Lorry maintenance: How to ensure your horsebox is fit for the road post-lockdown *H&H Plus*

Alex Robinson speaks to industry experts who advise on how to ensure your horsebox is fit for the road post-lockdown

Your lorry has probably spent much of this year standing in the driveway with little to no use. But as competitions gather momentum, it’s vital to ensure your vehicle is in full working order so you don’t encounter any problems on your travels.

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.”

Alex Robinson

Freelance equestrian journalist

Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.