Riding your horse across fields that are covered in snow might be a wonderful experience, but transporting your horse on icy roads can be an absolute nightmare.

It’s unfortunate, but many horse owners tend to let their horsebox insurance slide during the winter months; a decision which can cost them more than they thought.

Why do I need insurance during the winter?

Without doubt, you tend to use your horsebox the most during the warmer weather; it’s when the majority of events and horse shows take place, so it’s not unusual to see swarms of horseboxes on stretches of motorway or A-roads during the summer months.

However, there are also times during the winter when you’ll need to move your horse and, during those months, those motorways, A-roads and country lanes can be a lot more treacherous. Venture out without horsebox insurance and, apart from not being legally roadworthy if you have a motorised horsebox, you could find yourself dipping into your own pocket for the cost of replacement transport, emergency stabling and even the cost of replacing your tack – some of which can cost as much as a horsebox itself.

Winter wear and tear

But it’s not just the wet leaves, ice and snow that increase the potential for accidents; there’s also winter wear and tear to take into account. While homeowners might be worrying about frozen water pipes, you need to be focusing on your horsebox battery levels, brake cables and the condition of your tyres. In addition, there’s the toll that wet or cold weather can take on any saddles, tack or other equipment that you might store in the horsebox while it’s not being used.

Out in the cold?

A small monthly premium can give you a financial buffer against the potential problems incurred by snow, sleet, wind and rain. That’s not to say that you can then just dump your horsebox and hope for the best. You’ll still need to carry out winter checks and maintain a level of safety, but the right horsebox insurance can give you an extra layer of protection when things turn chilly – and you can even tailor your policy to suit your specific circumstances.

As a horsebox owner, you not only have a responsibility to yourself and your horse, but also to other drivers. Ideally, your horsebox insurance should be active throughout the year, to prevent you from being left out in the cold.