Horse Lorries for Sale in the UK

Horseboxes vary widely in weight depending on their size and build. A small 3.5-tonne horsebox (the kind you can drive on a standard car licence) typically weighs around 2,300–2,700kg unladen, leaving the rest as payload. Larger 7.5-tonne horse lorries are usually much heavier, often weighing 5,000–6,000kg empty, with bigger payload capacity and more living space.

A horsebox’s payload is the maximum weight it can legally carry, including horses, tack, people, and equipment. Payload varies by size - a typical 3.5-tonne horsebox often has a payload of 800kg–1,200kg, while larger 7.5-tonne lorries can offer 1,500kg–3,000kg or more, depending on the build and features. Build quality and unladen weight vary between manufacturers - for example, an Equi-Trek may differ in payload from an Oakley or Whittaker of similar gross weight, so always check the individual vehicle's weight plate.

For a deep dive into horsebox payloads, see our Understanding Horsebox Weights and Payloads blog post.

In the UK, you can drive a 3.5-tonne horsebox on a standard car licence (Category B). For anything over 3.5 tonnes - such as a 7.5t horsebox - you’ll need a Category C1 licence, and for even larger lorries you’ll need Category C (HGV). Your licence will show which categories you already hold, and if you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you may automatically have C1 entitlement.

For a deep dive into driving licence requirements, see our Horsebox Driving Licence Requirements in the UK blog post.