Mates Rates Horse Transport

10/01/2026

Thursday 15th Jan - Empty lorry headed south from Spalding to Sussex.

Dedicated load at a shared load cost.

PM or comment below to book :)

10/01/2026

✨ A little ask from us ✨

We don’t usually ask for things like this, but this one feels special.

If you believe horse transport should be welfare-led, unrushed, and rooted in kindness… and if Mates Rates Horse Transport has ever been that for you or your horse, nominations are now open for Horse Transporter of the Year at the Equestrian Business Awards.

If we’ve helped you through a stressful move, a first journey, a rescue, an emergency, or simply made transport feel calmer and kinder, we’d be incredibly grateful if you’d consider nominating us.

We believe horses do better when they feel safe - and people do too.
Thank you for trusting us with both ❤️

Nominate here!

https://www.equestrianbusinessawards.co.uk/nominate

10/01/2026

The Equestrian Business Awards are open for nominations!
Lots of categories to choose from… including horse transporter ;)

It’s that time again! The Equestrian Business Awards 2026 are officially open for nominations and the best part? It’s completely FREE to nominate or even self-nominate!

Whether it’s a professional, business, or charity who goes above and beyond for horses and their owners, now’s your chance to give them the recognition they deserve.

Why nominate?

Celebrate dedication, skill, and excellence in the equestrian industry

Show appreciation for those who make a real difference

Help raise standards across the sector

Entering couldn’t be easier, just follow the link in the comments to submit your nomination.

05/01/2026

Empty lorry from Netherlands to UK!
Friday 9th January.

Dedicated load at a shared load cost.
3.5t stallion stall Oakley.

Experienced, welfare-led drivers.
Transparent route - live tracking available!

Can divert in Europe.

Contact us directly :)

30/12/2025

What a phenomenal year.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it.
Here’s to another exciting year ahead ❤️

24/12/2025

Our horses are family - and we know vet runs can’t wait.

Even on Christmas Eve, and even when things feel full and overwhelming, Mia and I both dropped everything to make sure a couple of horses got safely to the vets.

This is why we do what we do: being available when it matters most.

Small enough to care deeply.
Big enough to cope calmly. 🤍🐴🎄

Our thoughts are with our lovely clients whose horses are at the vets. Horses don’t stop needing us just because it’s Christmas ❤️

18/12/2025

2025, you’ve been a wild ride.

More incredible people becoming part of our tribe.
Adventures with , and 🤍
A summer of big lorries, long days, and nine horses on board across the UK.
Our first proper leap into the unknown with a 44t artic all the way to Valencia.
International miles in our trusty little Oakley.
Late-night scheming and big ideas with .oli.james and 👀

So many miles.
So much trust.
So many horses that mattered.

Grateful doesn’t quite cover it - for the clients who choose us, the horses who teach us, and the people who make this feel like more than just transport.

Here’s to growth, teamwork, and doing it the Mates Rates way 🐴✨

16/12/2025

Hey guys!
Super quick message to say you are all wonderful clients… But I’ve hit total burn out. We both have!
I apologise if I haven’t been able to get back to you quickly.
We are fully booked now until Christmas and I plan on having some down time between Christmas and New Year so this year I won’t be doing any transporting (unless you’ve already booked us!) as I really need some R&R.

We are a small business which means we put our absolute all into everything we do. Our energy, our emotions… I get back to clients often late in the evenings which usually means I’m engaged in conversation across multiple platforms with numerous people.

But I have now reached a peak… which is the first one I’ve hit in 8 years!

So bear with me. I will continue to take bookings for the new year but I might not be able to get back to you quickly. And it’s not because I don’t want to, or that you’re not important, it’s because I am bone tired and exhausted.

I’ll do a lovely Christmas post soon! You are all wonderful people and we are so so grateful to every single one of you for making us into the business we are today.
So enjoy a pic of me and Justin in the super duper 44t artic we get to drive in sometimes ;)

Lots of love and Happy Christmas! Xx

15/12/2025

This is your reminder that serious horse professionals are just one mic check away from absolute chaos 🎤😂

Mic check Justin is an absolute menace 😈
Show-time Justin is… somehow a professional… 🕴️

Really proud of what we can create together, and grateful to be part of something so special at Christmas Show!

01/12/2025

Don’t you hate it when someone turns up in the same outfit as you?!
Luckily we make matchy-matchy look good ;)

signs

07/10/2025

When you find your people,
When your values align,
When your work speaks the same language -
You don’t whisper it;
You paint it on the side of the lorry 💛❤️

Proudly partnering with Heart of Horsemanship 🐴


Thank you .signs for making our vision a reality!

06/09/2025

Oh Stanley! You are the sweetest donkey!!

Today we had the privilege of collecting the most lovely boy, Stanley, from Leicester to bring him down to Sussex.

Donkeys might be a type of equidae, but their language is totally different! Our previous experience of donkeys is somewhat… ahem… mixed… so we were prepared (emotionally) for a potentially tricky loading chappy. However he astounded all of us and loaded after a couple of moments of contemplation.

He travelled like a dream and unloaded perfectly.

It was lovely to be able to take the time and see him settle in to his new surroundings too 🥰