It's a fact of life that horseboxes do sometimes break down.

As one horsebox owner puts it: "When I bought my first horsebox, I was told by a friend that I would break down at least once a year with some small problem, no matter how well my vehicle is looked after." She is a member of Equine Rescue Services, and has been extremely happy with the service she has received when she has broken down.

The main reasons why horseboxes break down are:

• Lack of maintenance / servicing. 
• Infrequent use, particularly in winter. It is a fact that horseboxes are not used on a regular daily or weekly basis. Therefore, vehicles are left immobile for long periods of time; this allows vital running components to seize up and corrode.
• Usually stored outside all year round.
• Failure to carry out pre-journey checks - tyres, wheel nuts, oil, coolant, fuel, brake and clutch hydraulic fluids, coolant hoses, serviceable spare tyre, battery, lights, wipers and washers, etc.
• Running spares not carried - fan belts, fuel filters, spare hoses, light bulbs, etc.
• Fuel filters blocked.
• Tyre blow-outs / punctures.
• Exhausts blowing or detached.