Complete this online form with details of your enquiry and one of our advisors will call you back.
Gable Business Finance are equine finance specialists with deep experience in helping customers fund bespoke horseboxes and horse trailers through structured finance agreements. When purchasing a new or custom-built horsebox, payment terms can often differ from a standard vehicle purchase. Many horsebox manufacturers in the UK work on a staged payment basis — this means payments are made in several stages throughout the build process rather than all at once on delivery.
For horsebox buyers using finance — whether Hire Purchase, Lease Purchase, or a Loan Agreement — understanding how these Stage Payments work is essential. Gable Business Finance works with a panel of specialist lenders who accommodate stage payment structures, ensuring suppliers are paid as the build progresses, while keeping your cashflow protected and your project moving smoothly.
Stage payments refer to a structured way of releasing funds from a lender or finance company to the horsebox manufacturer during the build process. Rather than paying the full price of the horsebox upfront, the finance provider pays the manufacturer in agreed stages, typically aligned with key production milestones.
These payments are made under the written instruction of the lender, ensuring transparency, compliance, and accountability throughout the build. Stage payments are particularly relevant for bespoke or custom-built horseboxes, where materials, equipment, and craftsmanship costs accumulate gradually as the project develops.
When the entire process occurs within a 90-day period, banks and lenders refer to this arrangement specifically as Stage Payments. Gable Business Finance coordinates this process with both the customer and the supplier, ensuring payments are released efficiently and that both parties remain satisfied.
Unlike standard vehicles that are ready-made and purchased from stock, most horseboxes — especially those used by riding schools, professional riders, and competition yards — are built to order. Each design can vary based on horse capacity, living accommodation, internal layout, finish, and chosen chassis. As such, manufacturers must purchase materials and components as the build progresses.
To manage their cashflow, manufacturers often request stage payments from customers or finance companies. These payments cover material purchases, chassis acquisition, conversion work, and quality assurance checks. For many builders, receiving payment in stages allows them to commit to timely completion without financial strain.
Typical payment terms involve a deposit to secure the build slot, one or more interim payments during construction, and a final balance before delivery. This ensures both sides are protected: the builder maintains funding for production, and the buyer retains assurance that the horsebox is progressing as planned.
Gable Business Finance specialises in facilitating finance agreements that align with horsebox manufacturers’ payment schedules. Our experience in the equine sector means we understand the complexities of bespoke builds and the importance of maintaining strong relationships between customers and suppliers.
When you arrange finance through Gable, we liaise directly with your chosen horsebox manufacturer and the lender to coordinate the stage payment structure. Funds are released according to agreed milestones, following written confirmation and appropriate documentation. This approach provides assurance for all parties involved:
Our network of specialist horsebox lenders are familiar with the needs of the UK equestrian industry. They are equipped to handle multi-stage payment structures — a process not all mainstream finance providers offer.
While exact payment terms can vary between manufacturers and finance arrangements, most bespoke or coach-built horseboxes follow a broadly similar staged payment pattern:
The process typically begins with a non-refundable deposit — often a fixed sum (for example, £1,000 + VAT) or a percentage of the total price, such as 25–33%. This deposit secures your build slot and allows the manufacturer to begin sourcing materials or purchasing the base chassis.
For larger or more complex builds, one or more interim payments may be required. These usually correspond with defined build milestones, such as when:
Each interim payment allows the manufacturer to maintain workflow and ensures you can monitor progress throughout the build.
The remaining balance is paid upon completion and prior to collection or delivery. The final payment ensures the horsebox has passed all required quality and safety checks. Ownership (title) of the horsebox does not pass to the customer until the balance is fully settled and cleared by the bank or finance company.
Instead of tying up significant capital in upfront payments, stage payment finance allows your lender to pay the manufacturer while you maintain liquidity. This helps your business continue operating efficiently and enables you to invest in other essential areas like training, staff, or facilities.
Manufacturers prefer dealing with established finance providers. When Gable Business Finance is involved, suppliers can be confident they’ll receive timely stage payments, which keeps production on schedule and avoids delays.
Stage payments managed by a lender reduce the risk of miscommunication or financial disputes. Funds are only released when pre-agreed milestones are met, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the build process.
Not every bank or finance company understands the intricacies of the equine industry. Gable works exclusively with specialist horsebox lenders who understand both the financial and logistical requirements of building bespoke horseboxes.
Whether you prefer a Hire Purchase agreement, Lease Purchase, or Business Loan, Gable Business Finance can tailor the structure to fit your budget, timescales, and tax position. We’ll work with you to determine the most suitable route for your business or individual needs.
