Advice on small horse boxes

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AndersonLucy

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22 January 2013
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Does any one have experience of the van type 3.5 ton horse boxes. I am looking for an easy to drive box for my 15.2 and have always felt the van type boxes look a little unsafe. However they are a good price and I really don't want a big box. Any experiences good or bad on theses.
 
I have a van conversion and travel either my 16.1hh TB in it OR my 14hh youngster. Both travel well in it - with the TB in, it definitely "pulls" more one way on bends, but it never feels unsafe - with the 14hh in I can't even feel that I have a horse in there. They're great - very convenient, cheap to run, and insure, but I do fully understand your concerns with them - I think a lot depends on how the horse travels - my last TB was 15.3hh and was a horror to travel - I hated every minute while he kicked, stomped and leaned.

Just make sure if you get one that you have a reinforced bulkhead as I had to take mine to a steel fabricators to get mine done - it only cost about £100 but was worth every penny. Some people like to have a collapsible breast bar, or boxed in so that they can't get over into the back. Fortunately my TB wouldn't 'be able to get up high enough to get over and my 14hh hasn't tried it yet (although I wouldn't put it past her!) - however I do have double doors at the back for an emergency access.
 
I was also very dubious about the van conversions, but bought one as a 'stop gap' until I could find something better.

However 5yrs on I still have the van! Fantastic little lorry and my horses travel so well in it. It drives really easily, is economical to keep, and my normal car garage does all the maintenance.

The only thing I would say against them is that they are often advertised as taking 2 x 16.2hhs, which I personally wouldn't do because of the payload. However it carries my 15hh and 13.2hh a treat and has a large grooms area for all their equipment.

Also if you can afford it I would go for the turbo diesel engine especially if you live in a hilly area like we do!
 
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