Horsey horsey...
Discussion
LooneyTunes said:
You need an annual test, but general maintenance requirements aren’t generally that onerous (assuming in good condition when you start).
We bought a cheap one 15 or so years ago, got rid and used a trailer for a few years, and then got a more expensive one a couple of years ago. Based on this:
1) You’re right that reliability is critical. As soon as they’re not confident it will get them there/back it just won’t get used.
2) Make sure they can throw the ramp up/down without assistance. Should be possible with any in good condition, if not they won’t use it as often… and the struts are apparently expensive.
3) Make sure there’s keypad access to the living (and you put a safe in there). If you don’t, the whole thing will be left unlocked (with the keys in). You’d like to think that people are honest but you want handbags etc out of the way and the vehicle itself to be incapable of growing legs.
4) Aircon is well worth it, if you can find one with it fitted.
5) Make sure there are sufficient seats/belts for the number of passengers you’ll have. If you’ve historically driven separately to watch events, factor in that you might want this to change if you suddenly have the option of a fridge full of beer/wine, especially if you get on with other others who might also appreciate a cold drink or two.
I saved a significant sum when buying by persuading MrsLT (who was all set on getting a new build done) to get one that was a few years old “to see what she’d change when building one”. A respray from the manufacturer (from whom we bought it) and new badges cost under £5k and made it look “as new” externally, with a horsey plate to hide age. I think that was four years ago, and she’s not made any noises about changing it.
Thanks for the advice. Thankfully it was very dry when but we are keeping an eye on it anyway, it has quite good ventilation as well which should help (fingers crossed).We bought a cheap one 15 or so years ago, got rid and used a trailer for a few years, and then got a more expensive one a couple of years ago. Based on this:
1) You’re right that reliability is critical. As soon as they’re not confident it will get them there/back it just won’t get used.
2) Make sure they can throw the ramp up/down without assistance. Should be possible with any in good condition, if not they won’t use it as often… and the struts are apparently expensive.
3) Make sure there’s keypad access to the living (and you put a safe in there). If you don’t, the whole thing will be left unlocked (with the keys in). You’d like to think that people are honest but you want handbags etc out of the way and the vehicle itself to be incapable of growing legs.
4) Aircon is well worth it, if you can find one with it fitted.
5) Make sure there are sufficient seats/belts for the number of passengers you’ll have. If you’ve historically driven separately to watch events, factor in that you might want this to change if you suddenly have the option of a fridge full of beer/wine, especially if you get on with other others who might also appreciate a cold drink or two.
I saved a significant sum when buying by persuading MrsLT (who was all set on getting a new build done) to get one that was a few years old “to see what she’d change when building one”. A respray from the manufacturer (from whom we bought it) and new badges cost under £5k and made it look “as new” externally, with a horsey plate to hide age. I think that was four years ago, and she’s not made any noises about changing it.
Phooey said:
Fantastic - thanks for info and advice, LT. I'll let you know how I get on... although i did speak with a few of the 'regarded' builders today and they were saying a 4.5t or 5t with living might be a better option (something like an I.C.E. Prestige or Aeos Discovery 45 - just 2 examples) so currently exploring these.. although prices seem to be higher than originally budgeted. Typical <sigh>
By coincidence, ours is a KPH (a Helios 7.5). Would recommend both the product and the company. If you’re thinking of going for a smaller one you really have to ask yourself what benefit you get vs the trade-offs and risk of being overweight when full. That said, Kevin seems to know his stuff and it’s not in his interest to sell you something that doesn’t work. If you go and talk to him it becomes really obvious that he’s made a few and has thought it all through.
ETA: I see the Helios he has advertised has a huge tack locker that intrudes on the horse accommodation. Ours doesn’t have that. Don’t know it it could be removed for a few £ if you didn’t want it, but worth being aware that they’re not all like that.
MrsLT looked at the smaller ones but thought they were a bit compromised for what she wanted, but she does have a few large horses and space to keep it.
