Advice re Horsebox please

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Horsemom

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We would like to buy our first horsebox. Only a 3.5t one (don't intend to transport more than one horse), with a tiny living area (after getting drenched at Pony Club camp). We don't intend to go far, 1.5 hours max.

I've seen this box, forward-facing, payload would be 800kg and the horse area measurements are 250cm (8ft2) length, 200cm (6ft6) width and 225cm (7ft4) height.

Our boy (Irish Sport Horse) is 15.2 hh, he wears a 6''3 rug.

Do you think this box would be sufficient for him? Any advice appreciated.
 
Your vet should have a weigh bridge so take him there for a weigh in but unless your horse is very slight I think that's too tight .
 
Hi,
as well as the weight of the horse, you'll need to factor in other things, such as tack, grooming kits, rugs, hay, water, clothing, passengers etc.
As previously suggested, it's best to get your boy on a weigh bridge, then work out how much will be left. It does sound a bit tight to be honest and you'd definitely struggle if you ever wanted to go with another horse on board as well.
 
I think you're best to go and have a look and see what you think. I have a ford 3.5T which has a nice little living area but it is stalled herringbone which I like because I can change how much space they get and alter for bigger/smaller horses. My boy is a chunky 14.2 Welsh and if it weren't for the payload (700kg), I could easily get two of him on.

Personally, I didn't like the forward facing ones I saw because there's no flexibility on how much space they can have, but then again I've not seen another one like mine that's herringbone!
 
I have a forward facing 3.5 ton lorry my 15h horse fits fine, I have a large 16.3 and she fits but its tight and not much head room for my liking, what make vehicle is it your looking at?
 
I have just measured mine and its 7"3 high 6"7 long and 3"4 wide thats each side Where the horse stands not the whole lorry, I think you will be ok with a 15.3 my 15 h horse has loads of room I wouldnt travel my 16.3 in mine I just put her on to see how she looked and she is too big, mine is a Renault mark one lorry not the van types you see now.

Also wanted to say I only ever travel one horse or the weight would be over, I could get away with two small ponies but no bigger.
 
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OP,
Having not read the original post properly (doh!) I wish to revise my answer to say that the horse should fit fine in the horse area, as there seems to be sufficient room for the one horse in question.
The payload doesn't seem to generous though but if you only ever want to travel just one, then you should be ok.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I have just measured mine and its 7"3 high 6"7 long and 3"4 wide thats each side Where the horse stands not the whole lorry, I think you will be ok with a 15.3 my 15 h horse has loads of room I wouldnt travel my 16.3 in mine I just put her on to see how she looked and she is too big, mine is a Renault mark one lorry not the van types you see now.

Also wanted to say I only ever travel one horse or the weight would be over, I could get away with two small ponies but no bigger.
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Thanks so much for going through the trouble of measuring your box, I really appreciate it.

My worry is that this isn't one of those set-ups where the horse stands in a stall and is then able to hang the head over the barrier into the groom's area. The entire horse area is enclosed, so 250cm will have to be enough for the entire horse, not just the body up to the shoulder.
 
I have been involved in transporting big horses in a big box, that was supposed to be herringbone, but in fact on the occasions when the box was full the horses travelled at 90 degrees. This meant that each stall length was 8ft nose to croup,plus a similar width to the one your box has.

If a horse is a good traveller it could "cope" with this, but we found that the horses had to hold their heads and necks at an unnatural angle, and after a while it obviously made them ache as they would start to stand in a funny way.

They would sit back a bit like a horse with lami, to allow the front end some more room. They would get sore rumps, tails, and their backs were all humped up. They were also less stable when travelling like this.

These horses were all over 17hh though, so maybe with a 15.2 it would not be so tight. I would see if you could try the horse in the box, and check that he can stand with head and neck in a normal stance?

Other than that the height and width sound adequate. If you are only travelling one it may also be possible to make the compartment that you do use a bit wider, so the horse has space to stand a little off angle? Maybe 1 ft more space, and a small toilet/ coats hanging compartment in the other side?

Or, even take the partition right out, in which case the horse will not have a small compartment, he would have a complete, huge APARTMENT, and you would save the weight of the partition too :-)
 
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how much fuel gives the 800 kg payload?

I'd want more even if just travelling one tbh, as once you add in people, water and stuff it starts to add up.
 
If she wears a 6'3 rug, that measurement is usually centre of chest to centre of tail. So for argument's sake let's take off 1ft for the measurement round the shoulder and bum. Your horse's body is now 5'3. Now add in the length of neck and head. If you feel that 2'11 is enough for her neck and head then she will fit. Personally, I think it's a bit tight, but if you're only travelling one and the partition isn't fixed then she could be given more room with a full breast bar and standing herringbone.
 
Horsemom said:
Thanks so much for going through the trouble of measuring your box, I really appreciate it.

My worry is that this isn't one of those set-ups where the horse stands in a stall and is then able to hang the head over the barrier into the groom's area. The entire horse area is enclosed, so 250cm will have to be enough for the entire horse, not just the body up to the shoulder.
Click to expand...

Thats ok you know I was just thinking that as I have only seen one VW and remember it being as you describe, I see what you mean the length being 8"2 for the whole horse including head and neck would be quite small, what a shame they are nice boxes too, I can reccomend the Renault I love mine your horse would fit in one of those, only paid £4,200 for a N reg been really reliable and is immaculate inside its a coachbuilt Equipe so nicely made, good luck with your search.
 
I doubt that 800 kg is sufficient payload.

You need an accurate weight for your horse then need to add in the weight of a full tank of fuel, the driver and a passenger, anything they will carry in the cab with them, e.g. bags, tack, grooming equipment, tack rack (if you have one), a full water carrier, rugs & boots and any other equipment that you will put in the living - maybe small gas burner and kettle, tea-making stuff/sandwich making stuff, brush and shovel, hi-viz stuff in case of breakdown, etc, etc.

IIWY, I'd look for something with a bigger payload. Contrary to popular opinion, VOSA do check horseboxes and WILL make you unload something at the roadside before you can continue your journey.
 
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