem with a 3.5T is that the centre of gravity is very high in many of them. Also they are especially expensive to buy because anybody can drive one.

7.5T might be the way to go. Does anybody know how difficult it is to pass an HGV test because I'm going to need to at some point?

[fell lover]

Originally Posted by eeek

7.5T might be the way to go. Does anybody know how difficult it is to pass an HGV test because I'm going to need to at some point?

Larger vehicles are often easier to drive than smaller ones Liz - you will be fine x

[chance encounter]

I do believe that there are too many restrictions with having a 7.5t and it is a very costly affair. A few years ago I bought my first 7.5t from a transport company who were just starting out. DEFRA had just changed the laws and they couldnt afford to keep the 7.5t and sold it and bought a 3.5t and continued with their business.

I also have a friend here in Cheshire who has just started her business as a horse transporter with a 3.5t lorry. I can ask her what she had to do before she could start if you like.

[IcarusGirl]

CE that would be fab if you could ask your friend. To be honest, my dad has got his heart set on buying a horsebox, it would just be nice to get a bit of extra money from it if possible, now my dad's retired he'd like something to do!