Now, the one thing I wish someone would do is a good wagon that can swap between horse and track car transport duties….
CantDecide said:
Thanks for the advice. Thankfully it was very dry when but we are keeping an eye on it anyway, it has quite good ventilation as well which should help (fingers crossed).
Hopefully no issues, but it’s one of those things that if you don’t know to watch out for you’d probably not expect. Edited by LooneyTunes on Tuesday 27th June 08:16
LooneyTunes said:
By coincidence, ours is a KPH (a Helios 7.5). Would recommend both the product and the company.
If you’re thinking of going for a smaller one you really have to ask yourself what benefit you get vs the trade-offs and risk of being overweight when full. That said, Kevin seems to know his stuff and it’s not in his interest to sell you something that doesn’t work. If you go and talk to him it becomes really obvious that he’s made a few and has thought it all through.
ETA: I see the Helios he has advertised has a huge tack locker that intrudes on the horse accommodation. Ours doesn’t have that. Don’t know it it could be removed for a few £ if you didn’t want it, but worth being aware that they’re not all like that.
MrsLT looked at the smaller ones but thought they were a bit compromised for what she wanted, but she does have a few large horses and space to keep it.
Now, the one thing I wish someone would do is a good wagon that can swap between horse and track car transport duties….
Thanks again for reply and advice, LT. Yes I looked at the 7.5t he has (linked below) but speaking to a few other sellers/dealers/builders/owners it's a bit of a lottery of a vehicle of that age. Buying it isn't the problem, but if I have to start throwing money at it regularly (likely) it might take the fun out of the ownership. I think I need to go newer 7.5t (obviously upping the budget) or something like the Aeos 45. We only need to transport one pony (14.1h) at present... although obviously this could change in the future so do we future-proof now or buy something that is easy to sell/trade if we need to...If you’re thinking of going for a smaller one you really have to ask yourself what benefit you get vs the trade-offs and risk of being overweight when full. That said, Kevin seems to know his stuff and it’s not in his interest to sell you something that doesn’t work. If you go and talk to him it becomes really obvious that he’s made a few and has thought it all through.
ETA: I see the Helios he has advertised has a huge tack locker that intrudes on the horse accommodation. Ours doesn’t have that. Don’t know it it could be removed for a few £ if you didn’t want it, but worth being aware that they’re not all like that.
MrsLT looked at the smaller ones but thought they were a bit compromised for what she wanted, but she does have a few large horses and space to keep it.
Now, the one thing I wish someone would do is a good wagon that can swap between horse and track car transport duties….
https://www.kphltd.co.uk/kph-horseboxes-for-sale/
That’s very much the balance. With our old one, it wasn’t so much the money but rather the lack of confidence in it.
The problem with anything equestrian, whether it’s the horses or the kit, is that you seem to end up with more. And the horses seem to get bigger then, as if by magic, you’ve also got a little pony and/or a foal there too for [insert spurious/possibly plausible reason]…
Wagons are also, in some ways, like cars - perfect spec when you’re the buyer, wrong colour/size/wheel trim when you’re selling… but there are fewer dealers and some only seem to take them as trade ins. We got rid of our first one privately but I’m not sure I’d be as comfortable selling the current one that way (or indeed dealing with the fact that to do so you end up with no wagon or two wagons for a while).
Unless deliberately buying cheap or with a view to changing, I’d very much buy for the long term if funds allowed. Found the invoice for ours and it was a 12 plate chassis, more recent build, and we paid £60k (plus a bit for the respray and a couple of minor tweaks) in early ‘19. Each time it goes in to the local HGV place for service/plating we get told it’s rock solid. That said, I reckon Kevin would happily allow any inspection of the one he’s selling, and a £20k saving goes some way to the Le Mieux stuff they’ll hide in it.
One option though, if you’re fairly certain you won’t get more/larger horses is one of the trailers with living (and add the difference to a nice daily to pull it): https://www.equi-trek.com/products/star-treka I suspect they may not hold their value as well as a wagon, and need a 3.5t tow car, but you don’t have the extra insurance/plating/maintenance costs.