Under a Hire Purchase agreement, you pay an initial deposit followed by fixed monthly instalments. Ownership transfers to you once the final payment has been made. During the build, Gable coordinates stage payments to the manufacturer, meaning you don’t pay the entire amount upfront. This is ideal for riding schools or private owners who want to spread costs while ensuring their horsebox is funded throughout production.
Similar to HP but structured with a larger final balloon payment, Lease Purchase agreements offer lower monthly payments. These are popular for higher-value, coach-built horseboxes. Gable ensures lenders can accommodate the stage payment process while maintaining flexibility in repayment terms.
In some cases, customers may prefer a straight business loan. This provides funds directly to the buyer, who then releases payments to the manufacturer in stages. Gable can facilitate loans with stage payment capabilities and structured repayment schedules aligned to your income and trading cycle.
Below is an example of how a stage payment structure might look for a bespoke 7.5-tonne horsebox valued at £95,000 (including VAT):
This structure can vary depending on the manufacturer and build complexity. Gable Business Finance ensures all stage payments are managed seamlessly between the lender, customer, and supplier.
A local riding instructor needed a new 3.5-tonne horsebox to transport two ponies. The manufacturer required three stage payments within 60 days. Gable Business Finance arranged a hire purchase agreement with a specialist lender who handled the stage payments directly. The instructor benefited from predictable monthly repayments while preserving her savings. The supplier received each stage payment on time, ensuring smooth completion and timely delivery.
A professional event rider commissioned a luxury 7.5-tonne horsebox with living quarters. The manufacturer requested payments at chassis purchase, body completion, and pre-delivery inspection. Gable coordinated a lease purchase agreement that aligned stage payments with the manufacturer’s schedule. The result was a high-value vehicle delivered on time, financed efficiently without cashflow disruption.
A riding school needed two high-capacity trailers to transport ponies for outreach sessions. Gable Business Finance sourced a quick-approval loan with stage payment options, allowing the manufacturer to receive payment upon order confirmation and completion. This kept the project within budget and ensured the school could expand its programme without financial strain.
When a riding school in the Midlands decided to invest in a new fleet of small horseboxes for lessons and competitions, Gable structured multiple stage payment agreements under one finance plan. The supplier received deposits and progress payments on time, while the school maintained cash reserves for staffing and operations. This approach allowed the school to expand rapidly while remaining financially stable.
Stage payments provide a balance of financial security for both the horsebox buyer and the supplier:
Gable Business Finance and its panel of lenders maintain communication between all parties. If a manufacturer delays production or quality concerns arise, stage payments can be paused or adjusted until the issue is resolved. This safeguards the customer’s investment while maintaining a fair and structured build process.
Stage payments refer to the phased release of funds from a lender to the horsebox manufacturer during the build process. They are commonly used for bespoke or custom builds to align payments with progress milestones.
Because most horseboxes are built to order, manufacturers need to purchase materials, components, and chassis during construction. Stage payments provide cashflow for these expenses while giving customers transparency on build progress.
When a customer finances a horsebox, the lender releases funds directly to the supplier in stages as agreed. The customer repays the lender over time through fixed instalments. Gable coordinates this entire process.
If there’s a delay or issue during construction, Gable and the lender can pause or adjust the next stage payment until satisfactory progress or resolution is confirmed. This protects your financial interests.
No. Stage payments are part of the funding process between the lender and the supplier. Your repayment schedule remains fixed once the agreement is activated.
Yes. Stage payment finance applies to both motorised horseboxes and horse trailers, particularly for custom-built or high-value models requiring staged manufacturing payments.
Manufacturers typically provide invoices or stage completion certificates, which are reviewed by the lender before payment release. Gable oversees this documentation to ensure compliance.
Yes. Manufacturers generally require an initial non-refundable deposit (e.g., £1,000 + VAT or 25–33% of the total price) to secure the build slot and initiate work.
Most bespoke builds follow three main stages:
Ownership (title) transfers to the customer only once the final payment has been received in full and cleared. Until then, the vehicle remains the property of the manufacturer or finance company, depending on the agreement type.
Since the lender makes payments on your behalf, your business doesn’t need to release large sums upfront. You can keep working capital available for other operational needs.
While Stage Payments are primarily used for new builds, some lenders can accommodate staged release of funds for part-built or refurbished vehicles, subject to inspection and valuation.
Simply contact our equine finance team for a consultation. We’ll guide you through your finance options, obtain lender approval, and coordinate stage payments to your chosen horsebox manufacturer.
In summary: Stage Payment finance offers a practical, secure, and efficient way to purchase your new horsebox without disrupting cashflow. With Gable Business Finance managing the process, you gain expert support, tailored funding, and the confidence that every stage of your build is financially protected and professionally overseen.