Melanie Benfer has the magic touch for thoroughbred horses. In the stables and on the road

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The horse trucker.

For Melanie Benfer, practically everything revolves around horses – and around the transport of these four-legged friends. With a horse truck based on the Actros.

Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.
Well versed in the stable, relaxed behind the wheel: Melanie Benfer is an expert both with horses and as a truck driver.

With a golden brown, shiny coat and a neatly trimmed mane, the horse is a majestic sight. And it is easily led into the box of the horse truck via the platform. For Melanie Benfer, the woman with the reins in her hand, the horses are not just proverbially in the best of hands. She has been working for the Böckmann stud farm for over 20 years.

The family business from the Oldenburg Münsterland produces top-class competition horses time and time again. And Melanie is one of the team who lovingly takes care of the animals. “I couldn’t imagine any job without horses,” she says. This is hardly a surprise, as she grew up on a farm and was around the animals from a very young age.



Growing up with horses.

As well as looking after the animals, another job has also become second nature to Melanie: transporting them in horse trucks. “I was involved in competitions from the beginning, so my boss asked me if I wanted to drive myself.” And Melanie did want to, so at the age of 18, she got her truck driving licence immediately after getting her car licence.

The trucks used by Melanie and her colleagues, which, in addition to the horseboxes also have a comfortable living space, are manufactured in-house – by Böckmann Fahrzeugwerke, the sister company of the stud farm. Depending on the size, the Actros or Atego are used as the basis. “They drive really well.”



More comfortable in trucks than in cars.

Melanie says that she immediately felt more comfortable in the trucks than in a car. She still remembers her first trip, a night drive to Vienna, very clearly. “I had an experienced colleague with me, and there wasn’t much traffic. So, I was able to settle in at my ease.” It worked out so well that she had no difficulty manoeuvring around narrow streets at the destination.

Melanie has since then driven all over Europe. “My longest trip so far was to Jerez in the south of Spain. That was over 2.500 kilometres.” The Böckmann squad also stops in Oliva, likewise in Spain, once a year. Melanie particularly enjoys driving to CHIO Aachen – one of the world’s leading equestrian events. “But there’s a great atmosphere at all the competitions, in fact. Everyone knows one another, you meet up with friends, fire up the barbecue in front of the truck ...”


More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.
More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.
More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.
More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.
More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.
More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.
More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.
More than a job: Melanie grew up with horses, so her enthusiasm for the animals goes well beyond her job.

Passing on her passion to her son.

Melanie became a mother around three years ago and therefore cannot visit quite as many competitions as before. A comfort for her though is riding her own Oldenburg mare and that her son shares her love for the animals. “He’s often on our Shetland pony and I’ve also brought him to the farm already.” And he also loves Mum’s horse truck!


Photos and video: Jan Potente

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