The problem with anything equestrian, whether it’s the horses or the kit, is that you seem to end up with more. And the horses seem to get bigger then, as if by magic, you’ve also got a little pony and/or a foal there too for [insert spurious/possibly plausible reason]…
Wagons are also, in some ways, like cars - perfect spec when you’re the buyer, wrong colour/size/wheel trim when you’re selling… but there are fewer dealers and some only seem to take them as trade ins. We got rid of our first one privately but I’m not sure I’d be as comfortable selling the current one that way (or indeed dealing with the fact that to do so you end up with no wagon or two wagons for a while).
Unless deliberately buying cheap or with a view to changing, I’d very much buy for the long term if funds allowed. Found the invoice for ours and it was a 12 plate chassis, more recent build, and we paid £60k (plus a bit for the respray and a couple of minor tweaks) in early ‘19. Each time it goes in to the local HGV place for service/plating we get told it’s rock solid. That said, I reckon Kevin would happily allow any inspection of the one he’s selling, and a £20k saving goes some way to the Le Mieux stuff they’ll hide in it.
One option though, if you’re fairly certain you won’t get more/larger horses is one of the trailers with living (and add the difference to a nice daily to pull it): https://www.equi-trek.com/products/star-treka I suspect they may not hold their value as well as a wagon, and need a 3.5t tow car, but you don’t have the extra insurance/plating/maintenance costs.
LooneyTunes said:
That’s very much the balance. With our old one, it wasn’t so much the money but rather the lack of confidence in it.
The problem with anything equestrian, whether it’s the horses or the kit, is that you seem to end up with more. And the horses seem to get bigger then, as if by magic, you’ve also got a little pony and/or a foal there too for [insert spurious/possibly plausible reason]…
Wagons are also, in some ways, like cars - perfect spec when you’re the buyer, wrong colour/size/wheel trim when you’re selling… but there are fewer dealers and some only seem to take them as trade ins. We got rid of our first one privately but I’m not sure I’d be as comfortable selling the current one that way (or indeed dealing with the fact that to do so you end up with no wagon or two wagons for a while).
Unless deliberately buying cheap or with a view to changing, I’d very much buy for the long term if funds allowed. Found the invoice for ours and it was a 12 plate chassis, more recent build, and we paid £60k (plus a bit for the respray and a couple of minor tweaks) in early ‘19. Each time it goes in to the local HGV place for service/plating we get told it’s rock solid. That said, I reckon Kevin would happily allow any inspection of the one he’s selling, and a £20k saving goes some way to the Le Mieux stuff they’ll hide in it.
One option though, if you’re fairly certain you won’t get more/larger horses is one of the trailers with living (and add the difference to a nice daily to pull it): https://www.equi-trek.com/products/star-treka I suspect they may not hold their value as well as a wagon, and need a 3.5t tow car, but you don’t have the extra insurance/plating/maintenance costs.
60k for a 7-yr old KP sounds great value LT! The problem with anything equestrian, whether it’s the horses or the kit, is that you seem to end up with more. And the horses seem to get bigger then, as if by magic, you’ve also got a little pony and/or a foal there too for [insert spurious/possibly plausible reason]…
Wagons are also, in some ways, like cars - perfect spec when you’re the buyer, wrong colour/size/wheel trim when you’re selling… but there are fewer dealers and some only seem to take them as trade ins. We got rid of our first one privately but I’m not sure I’d be as comfortable selling the current one that way (or indeed dealing with the fact that to do so you end up with no wagon or two wagons for a while).
Unless deliberately buying cheap or with a view to changing, I’d very much buy for the long term if funds allowed. Found the invoice for ours and it was a 12 plate chassis, more recent build, and we paid £60k (plus a bit for the respray and a couple of minor tweaks) in early ‘19. Each time it goes in to the local HGV place for service/plating we get told it’s rock solid. That said, I reckon Kevin would happily allow any inspection of the one he’s selling, and a £20k saving goes some way to the Le Mieux stuff they’ll hide in it.
