3 horse trailer question? "Ward"

[H.K.D]

Ok, I am currently looking for a 3 horse trailer, I am not desperate to buy one as its for the polo ponies and the season has come to an end (almost) so could wait until March 2013. However I have seen one on ebay which looks perfectly sound, and is very cheap (£600 start)

However I have never heard of the brand "Ward" and also the floor has rubber matting, then wooden slats over which prevents the matting being lifted and therefore checking the floor.

Would you: avoid it at all costs? Risk it needing a new floor once purchased (I cannot view it before as its 4 hrs away, and what about the make?

I am in a dilemma as it looks better than the older rice ones. I cannot and will not be able to afford an ifor williams 610 or 510xl next season and therefore could afford a richardson or newer rice if I am lucky to find one at a good price. Or do I get a cheap one and spend some money on it having it checked and serviced and anything that needs doing, get done. I like the look of this one, its a nicer style than rice, and looks easier to paint and re do.

Thanks for reading! Any advice much appreciated.

 

[JenHunt]

I have a 3horse ward trailer, except ours has had the breast bar adjusted forwards to take 2 big horses.

it's a good solid trailer, and ours is at least 15yo. My Dad and a local engineer friend replaced the floor a few years ago, only because one corner had been hit by something (when trailer was empty fortunately!) and buckled some of the boards. Cost us about £100 in "parts" so not a mega expensive job at all.

it is stable to tow, and the larger wheels give a smoother ride for the horses. We re-paint about every 2 years, and it's a pretty easy job to do!

the only downside of the trailer is that it is heavy - about 1200kg empty. So you really do need a good towing vehicle. it is also wider than my fourtrak, but ok with a Disco.

I reckon go for it - even if the floor does need replacing £600 is a bargain IMO!

 

[H.K.D]

Hi thanks so much for the helpful reply.

It does look a good trailer, the back breast bars are just chains, which I don't like but I should imagine I could get a full length breast bar put in or 2 individual ones? What do you think?

I would be travelling three petite polo ponies at 14'2hh and have seen bigger horses (x3) go in the rice so am not concerned about that.

I will be towing with my 1996 Disco, automatic. So should be fine.

Thanks again. Yes I thought £600 was a bargain, as long as it doesn't go up in a bidding war.

Also what paint do you use? and is it metal or plastic that I would be painting. The colour is currently a faded red and I'd look to paint it a shiny black/navy to smarten it up.

Many thanks

 

[JenHunt]

we've put a length of alkathene (?) pipe over the chains to keep them 'softer' on the horses backsides! and our breastbar is just one length which suits our boys as they're very polite, but if you've got fidgeters then 2 might be better!

3 ponies will easily fit in!! and yes, your disco should be fine too!

we use Iron Oxide metal paint all over as a base coat (a horrible orange colour) then a gloss over the top with 2 or 3 coats. Ours is red/brown and it's part wood (sides and ramps) and part metal (top and frames/springs etc). Saw one the other weekend that was like new, and the wood had been sanded and oiled and was beautiful!

 

[H.K.D]

Thanks again, what litre is your disco, mine is 2.5.

Great about the paint, I would like to smarten it up.

Do you happen to have any photos of the inside or even outside of yours. I can send you my email address. Just interested as when you google it you get nothing!!

 

[JenHunt]

our disco was the tdi 2.5L manual.
excuse the mess and the fact my horse is in the way of them all! will see if I can find better ones at home!

 

[H.K.D]

Thank you. Its exactly the same, apart from the partition. looks fine to me My mum thinks i am better waiting to see what I can get but I actually think its a bargain and a nice trailer which just needs tidying up and servicing.