Buying a new trailer for tricky traveller/ loader.

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BigBird146

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Hi all, new here so hope you can help me.
Due to various different personal circumstances I haven't done anything other than hack my horse for the last few years, but I'm now ready to try and do a bit more with my gorgeous but arrogant 16hh Hanovarian X who is finally starting to chill out a bit in his old age (15 yrs)! Firstly, I'm looking to a buy a new trailer probably in Ifor 505 or Bateson Deauville, with American (van style) doors. He doesn't load well (could stand all day on the ramp with his heals dug in if I'm not careful!) and wondered if anyone had experience of loading into these types of trailers. The Ifor system can be used as either van doors or ramp but the Bateson has a mini 'pull-out' ramp. Also they have different suspensions, the Ifor being leaf spring and the Bateson being independent... does it really make a difference to how the horse travels do you think?
I'm 99% sure my horse hasn't had a bad experience (just trying it on!) and when loading him regularly for going to lesson's when I first got him he was managable, but I want us both to find the trailer loading and travelling as stress free as possible so that we can both enjoy it and start doing some new things together!
 
Well I've done a bit of research into suspension and leaf spring is truly ancient. And really you can get better. Bateson suspension is much better. You're not looking at Cheval Liberte but you can get Pullman suspension on those which is the best suspension (this is one of the reasons I'm getting one of these trailers). My friend's horse travelled very badly in trailers until she got one of these, and now she said he loves being in it and travels beautifully.

From what I've seen Bateson far surpass Ifor Williams in most ways. But some people are diehard IW fans.

I don't know much about the door systems I'm afraid. Americans and Europeans don't use ramps I think and the horses learn to just step up and down as necessary.

Could you perhaps hire some to try them out? there are some trailer dealers that do hire as well - I think Point 2 Point trailers do hire? Else maybe a friend could lend you one to try.
 
Thanks for the info on the suspensions, wasn't sure if the practice lives upto the 'theory' the trailer manufacturers put out! Asked my horse dentist his opinion last week and he said the Cheval Liberte one's are a bit flimsy and don't hold their value as well as Bateson or IW, as my horse does have a good old kick at the sides when stationary, solid construction definatly is a must. Could hire an Ifor with regular ramps from a local dealer, but not sure about Bateson.
 
Hehe yes I think they do look flimsy, thankfully they don't seem to be in reality
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Good luck with finding one - I'm sure there will be someone who can lend you a Bateson in your area? They are lovely trailers!
 
A friend's father is an engineer by profession and he checked out all the trailers on the market about 5-6 years ago, within their sort of budget.

They bought a Bateson for a 17.2 shire x TB mare and have done miles and miles to various shows and they said it pulls very well and the horse travels fine. They went from the Midlands to Kent with this mare and her foal as well, absolutely fine.

There is the french make Fautra and the Equitrek which are more like mini-horseboxes inside, but they are a lot more expensive and quite a bit heavier - you would need a big 4 x 4, a Discovery at least, to pull them.
 
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