One option though, if you’re fairly certain you won’t get more/larger horses is one of the trailers with living (and add the difference to a nice daily to pull it): https://www.equi-trek.com/products/star-treka I suspect they may not hold their value as well as a wagon, and need a 3.5t tow car, but you don’t have the extra insurance/plating/maintenance costs.
I've looked at them trailers but one of the reasons for buying a box is to get away from having a trailer. Missus won't tow it.
Foal you say? hahahaahah... no chance i would of said. We've now got a 1-yr old too (forgot about him)
We had lots of these debates but have settled on a Ford ranger and a horsebox for now. The ranger can be used everyday although it is a bit long but it carries a family well and you can put anything you like in the back. It tows amd ifor Williams really well and also will do a tonne in the back if needed.
We’ve looked at all sorts of options and it’s down to your circumstances
We’ve looked at all sorts of options and it’s down to your circumstances
Phooey said:
60k for a 7-yr old KP sounds great value LT!
I've looked at them trailers but one of the reasons for buying a box is to get away from having a trailer. Missus won't tow it.
Foal you say? hahahaahah... no chance i would of said. We've now got a 1-yr old too (forgot about him)
Yes, we were pleased with the deal we got. Think there was an element of right place, right time. I've looked at them trailers but one of the reasons for buying a box is to get away from having a trailer. Missus won't tow it.
Foal you say? hahahaahah... no chance i would of said. We've now got a 1-yr old too (forgot about him)
Trying to let you forget about the foal seems to be a well trodden path and can be thin end of the wedge! MrsLT bought one a couple of year ago. It’s now in the process of getting AI’d even though we already seem to have more horses that cut grass than actually do anything…
Our 7.5t was a game changer over the Rangie Towing a trailer.
I added big solar power and leisure batts, we have fridge, freezer, heated air diesel heater, power shower, cooker, sink, hob and toilet…etc.
We added a new kitchen and I am raptor spraying the lower parts to freshen it up. We have stayed away in it for a week before and it was great for 3 of us.
The solar even charges the 24v starter batts once the leisure batts are full. Our lorry is known at the shows as being full of USB ports so all the teenagers drop by and charge their phones.
I added big solar power and leisure batts, we have fridge, freezer, heated air diesel heater, power shower, cooker, sink, hob and toilet…etc.
We added a new kitchen and I am raptor spraying the lower parts to freshen it up. We have stayed away in it for a week before and it was great for 3 of us.
The solar even charges the 24v starter batts once the leisure batts are full. Our lorry is known at the shows as being full of USB ports so all the teenagers drop by and charge their phones.
LooneyTunes said:
Yes, we were pleased with the deal we got. Think there was an element of right place, right time.
Things have definitely moved on (price wise) in the past few years... it's why we have held off... but now getting impatient. Prices have gone crazy for trailers, boxes, horses...like Oakley selling used 3.5t boxes at 52k+VAT! 7.5t boxes just look so much vfm (however I appreciate it's a smaller market)Phooey said:
LooneyTunes said:
Yes, we were pleased with the deal we got. Think there was an element of right place, right time.
Things have definitely moved on (price wise) in the past few years... it's why we have held off... but now getting impatient. Prices have gone crazy for trailers, boxes, horses...like Oakley selling used 3.5t boxes at 52k+VAT! 7.5t boxes just look so much vfm (however I appreciate it's a smaller market)Caddyshack said:
Phooey said:
LooneyTunes said:
Yes, we were pleased with the deal we got. Think there was an element of right place, right time.
Things have definitely moved on (price wise) in the past few years... it's why we have held off... but now getting impatient. Prices have gone crazy for trailers, boxes, horses...like Oakley selling used 3.5t boxes at 52k+VAT! 7.5t boxes just look so much vfm (however I appreciate it's a smaller market)And normal service has resumed.
