Horsebox Breakdown Services
Breakdown membership with Equine Rescue Services Ltd, Equine Rescue Services Ltd provides a highly professional, nationwide emergency service for horseboxes and horse trailers that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We're here to help you cope with the emergencies you hope will never happen but just might, one day.One call to our freephone emergency number will get you straight through to a real person - one of our dedicated Incident Controllers, based in our control room at our headquarters in Dorset. Equine Rescue is run by people with an equestrian background, so you can rest assured that we understand the particular problems that you may face with your horse if you have an emergency such as a breakdown. Our emergency helpline operators and customer service advisers have had years of experience of dealing with situations such as the one you may find yourself in.
All our membership packages include callout and attendance of a mechanical agent for breakdown & tyre failure of your horsebox or horse trailer. If our agent cannot repair your vehicle, it will be recovered to the nearest suitable garage or your home, whichever is closer - or, if you have our long distance option, your horsebox can be recovered to any destination in the uk.
if roadside repair of your horsebox or horse trailer is not possible, all our membership packages entitle you to fresh horse transport to take your horses home, or to any other destination in the UK. Your horses will be transferred to another vehicle to continue their journey.
In the unfortunate event that you break down while driving your horsebox or towing a horse trailer, what exactly happens when you call the Equine Rescue Services emergency number>
Equine Rescue Services emergency control centre
Our emergency number is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Calls come direct to our very own Control Centre, based at our headquarters in Dorset. Your call will be answered by one of our dedicated Incident Controllers, who have a wealth of experience in equestrian matters and how to help you through your breakdown. Their priority is to ensure the safety of you and your horses.
First of all, the operator will ask for your membership number - so make sure you have your membership number with you whenever you travel. This will allow him to bring up your details on screen. Next he will ask about your location and the problem with your vehicle, and check that you and your horses are ok.
Brian - one of our friendly control centre operators
Our operator will then make all the necessary phone calls to get your situation sorted out as quickly as possible. One of our nationwide network of mechanical agents will be dispatched to attempt to repair your vehicle. Many faults, such as tyres, flat batteries and blocked fuel filters, can usually be repaired by the roadside, and over 70% of incidents are resolved in this way.
If your vehicle cannot be repaired by the roadside, it will be recovered to your home, or to the nearest suitable garage, whichever is closer. (If you have Traveller Long Distance or Traveller Plus membership, your vehicle can be recovered to any destination in the UK.)
If your vehicle needs to be recovered, replacement horse transport will be provided for your horses. This is not a straight bar tow of your existing vehicle with your horses onboard - horses will be transferred to another horsebox, sent by one of our horse transporters, and driven by someone who knows and cares about horses. Your horses can be taken to your home, to your original destination or wherever you wish.
Throughout the incident, our operator will keep you informed of what is happening and when you can expect our agents to arrive. Until your incident is resolved, he will keep in touch with you to check that you are ok.
If your horse is in need of veterinary assistance, our operator can contact a vet on your behalf and ask them to come out to you. The costs of any services you require which are not included in your membership will be billed to you afterwards, so you don't need to worry about making payment at the time.
Top tips for travelling with horses
Travelling with horses can be a stressful event not only for you but also your horse.
Equine Rescue Services estimates that an incredible 70% of the breakdowns it attends could have been avoided with a little pre-journey preparation and basic safety procedures.
Equine Rescue Services has compiled 10 essential travel tips for our members:
- Plan your journey
- Loading your horse can take time and patience, especially if it is not a seasoned traveller. Don’t leave it until the last minute!
- Schedule in regular stops. Use these stops to check on your horse’s wellbeing and offer it water.
- Essential Checks
- Check your oil, water and fuel levels before setting off.
- Ensure your transporter is in good repair – i.e. a non slip floor, good ventilation and high hygiene levels are crucial.
- Consider your Horse
- Make your horse as comfortable as possible. Put down bedding or rubber matting and a full hay net.
- Put your horse in the rear facing position as research suggests this helps to keep stress levels to a minimum.
- Supplies
- Take extra water and hay in case you are delayed or breakdown.
- In case of long delays, carry extra clothing for you and additional blankets for your horse.
- Watch your Driving
- Take care when accelerating, changing gears and braking – do it as smoothly as possible to minimise discomfort to your horse. Remember, your horse can’t see where you’re going so is sensitive to sudden, jerky movements.
- Be prepared for any eventuality
- Carry a basic safety kit. This should include items such as a human and equine first aid kit, torch, high-vis jackets, a warning triangle and a phone charger. Make sure you have the number of your breakdown assistance provider to hand.
- Check your horse’s health before and after
- Check your horse is well enough to travel (a sick horse should not travel, unless it is to visit the vet or equine hospital). If in doubt check with your vet.
- On arrival at your destination, your horse should show an interest in food and water within 24 hours. Check their temperature and watch for signs of injury.
- Know the Law
- If you passed your driving test after January 1997, you now need to pass a separate test to a tow a trailer weighing over 750kg.
- An overloaded horsebox is illegal. Drive your empty horsebox to a public weighbridge. The difference between the GVW and the unladen weight is the amount you can legally carry.
- Maintain your Trailer
- Service your lorry or trailer annually.
- If it has a wooden floor, check for signs of rotting.
- Carry out basic checks such as brakes, lights and tyres every month.
- If you do breakdown…
- Call your breakdown service provider.
- Do not get the horses out of the vehicle.
- If you are in a lorry, stay with your horse if possible. If you are in a trailer, then open the groom’s door, providing it’s away from the traffic and safe to do so.
- Put your hazard lights on and put out a warning triangle
Items to be carried in case of emergency
- A mobile phone
- A warning triangle or flashing light
- Jump leads
- Torch
- Warm jacket
- Reflective riding Jacket
- Your ERS membership details, plus the details of your towing vehicle's breakdown cover if applicable
- Your vet’s number, should you need advice.
