Time for a winter service

Whether you store your trailer for winter or compete throughout the season, a thorough check and service is vital to trailer safety.

"As it is now coming into autumn and winter is just around the corner, make  sure you get your trailer professionally checked and serviced," advises Chris Winchester from Anglian Trailer Centre. "We see trailers here all the time with really major faults that are dangerous. Modern 4X4s are big enough that some major faults go undetected: for instance we've seen trailers with brakes that do not work at all - the trailer was only stopping because of the weight of the vehicle towing it."

Brakes, lights and floors are some of the most important areas to have checked. When looking at the floors make sure you lift any rubber matting and check thoroughly - all floors are subject to wear and tear over time, whether wooden or metal, so get a professional to check it. "Horses are worth so much money and are so precious to the owners that the consequences of using a poorly maintained trailer are almost unthinkable. Get it checked now before winter sets in, for peace of mind," says Chris.