My little girl (not so little actually but there you go) really struggled when we sold her first pony. I knew in my heart it was the wrong decision and we have really struggled.
The people Who bought him were amazing with us and agreed to sell him back to me so last weekend I hired a box, recruited some help and headed 4 hours north.
We got him back, surprised my daughter and as a parent it’s humbling to see just how much these animals get under the skin of your kids.
I’m certain he will never leave us again apart from when his time is up.
My little girl (not so little actually but there you go) really struggled when we sold her first pony. I knew in my heart it was the wrong decision and we have really struggled.
The people Who bought him were amazing with us and agreed to sell him back to me so last weekend I hired a box, recruited some help and headed 4 hours north.
We got him back, surprised my daughter and as a parent it’s humbling to see just how much these animals get under the skin of your kids.
I’m certain he will never leave us again apart from when his time is up.
Davie_GLA said:
And normal service has resumed.
My little girl (not so little actually but there you go) really struggled when we sold her first pony. I knew in my heart it was the wrong decision and we have really struggled.
The people Who bought him were amazing with us and agreed to sell him back to me so last weekend I hired a box, recruited some help and headed 4 hours north.
We got him back, surprised my daughter and as a parent it’s humbling to see just how much these animals get under the skin of your kids.
I’m certain he will never leave us again apart from when his time is up.
That’s so lovely - well done. Yes they certainly do get under your skin and I know my daughters first/current pony will never be sold. Helped a little because my daughter is small and will never out grow the little boy and he’s still pretty young. They have grown together in more ways than one.My little girl (not so little actually but there you go) really struggled when we sold her first pony. I knew in my heart it was the wrong decision and we have really struggled.
The people Who bought him were amazing with us and agreed to sell him back to me so last weekend I hired a box, recruited some help and headed 4 hours north.
We got him back, surprised my daughter and as a parent it’s humbling to see just how much these animals get under the skin of your kids.
I’m certain he will never leave us again apart from when his time is up.
So then this happened........
A few weekends ago I get a call.. "I'm competing at the Almondsbury show, would you like to come?"
I had nothing on, and Almondsbury's not that far away so I popped along.
Glad I did as she only went and won her first ever trophy!
I'm not sure she completely took in the fact that it'll be returned next year and have her and the horse's names engraved on it for all-time.
I still remember the first pot I won when I started rallying in 2003 so I have some idea of how much it meant to her. A lovely thing to witness.
No riding this weekend - away camping at some kind of car show apparently!
Well done Dave_GLA! Love a happy outcome.
A wee update on our journey, sadly our Welsh D has arthritis in both hocks; he went unsound a few months ago after many months of working with vets, xrays, steroid injections, and subsequent treatments haven't worked out. We have two choices, life as a happy hacker or PTS.
To make the choice harder, he's on the idiot side of the welsh D lines (loveable git that he is) and will eat himself to death if just put to pasture, he's colic'd in the past and lammi is a real threat if we put him out of work. Life really is s
t as love this big guy, I'm still fizzing mad as we only bought him a year ago, the horse world is indeed full of charlatans, and I have a very distraught 16-year-old daughter as the future looks grim for Jack, the previous owners would have known and have hidden this - as the vet put it his hocks are those of 22 yr old not a 10 yr old. Why was this not picked up before? he was 5 stage vetted, could have had injections done before we got him and we didn't x-ray before buying.... think our biggest lesson here is putting trust in folks too easily.
K50 DEL said:
So then this happened........
A few weekends ago I get a call.. "I'm competing at the Almondsbury show, would you like to come?"
I had nothing on, and Almondsbury's not that far away so I popped along.
Glad I did as she only went and won her first ever trophy!
I'm not sure she completely took in the fact that it'll be returned next year and have her and the horse's names engraved on it for all-time.
I still remember the first pot I won when I started rallying in 2003 so I have some idea of how much it meant to her. A lovely thing to witness.
No riding this weekend - away camping at some kind of car show apparently!
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