Many of you know us here at The Friesian Experience Sanctuary for the love, care, and commitment we give every horse that comes through our gates and we’re so grateful for the community that has grown around them.

This year there are big long-term plans we need to think about, especially with the ongoing rebuilding and improvement work around the barns and wider farm setup. We want to make sure the horses have the best and safest arrangement going forward, and those plans are still developing.

However, while we work out where those bigger plans are heading, one thing has become an immediate priority that we simply can’t delay any longer:

We urgently need to replace our horsebox.

Our income has been hit

Because of the building work currently being done at the farm, we’ve had to close stable stays, and with so much disruption around the yard, our usual visitor income has been heavily affected.

This means that right now, we are relying solely on donations from our supporters to keep everything going.

As I always say we can only do what we do because of your generosity and kindness. It’s also one of the reasons our monthly Patrons are absolutely vital, because that steady support helps us continue caring for the horses even when the farm income takes a hit.

Our current horsebox is no longer safe or reliable

Our current 7.5 ton horsebox has served us well for the last decade and before that, she was actually a Warburtons bread van that we converted. She’s done a lot of miles, and we’ve kept her going with repairs for as long as we possibly could.

Many of you may remember the year the pistons blew and the exhaust failed when Bailey and I were on our way to collect Bear and Nero from Rainbow Equine in Yorkshire… and then we suffered a blowout on the motorway with three horses onboard.

That year alone we spent over £5,000 on repairs. Our mechanic Jeff said it would probably keep going for another 12 months… and he was spot on.

Jeff, who has looked after the horsebox for many years and has always gone out of his way to help us when things have gone wrong, has now inspected it again.

He has confirmed multiple issues including:

the gear lever assembly

the exhaust

the passenger-side step

the driver’s door

along with a few other minor problems

Jeff believes he could get it through an MOT for around £2,500, and that after that we could potentially sell it on for around £5,000–£6,000 if we upgraded the interior slightly.

But the reality is that this would take a lot of time away from the horses organising repairs, waiting for work to be completed, then advertising, arranging viewings and dealing with potential buyers all while still having an unreliable vehicle in the meantime.

So we’ve made the decision that the best option is to cut our losses and replace the horsebox sooner rather than later.

Our plan

Jeff has offered to buy the horsebox from us for around £3,000, do the work himself and sell it on. This feels like the most sensible and safest option for us.

Jeff has looked after this horsebox for years, and he said he would feel uncomfortable making a big profit on it, because he knows how much trouble it’s caused us over the years and wouldn’t want us to feel he was profiting from our situation.

That’s why we suggested that if he does manage to make anything over and above what’s fair once he’s put the work into it, he could consider making a donation back to the sanctuary.

We know and trust Jeff completely and he will ensure:

our sanctuary branding is removed before it goes anywhere

the work is completed properly

and if there is any extra benefit at the end of it, it can still come back to help the horses

This will allow us to focus our time where it belongs, on the horses.

Why we need a replacement horsebox

The main reason we need a horsebox is simple:

To get the horses to the vets when they need it, and to travel safely for training and trips out for them.

We do have a two-horse trailer as a backup and we will continue using it for now, but it is not ideal for longer journeys especially in poor weather and high winds on roads like the M6.

What we’re aiming for

After lots of thinking, and many of your suggestions, we’ve been looking at the option of a 3.5 ton horsebox, which would be:

Safer and more reliable

Easier to drive

Something that Mollie can drive — and eventually Frey too if she chooses

We’ve been speaking with Adam at Bretherton’s Horseboxes, our local supplier of Stephex horseboxes. Stephex vehicles are known for being practical, well-built and designed with safety and comfort in mind for both horses and driver - exactly what we need.

We don’t need anything fancy, no living and no big storage, just a solid, safe box with 3 seats, giving the horses the space they need and keeping the payload sensible.

Why not buy something cheaper?

We know we could buy a cheaper second-hand lorry but when it comes to transporting horses, safety and reliability are everything.

After everything we’ve been through, we truly believe the safest option is to invest in something built to last.

We’ve already been blessed

We are incredibly grateful that one of our sponsors, who wishes to remain anonymous, has pledged £20,000 towards a replacement vehicle, which puts us about a third of the way towards a suitable replacement.

The remaining balance will come from this campaign, and if needed, a loan supported through monthly repayments, including help from our Patrons.

How you can help

Every donation and share helps.

And we’re also exploring ways to include names on the horsebox itself so you can quite literally travel with the horses wherever they go.

Thank you for being part of our sanctuary family and for helping us keep the horses safe.

Tracey & Team

xxx

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