Charles Oakley from Oakley Horseboxes recommends that all lorries have their mechanics and bodywork serviced, as many will have been left idle for the past six months.
“Horseboxes have numerous moving parts, and over time with no use they can seize up,” says Charles. “But this can be rectified with a body service. We check everything from ramp and partition operations to horse area floor safety. We check all appliance operations such as electrical, heating and hot water systems, batteries and generator. If your box is made of a higher quality material – such as stainless steel, which doesn’t corrode – things might not have deteriorated as much as they might do on a more economical build.”
Brian Burton from Essex Vehicle Inspection agrees that when a lorry has been left idle for a long period of time without maintenance, some of the parts can start to stick.
“The main things to check are the tyres, tyre sidewalls for cracking, and brakes for binding,” says Brian. “Check the handbrake, too, as this can get sticky, though moving the vehicle every couple of weeks should stop this. If you are unable to move the box then run a trickle charge on the battery to stop it going flat.
Denne historien er fra August 27, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra August 27, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions