Best utilisation of partitions/space in horsebox

[Bangagin]

I've just bought a Ford Iveco horsebox, and despite the previous owner having similar sized horses to me (I checked rug size for body length rather than height of horse!) I am having problems angling the partitions to fit two long horses in.

We just can't get the angle right to make the space long enough for the horses. I tried my mare on board, as she is an easy loader, and she just didn't look comfortable eating her hay.

So the only other option I think we have is to take one of the partitions out, and travel the horses with one partition separating them.

If I put the partition straight across then each horse would have a rectangular space each. If I angle the centre partition then they would have a triangular shaped space.

Do you think it is safe to travel them with just one partition separating? Would they be able to balance themselves OK or would they have too much space to move around in?

I have been used to travelling them in a trailer previously, and they are held quite snug between the partitions and breast/breech bars. It feels a bit scary to have them in a largish space - but I suppose they can wedge themselves where they feel comfortable?

Would love everyone's advice please, as at the moment I am thinking that the lorry is too small for 2 horses and I will have to sell it on!

 

[Petalpoos]

What size box is it (3.5 tonne, 7 tonne whatever)?

 

[kerilli]

one partition's fine, i usually only have 1 partition in my 3-horse, 7.5 tonne iveco. it does depend at what angle the wall into the living has been set though, that makes a difference how they stand ime. i had a bad traveller who usually had the whole 3-horse area to herself and travelled finw like that, she'd arrange herself where she was happiest... they don't use the partitions to stay upright anyway. i'd put the 1 partition almost 1/2 way across the gap, so they both have a parallelogram kind of shape.

 

[Bangagin]

What size box is it (3.5 tonne, 7 tonne whatever)?

7.5 tonne.

So are you saying angle the partition diagonally across the centre, to make two triangular shaped areas? (It's a long time since i did maths at school but not sure I could make a parallelogram because the ends of the horse area are squared off rather than angled?)

I'm not sure what you mean about the angle of the wall to the living area. The horse area is rectangular, so the wall to the living area is parallel to the ramp end. The area is slightly longer than it is wider, but not much. I think we measured the whole area as 9ft long and 8ft wide.

I am beginning to think it would have been better to have a smaller living area and larger horse area in hindsight. We did look at some lorries where the side door opened in to the horse area, rather than the living area, and it just didn't dawn on me that meant a larger horse area! Doh!! (It's my first lorry.)

 

[Bangagin]

Anyone?

 

[ticobay831]

Im having the same dilema with my lorry, its a side ramp, foreward facing, lovely lorry but my youngster is a bit on the long side, it has a fixed breast bar and there just isnt the room for him to turn around, with the bar out hes fine, so we are looking at changing the partition so it fixes to the floor and rood abit like a trailer partition then having drop down breat bars that we can lift into place onece hes in and im hoping this willl work.
My friends 16hh goes in and has enough room.
Im so peed off with it, just spent lots of money on it as well and i was sure it would be big enough, think if the horse is an experianced loader then there wouldnt be a problem but mine isnt used to a lorry and tend to panick a bit and theres no way im risking him getting hurt.
trying to find someone to do the alterations is proving difficult as well.
Have found the perfect lorry but just cant sell the one weve got.
Bloody horses bloody lorries!!!

Is you lorry foreward facing or herinbone ?

 

[Bangagin]

I feel your frustration ticobay831! We spent so much time (and effort - the partitions are heavy!) at the weekend trying every different combination we could think of.

The partitions can be angled so that the horses travel herringbone (if they are short enough!) or sideways on (if even shorter!!) - it's not forward facing as the tracks for the partitions run along the sides.

I'll have to take one out and try them with one remaining partition. My mare will be fine, but the gelding I have on loan is a bit of a panicker and I really don't want to travel him unless he is happy on board, so think it may involve a bit of trial and error with him.

Good luck with resolving your issues!