Frequently Asked Questions

Shared transport involves multiple horses from different owners traveling along the same planned route. This setup is our core specialty at Hodgson’s Ltd. It allows us to provide affordable horse transport across the UK and Ireland.

You receive all the benefits of a premium, legal service at a fraction of the cost. Your horse still enjoys our high-specification care and Operator’s Licensed standards. We never compromise on safety, hydration, or comfort. We meticulously map out every route to keep travel times as short as possible. It is the smartest way to move your horse securely and cost-effectively.

Absolutely. We take immense pride in our reputation for handling elite equine athletes and high-value bloodstock. Our shared-hire routes are specifically optimised for maximum safety and minimal transit times. We understand the exacting requirements of professional trainers and breeders.

Our premium service includes several advanced features as standard:

• Full Stallion Partitions: Every horse enjoys its own secure, private, and impact-resistant space.

• Active Temperature Control: We maintain perfect climate levels to keep athletes in peak condition.

• Medical-Grade Biosecurity: We deep-clean vehicles using DEFRA-approved virucides to completely prevent cross-contamination.

• Expert Handlers: Our team consists of lifelong equestrians trained in elite bloodstock logistics.

• Premium Overnight Layovers: Horses rest at our DEFRA-approved, CCTV-secured stabling facility with 24-hour manned supervision.

Safety is our absolute priority. Our team provides regular photo updates directly to your phone. This allows you to monitor your horse’s progress in real time.

Additionally, we operate a premier stable facility right off the motorway. Our M6 hub provides a secure, 24-hour manned rest stop. This strategic location ensures no horse is ever over-traveled. Our experienced handlers manage every loading, feeding, and hydration check with elite care. Your horse enjoys a highly secure, monitored, and stress-free journey from start to finish.

Currently, we specialise exclusively in elite shared-hire equine transport. This focus allows us to offer highly competitive horse transport rates. However, we never sacrifice our premium quality of care. Every horse on board benefits from our strict Operator’s Licensed standards.

Our shared routes feature full-height stallion partitions for complete privacy. We also utilise advanced climate control and live CCTV monitoring. We meticulously group compatible horses together and plan efficient routes. This ensures a quiet, low-stress, and cost-effective travel experience. Your horse receives a first-class journey at an affordable shared rate.

We operate regular weekly transport routes across the UK and Ireland. Our fleet frequently services major equine hubs across the country.

In mainland Britain, we run regular schedules through these key areas:

• Scotland & The North: Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Newcastle.

• The Midlands & South: Birmingham, Newmarket, Southampton, and Exeter.

Our strategic base in Carlisle serves as our primary logistics hub. From here, we coordinate all seamless shipping to Belfast and Dublin. This allows us to provide reliable, cross-border transit between the UK and Ireland. We handle all door-to-door logistics efficiently along these major corridors. View our Popular Routes page for more detail.

Every vehicle in our fleet features live GPS tracking. This technology allows our office to monitor your horse’s exact location in real time.

We also provide regular photo updates directly to your phone throughout the journey. Our experienced handlers check in with you at every major rest stop. This keeps you fully informed about your horse’s hydration, behaviour, and progress. You are never more than a quick message away from your horse. We ensure complete transparency and peace of mind from departure to arrival.

Yes. Our 14-stable facility in Carlisle operates as an independent M6 transit hub. We provide a secure “home away from home” for any horse in transit, offering a vital welfare break on long-distance journeys.

To book stabling with us contact Phillippa on 07304 063371.

Our stabling facility is fully secured to hold high value bloodstock. The yard features strict 24-hour manned security. We also operate full CCTV coverage across the entire facility. This ensures a completely safe, quiet, and monitored environment for all horses.

Our yard is a trusted staging post for professional transporters and elite breeders. They rely on our high-security setup for high-value bloodstock and sensitive athletes. We maintain strict gate control to prevent any unauthorised access. You can rest assured that your horse is fully protected during their overnight stay.

Yes, absolutely. Our high-specification fleet features full-height stallion partitions as standard equipment. These heavy-duty, impact-resistant barriers ensure every horse enjoys its own private space. They completely eliminate any physical contact or visual stress between horses during travel.

Additionally, our vehicles utilise active temperature control systems. This maintains a cool, calm environment to keep sensitive stallions relaxed. Our experienced handlers understand specialised stallion behaviour and loading requirements. We prioritise safety to ensure a completely stress-free journey for your horse.

We maintain medical-grade cleanliness across our entire operation. Every stable and vehicle undergoes deep-cleaning between each guest. We use only powerful, DEFRA-approved virucidal disinfectants. This strict protocol effectively eliminates dangerous equine viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Our rigorous routine ensures elite biosecurity for every equine athlete. We completely prevent any risk of cross-contamination between visiting yards. Your horse will always step into a pristine, sterile, and safe environment.

Yes, we provide secure stabling and holding facilities for long-distance journeys. We operate our own private, fully DEFRA-approved holding yard. This facility adheres to the highest standards of equine welfare and biosecurity.

For extended national routes, we also utilise a trusted network of approved yards. Every yard we use meets strict legal transport regulations. These rest stops allow horses to relax, stretch, and rehydrate safely overnight. Our stables feature pristine, deep-bedded boxes and strict isolation protocols. We ensure a restful, stress-free stopover before your horse continues their journey.

Safety is our absolute priority. Our team provides regular photo updates directly to your phone. This allows you to monitor your horse’s progress in real time.

Additionally, we operate a premier stable facility right off the motorway. Our M6 hub provides a secure, 24-hour manned rest stop. This strategic location ensures no horse is ever over-traveled. Our experienced handlers manage every loading, feeding, and hydration check with elite care. Your horse enjoys a highly secure, monitored, and stress-free journey from start to finish.

Naturally, long-distance travel is a physical and mental effort for a horse. However, at Hodgson’s Ltd, our entire operation is designed to minimise this stress and ensure your horse arrives rested and in peak condition. We mitigate transport stress through three key pillars:

• Regulated Welfare Breaks: Our 16-stable M6 transit hub in Carlisle is a game changer for long-haul travel. By providing a secure, quiet, and 24-hour manned rest stop, we ensure horses are off-loaded, hydrated, and settled in a stable environment rather than being kept on a vehicle for excessive periods.
• Specialist Vehicle Specs: Stress is often caused by heat and restricted movement. Our fleet features active temperature control to prevent overheating and stallion partitions as standard, providing every horse with its own wide, secure space to balance comfortably without physical contact from neighbours.
• Professional Handling: Our team consists of highly experienced equine specialists who recognise the early signs of travel fatigue or stress. We prioritise a quiet, low-pressure loading environment and a smooth driving style to keep the heart rate of the journey low.

We completely understand your anxiety. Your horse is a cherished family member or a high-value athlete. We treat them with the utmost care. To ease your mind, we provide live GPS tracking on all journeys.

Our team also sends regular photo updates throughout the trip. You will see firsthand that your horse is safe. You can check their calm, temperature-controlled environment at any time. Our handlers keep you updated during rest stops at our secure M6 hub. We maintain open communication to ensure total peace of mind. You are never more than a quick message away.