The Horsebox Buying Guide
Looking to buy a Horsebox? Ask these questions first!!
We know buying a new form of transport for your horse can be a daunting experience.
So we've put together this handy guide outlining the most important things to look for (and questions to ask!) when stepping into the market for the first time.
FIRST THING'S FIRST
Why a horsebox over a car + float combination? Well to start with, whilst horseboxes are not considered a 'budget option', they are usually much more economical to purchase over both a towing vehicle and a float of equal calibre (fully enclosed, extended, storage etc.). Secondly, if you're going to be staying overnight at shows, having a completely secure vehicle for your gear and yourself is indispensable. EVERYTHING in a Bloomfield's horsebox can be easily managed by 1 person including the ramp, the divider, the doors etc....not to mention reverse parking into narrow spaces is a dream (say goodbye to stressful float reversing!).
WHAT ABOUT YOUR LICENCE?
Another important consideration when purchasing a horsebox. If you hold a C-Class licence, you are legally allowed to drive vehicles with a GVM of up to 4.5 tonne. Due to this, it is important to not only factor in the weight of the vehicle, but the weight of your horses (between 400 & 750kg per horse) + gear when researching vehicles.
Bloomfields has a range of horseboxes with an empty (TARE) weight of 2.5 tonnes, and a number of vehicle options (3.5, 4, 4.25 and 4.5 tonne) allowing plenty of room for 2 big horses (& everything that goes with them!), without needing to upgrade from a standard car licence, whilst also giving you plenty of payload (think 1800kg worth!). For those who already have an MR or higher licence, don't worry, Bloomfields is also able to manufacture and import bigger vehicles with luxury living and lots of extras!
CAN IT HANDLE AUSTRALIAN ROADS?
One thing we all know about living in Australia is that the roads can get ROUGH. Many European vehicles are simply not designed for these conditions - their usual customer-base generally never has to face them. Using these vehicles in Australia can result in uncomfortable horses, and major structural issues with your vehicle over time.
This is where Bloomfields differs. Bloomfields is an internationally recognised brand, that manufactures horseboxes to the highest UK standard (go on, Google it!). Mat (the Australian distributer) has spent years researching both Australian and European Horseboxes, and through this, has been able to work with Bloomfields to design and import the perfect vehicle for our tough conditions.
All Bloomfields Horseboxes come with either:
A one-piece German-made composite floor comprising of a double layer honeycomb GRP outer skins and anti slip coating (Vehicles up to 4.5T)
Or a fully reinforced, sealed aluminium floor (vehicles over 4.5t).
Both ensure that your horsebox remains corrosion-free.
CAN IT HANDLE AUSTRALIAN WEATHER?
Not only are the roads over here rough, we all know just how HOT it can get. Once again, a lot of European vehicles are not designed for the extreme Australian conditions that we face every day. If your horsebox is not designed to combat Australian heat, you can end up with extremely uncomfortable horses, which can cause travel sickness, heat stroke, heat colic and in extreme cases, death.
This was at the forefront of Mat's mind when he set out to find the perfect Horsebox to bring back Down Under. ALL Bloomfields boxes imported into Australia come with an extra roof vent and window as standard, and customers have the option of adding a standard fan, or an automatic temperature control fan which keeps running even when the ignition is turned off. It's the small things that make up the Bloomfields difference.
WHAT ABOUT SAFETY?
No one wants to think about the worst-case scenario, but it’s important for you to consider all of the safety features designed for both you and your horses when buying a horsebox. Is the bulkhead/wall between you and your horse strong enough to keep you and your passengers safe if you’re in an accident? How easy are the partitions/dividers to move/lock? If you have a young or difficult horse on board, will you be able to load and unload it safely? And finally, will your horse be able to hurt him/herself once the doors are closed?
ALL Bloomfields horseboxes undergo a rigorous 160 point quality inspection throughout the build and spray process to ensure that no quality is lost. Bloomfields Horseboxes also boast a MARKET FIRST passenger safety cell (the wall between the horses and the cab).
Our safety cell/bulkhead uses over 15 meters of 50mm aluminium box section, with 4 meters of weld. This is believed to be the safest bulkhead in Europe! It is skilfully integrated into the structure of the body and cabin, giving optimum strength that reduces the risk of injury to you and your horses in the unfortunate event of an accident.
If you are carrying young or difficult horses regularly, the Bloomfields Professional may be the horsebox for you. In this box, the horses are separated by means of a full height, grilled partition, head divider, two full height grilled access doors, eliminating the need for a breastbar. The Professional horsebox also comes fully padded (including roof padding). A very popular feature for the Professional is the exquisite sliding partition. Absolutely indispensable for transporters and studs who carry mares and foals. Effortlessly glide the partition to the far wall with one hand and back to the centre point when required, meaning there is no need for more than one person to alter the stalls.
Finally, the interior of the horsebox boasts NO sharp edges. Everything from the dividers to the doors has been meticulously designed and TIG welded for superior strength, and smooth edges. Perfect for even your most accident-prone horse!!
HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR HORSES TO TRAVEL?
Business class or economy? In Australia, we regularly travel long distances with our horses. In order to have our best friends competition-ready at the other end, we want them to travel as happily and comfortably as possible. A recent study of optimal horse transport found that horses that travelled backwards and in larger bays had better balance throughout the journey. This lowered the instance of stress-related behaviours and gastric squamous ulcer development.
As standard, Bloomfields Horseboxes come with bays that are 70cm longer and 30cm wider than the Australian standard length bay (1.9m compared to 1.2m and 1m compared to 0.7m respectively). All of our horseboxes are designed for your horses to travel backwards. These features are designed with your horse’s health and safety in mind, meaning they’ll be competition-ready when you pull them out at your next show! Think about how you feel after a long flight in a cramped economy seat compared to a spacious business class seat.
WHAT CHASSIS & COLOUR DO YOU WANT?
Now this is the fun part! One of the most important, yet sometimes overlooked, part of your new horsebox is the vehicle and chassis that holds it all together, and of course, how pretty you want the outside to look!
Bloomfields stock both Fiat and Renault chassis, and are one of the only approved second tier manufacturers for both of these brands. These vehicles are the best in the market!
For Australian imports, we recommend the Fiat Ducato, or Alco if over 4.5T, as this vehicle gives you more payload than it's Renault counterpart (that means you can fit more matchy-matchy saddlepads and bandages).
All Bloomfields horseboxes are painted as part of the manufacturing process. This means that the colours will last, even in extreme weather. The design is only limited by your imagination!! Say goodbye to peeling decal stickers forever!!
And don't forget that all Bloomfields Horseboxes come with a huge number of customisable options, including luxe living areas! Get in touch with us today to discuss your dream horsebox!