3.5T boxes - likes and dislikes?

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maya2008

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We had a Marlborough Sport before. I would have another in a heartbeat but the price tag for now is not in my budget, and second hand seem to be like hen’s teeth.

So… coachbuilt. Never had one!
- stallion build?
- or half height wall?
Or…?

We need a payload over 1T so not looking for weekender or extra frills in the groom area - basic horse carrying box required!

- We do also have Burley Horseboxes down the road who can build a basic van style box for a reasonable price. Otherwise looking second hand.
 
I've just gone back to a 3.5t box purely for the amount of miles I travel to events, definitely recommend a stallion partition.
If take a look at Warwickshire horse boxes, even if you don't buy from them (I didnt) they have a massive range which will give you an idea of different set ups.
 
100% stallion build if going coachbuilt, I wouldn’t even consider one with a breast bar/partition to the living; far too many horror stories. Also stops getting hay all over your kit!

Our current one we bought new from Regent, who are about mid range price wise. We’ve not had any issues and they do pop up second hand on fb seemingly frequently.
 
If you can get a good 2nd hand Bloomfields they are well built in fact as Wayne Henning described it "Pukka" We have had trouble with the luton leaking and it did go back to Bloomfields but was not sealed well and still leaked but Wayne Henning has done a very good job on it and it appears dry now.
 
A stallion box doesn’t have a breast bar of any sort 🙂. This is a Marlborough stallion 3.5t.

IMG_3341.jpeg

It is much safer than the sadly too common fixed non collapsible or even welded in breast bars seen in far too many death trap 3.5t boxes. This scenario depicted below still happens far too often - how people can buy this design and travel their horses in one escapes me..

IMG_3340.jpeg
 
Depends on your horse. Mine is a good traveller and I went for a breast bar (but solid under the bar) as it has better ventilation. I would want 3 windows in the horse area, an adjustable roof vent. If you go for a stallion build have head height bars into the back area to give you some air flow.
 
I designed my own based on my current horses. That included a breastbar that can be dropped (but not ferom the outside - next time, I would have that just in case!) and a wall to the "living" (glorified mini tack room as I need horse space and payload not fancy things. when I do overnights, I sleep in the horse space quite happily). This is because one of my horses likes to lean on the bar and sweats up if he has nothing. Maybe he'd get used to it, but for the cost of a box I wasn't willing to risk it. No regrets - every horse has travelled super. I have had one go over the breast bar in a previous box, but they went the whole way over and exited out the back when prompted so thankfully no harm done!

I usually only travel one but have a full partition but no head partition. I have 8 windows in mine, very bright and airy, during the day anyway. I have LED night light, but considering replacing with red for a calmer light, not that mine care. I rarely use the lights, more of a headtorch person at night anyway, but have used for vet collection after dark for a friend's horse. My "living" is basic, but has tack hooks and I found boxes that stack perfectly that I put on anti split runners and bungee'd in for my stuff. Perfect. I don't use my luton. I have nothing to put in it. I don't keep a spare wheel for weigth reasons but have paid extra insurance for the "bring a wheel and replace it" service for £120. TBH if I had a spare it would probably have rotted by now anyway!
 
Racemaster are a good, solid, basic no frills box, although like Marlborough not always easy to find 2nd hand. Chaigley (unsure I’ve spelt that right) also supposed to be good.

Would say you’re better off with a full wall than a half wall due to risk of jumping. That doesn’t mean it has to be a straight wall or that it has to be up all the time.

My van conversion has a “shelf” so there’s a similar amount of extra head height to a half wall and something to lean their chest on if they want (neither horse I’ve travelled in it has seemed to want to, both preferred to lean their bum on the wall behind the cab instead of)

You can also get V shaped anti jump barriers that can be fitted onto boxes that only have a half wall and are usually able to be adjusted / removed if needed.

I will admit that because I only have a small window in the solid wall (have debated a bigger one but not done it) the airflow isn’t as good as the box I used to have with a half wall (although that box had a higher head height & overall bigger internal dimensions)
 
Needing a payload over 1T will be a problem.

There's a guy who inspects boxes and posts his videos on Facebook (can find if you need) who believes you can't get a payload that high without skimping on the build - usually the bulkhead.

Stallion partitions are heavier too.

If you find the perfect box take it to a weighbridge yourself. Last one sold off my yard took out the partition, rubber mats and unscrewed the grooms door to take it to get the cert!
 
Jambarissa said:
Needing a payload over 1T will be a problem.

There's a guy who inspects boxes and posts his videos on Facebook (can find if you need) who believes you can't get a payload that high without skimping on the build - usually the bulkhead.

Stallion partitions are heavier too.

If you find the perfect box take it to a weighbridge yourself. Last one sold off my yard took out the partition, rubber mats and unscrewed the grooms door to take it to get the cert!
Click to expand...
Our Marlborough Sport had a payload just over 1.1T (we took it to a weighbridge ourselves). That was after an upgraded bulkhead and a few other tweaks. That box stood up to unhandled feral ponies and all sorts - was solid and reliable until time began to take its toll on the mechanics. A friend has a JMS icon (half wall) with a payload of 1.1T.

Not that anyone seems to actually check their payload. Went to see an Equisport which was sold as having a payload of 1.1T. No way. Ramp heavy, doors heavy, full partition to rear with heavy metal grille.

Has anyone on here checked their payload who has a stallion box and what do you have?
 
Mine is a Foxy and has a payload of 950, I only ever travel one and all my horses are under 500kg (they are all Arabs) and as I do endurance 99% of the time take a truck to crew from so put stuff in there to take.
 
Marlborough Hunters have a payload of around 1100kg, depending on spec. They can be upgraded to 3.9t without much hassle, is that an option for you? That gives them a payload of around 1500kg. Means they need annual plating and not an MOT, though.

They’ve been around for a while, they do come up secondhand. Well built boxes.

www.marlboroughhorseboxes.co.uk

Stud Box - Marlborough Horseboxes

Introducing the Marlborough Stud Box: The Ultimate in Safe and Versatile Horse Transportation Discover the unrivaled solution for the secure transport of stallions, mares, foals, young stock, and even problem horses. Our new and improved design sets the gold standard in equine transportation...
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maya2008 said:
Our Marlborough Sport had a payload just over 1.1T (we took it to a weighbridge ourselves). That was after an upgraded bulkhead and a few other tweaks. That box stood up to unhandled feral ponies and all sorts - was solid and reliable until time began to take its toll on the mechanics. A friend has a JMS icon (half wall) with a payload of 1.1T.

Not that anyone seems to actually check their payload. Went to see an Equisport which was sold as having a payload of 1.1T. No way. Ramp heavy, doors heavy, full partition to rear with heavy metal grille.

Has anyone on here checked their payload who has a stallion box and what do you have?
Click to expand...
The Marlborough Equisport is a van conversion, the comment regarding payload refers to coach conversions
 
Lady Jane said:
Depends on your horse. Mine is a good traveller and I went for a breast bar (but solid under the bar) as it has better ventilation. I would want 3 windows in the horse area, an adjustable roof vent. If you go for a stallion build have head height bars into the back area to give you some air flow.
Click to expand...
Just going to comment: doesn’t matter how calm, how experienced a traveller - stuff can go wrong!
Eg a totally steady, late teens, ex grands prix horse who’d been all over Europe in his time, suddenly see-sawing on the bar.
If using a breast bar, you need one that is easily collapsible from outside the box. Fully agree with plenty of ventilation, and little horseboxes are often poor in this respect.
 
My top 3 things when looking was, ventilation roof fan and windows, stallion partition and barn doors, my husband did the mechanical side!
 
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