PAYLOADS AND HORSE SAFETY

There are numerous things to consider when buying a horsebox, the prime among them is the horsebox payload. For someone not aware of the term yet, it is basically the amount of people, horses, tack, water and fuel, etc. the vehicle can legally carry without exceeding it’s maximum Gross Vehicle Weight. This can be found on the VIN plate that is usually located under the vehicle’s bonnet.

Determining the payload of a horsebox is quite easy. All you need to do is take the vehicle to a public weighbridge and measure it when empty. The difference between your vehicle’s maximum Gross Vehicle Weight and weight of your vehicle is the maximum payload you can legally carry.

For example:

Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight is 3.5-tonnes
Weight of unladen vehicle is 2.4-tonnes
Maximum Payload is 1.1-tonnes

Alternatively, load your horsebox with driver, passenger, fuel, horse(s), tack, water, etc. and weigh it on a public weighbridge. Ensure the weight does not exceed the maximum Gross Vehicle Weight.

Vehicles that are overweight are not only illegal to drive, they may invalidate your insurance and may also compromise safety.