3.5t horsebox in 45mph winds

[hgce]

Hi there
I have the farrier with my horse tomorrow. They are a specialist farrier as my horse is extremely prone to injury and is fragile. They come down from Scotland to my vets that is a 20 minute drive away. However, it is forecast for 45mph winds. Normally I wouldn’t dream of traveling in that condition. However, my horse is so sensitive and reliant on such strict feet care that I am thinking should I go. I can take a back road to keep off the A1 so that the roads are more sheltered.
I desperately don’t want to cause my horse harm by not having him shod however I’m aware that pointless if we tip on the way to the vets because of the wind. I’m basically asking if anyone has any advice. If I am careful and take back roads, will we be ok or despite this should I not go. I’m surprised, I rang the vet and no one else who uses the clinic have rang to cancel or ask to delay the clinic for when it is safer. I would hope a vet clinic would intervene if they thought it was unsafe?!
Thanks in advance

 

[humblepie]

I think it will depend on the roads and so if they’re sheltered hopefully okay. Race yards take their small lorries out in those winds. We turned round once in our big lorry as it was being blown around on a dual carriageway quite near home but the whole journey was along dual carriageways with open fields.

 

[Nicnac]

When is farrier next down?

You'd be safer driving slowly on big road as small roads will have branches down. One horse in a 3.5ton is pretty weighty and you're not a high vehicle. Make the call in the morning as things change.

 

[KikiDee]

I once had to take my horse into the vets in a trailer in high winds, similar journey time but also took back lanes/sheltered roads and it was surprisingly calm. I took it very steady and was prepared to turn back but didn't feel a single gust. In comparison it can be quite nail-biting doing a motorway run in similar conditions in a normal car! (I have to travel for work, not much choice). I was surprised how much better the lanes with high hedges were.

Incidentally when I had to take him in for his next appointment I had to endure the journey in a foot of snow - I felt like I was cursed at the time!