Best trailer (for horse) - money no object!

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canteron

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I have a year to research, but when my OH changes car I may swap my lorry for a trailer.
What is considered the best - from the horses point of view. I don’t go far so no living/storage etc really needed.
One 16hh chunky type.
 
Thats a fairly "depends on the horse" scenario. How does your horse travel in your current lorry? If well then I'd look for a trailer that postions the horse in the same way ?
 
Bockmann trailers are very well made and hold their value well.

I would look for one that is quiet when being towed (doesn't have too many rattles).

Before buying one it would be worth trying your horse in different models as some may prefer to travel backwards or forwards or herring bone.
 
I think this is hugely dependent on a number of factors however I have both an Ifor Williams 510 and a Cheval liberte maxi3 and my horses all travel well in both.
 
It definitely depends on the horse!

One of mine is quite claustrophobic and so forward facing and front ramps were a no. None of mine actually travelled that well forward facing at all to be honest, but all had travelled well going backwards facing in my little box. I also wanted to steer away from I-fors as they do rattle and the newer ones seem to have gone down in build quality. I was tempted by the Chevals as the suspension was a draw, but again forward facing with a narrow exit out the front if I went for the tackroom option (I was also sick of everything covered in hay so wanted a tack room/ box).

Bockmann seem to be the ones everyone recommends but not that common here!

In the end I went for the an Equitrek as it was the best fit for my fusspants horses! I have since upgraded to the newer style with no wood to rot (all wooden panelled trailers will rot eventually ;)). They all travel super in it, but it is massive so maneuvering it about is not as easy as my previous smaller trailer!
 
The herringbone Cheval trailers look nice to me, especially with the drop down windows for when you're waiting at shows etc. But it depends if your horse is happy to travel herringbone, which it might do if you're coming from a lorry.
Friends have had the ifor william eventa with living, they love the living but the herrinbone is too tight for the larger horses. One with smalller horses/ponies loves it and so do the horses.
I'm an equitrek fan but again thats because I need living, but I also find the suspension is so much better than my ancient rice/richardson .
Another friend has the bockman with the tack locker at the front and horses seems to love that, its a step on rather than a ramp.
 
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I current have an Equitrek as my mare prefers travelling rear facing, but it’s really hard to reverse (even DH who can reverse a trailer anywhere says that), the plan is to hire a 511 for a couple of days from our local dealer and if we get on with it buy one from them*

*I want to see if the KS surgery means she will travel forwards facing now.
 
canteron said:
Is there any that give a better ride on todays lumpy bumpy roads - my lorry picks up every little bump and I was wondering if some have sprung floors?
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Yes the cheval trailers do!! They have a super suspension which gives a much smoother ride.

I actually was a passenger in a friends car today who was towing a brand new Ifor Williams HBX trailer and oh my god it was SO much bumpier than my cheval!! I felt sorry for any horse in it!! I have the original cheval tourer which is a bit snug up front with the tack locker but fine for my pony…if I was to buy again I would go for the new XL tourer option as it has a LOT more space between the horse and the tack locker x
 
My short coupled 16.1 (6’6 rug) is too long for a Bockmann. Pain as I did all the research and found this out just as I was ready to buy 🤨
It’s a known issue.
 
Bobthecob15 said:
Yes the cheval trailers do!! They have a super suspension which gives a much smoother ride.

I actually was a passenger in a friends car today who was towing a brand new Ifor Williams HBX trailer and oh my god it was SO much bumpier than my cheval!! I felt sorry for any horse in it!! I have the original cheval tourer which is a bit snug up front with the tack locker but fine for my pony…if I was to buy again I would go for the new XL tourer option as it has a LOT more space between the horse and the tack locker x
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Yes I’d be more interested in the XL and see if it would suit, miss Skylla. Though I have no complaints on my equitreks.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Whatever your short list narrows down to, do borrow or hire the configurations that appeal most before you buy.

That’s easier said than done with a much less common make such as Bockmann.
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This!!!!

I hear of so many people who buy what 'they' think is the perfect trailer, only for the horse to be anything from unsettled to downright refusing to load for a 2nd journey.
 
Irish-Only said:
My short coupled 16.1 (6’6 rug) is too long for a Bockmann. Pain as I did all the research and found this out just as I was ready to buy 🤨
It’s a known issue.
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I had this issue too (as you know Irish-only) with mine being squeezed in to a Bockmann which would apparently take something a hand or so bigger, so be careful there! I had to sell mine on. They still haven't admitted to this or changed they're sizing, many have been caught out with larger horses.

My lad is claustrophobic & loves the HBX we have now with the big light windows at the front. It's also alot more heavy duty/substantial than previous models & panels can't rot.

My friends night treka wall popped away from the floor at only 2yrs old, so I stayed away from them. I love the layout & concept, I'm sure my horse would like it too, but I can't look past it.
 
My horse loves my cheval minimax. He had a meltdown in a normal front facing trailer and the minimax was a bit of a distress purchase after trying for months to get him used to a traditional type. He travels a lot better herringbone and enjoys looking out of the window at events. The partitions move so a longer horse can be given more room and it's very spacious anyway. The ramp can be opened to allow hop on or traditional ramp. There's a 2 horse version now.
 
Irish-Only said:
My short coupled 16.1 (6’6 rug) is too long for a Bockmann. Pain as I did all the research and found this out just as I was ready to buy 🤨
It’s a known issue.
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I wonder if that's only an issue on some models? The stud from which I obtained some horses had the Grand Master model, and comfortably fitted their stallions in it which were all 16.2hh +. My 17.1hh boy fitted in the same trailer fine, too.
 
I've never towed one, but if money was no object I'd be looking hard at the Fautras trailers really like the design and build quality.

Or importing a herrinbone Kar-Kar from Australia. Big light front windows, tack box, well made and solid smooth ride.
 
I don’t like Bockmanns. I hate forward travelling unless they have a tonne of space though I agree the build is outstanding. I have a herringbone Cheval and love it. I got one with barn doors and no ramp and I think horses load better.
 
I drive an old IW505 - better build quality than modern IW505s, regularly serviced and floor/panels/parts/tyres replaced over the years when necessary.

The rattling of the upper metal doors is easily solved by wrapping a small elasticated hairband around the base of the "peg" before you latch the door onto the peg.

PS The only time I've had trailer envy was when a friend owned a Fautras trailer. Wider than my IW505. No ramps, just 2 rear doors which open and the horses step up into it and travel herringbone style. No front ramp so they reverse out of it. Lots of top windows/vents, very light. Horses loved it. Too wide for my narrow driveway otherwise I'd have bought it from her when she sold it for a lorry.
 
teddy_ said:
I wonder if that's only an issue on some models? The stud from which I obtained some horses had the Grand Master model, and comfortably fitted their stallions in it which were all 16.2hh +. My 17.1hh boy fitted in the same trailer fine, too.
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Quite possibly! The one I was sold was the 'Big Champion R' which I was told would take horses upto 18hh with an extra 4 inch width & 5 inch height. My 16.2 warmblood in 6'6/6'9 rugs, was wedged. My friend also had the same issue with a Portax she was told would fit her 16.3 & again, too small. I've heard there's some aftermarket mod they're now doing to move the internal bar fixings further forward but who knows. I'd most definitely take a measuring tape & not listen to the salesman!
 
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