WHEN it comes to transporting animals by road, safety has always got to be the number one priority and to this end, having your horsebox or trailer in a safe, roadworthy condition is not only essential - it’s the law.

With the winter months making roads treacherous at times, driving a horsebox or pulling horses behind a jeep or car in a trailer can be an anxious, hazardous experience.

Having tyres, braking system, hitch and lights all in good working order will go a long way towards getting horses safety from one point to another.

Regular maintenance of your horsebox with an annual service can potentially save you a fortune and can help avert a costly accident.

One established outlet that has built up a very good reputation for its sales, supply and servicing of horseboxes and trailers is Lakeland Farm Machinery Ltd, based in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan.

They carry out repairs of all kinds - both mechancial and bodywork - including ramps, floors, lights, wheels/tyres, hitches and braking systems.

Evin O’Reilly explained: “Lakeland Farm Machinery Ltd carry out servicing and repair work on horseboxes, horse trailers, livestock trailers and all sorts of farm machinery. We are over 20 years established and we also both sell horseboxes as well as taking trailer trade-ins. From start to finish, we offer sales and service including all mechanical works, body work and floor replacements.

“If you have an accident with an unroadworthy trailer, you are in trouble. Hitches can wear over time and demount from the vehicle under pressure. We always give customers a price for the work before we start the work and make sure they are happy with the cost from the outset. We also have a tilt and slide recovery lorry to both collect and deliver horseboxes and trailers so if they are not driveable, there’s no problem getting it to us.

“Generally the braking system on trailers is most important and must be working properly along with the lights of course. We also check all floors for safety and can replace timber floors with alloy for customers. Ramps can need attention too with rubber and fastners wearing and needing work.

“A normal service can be done in a day while a floor replacement job takes around two days,’’ advised Evin.

Common problems Lakeland Farm Machinery sees with trailers are braking systems that are half-jammed on with seized cables - leading to expensive wear and tear on the vehicle towing such trailers - and worn or unstable hitches.

“The handbrakes, cables and braking system must be checked once a year. Keeping a trailer right with an annual service might cost only as little as €40 or €50 a year. Trailers are also going to be tested for roadworthiness, that’s coming down the line and people also have to have the right licence to pull a trailer,’’ advised Evin.

Lakeland Farm Machinery stocks Nugent Trailers and supplies Ifor Williams trailers to order and has a full range of parts in stock including wheels and tyres.

Visibility strips can also be put on trailers with a heat gun which can go a long way towards making them more visible when loading and unloading in poorly lit rural areas.

All enquiries to Lakeland Farm Machinery Ltd on 042 97 49631 or 042 97 40146 and Evin O’Reilly at 086 27 46499.