Checking Trailer Breast Bars

[bubsqueaks]

Just read this on the Horse & Hound News page - worth double checking as was obviously a possible life saver for this pony & I wasnt aware of the difference in the placement of the bar end with the pins!

A horse tipped on its head in a trailer, and other things the horse world is talking about - Horse & Hound

1. An important safety mechanism The owner of a broodmare who got stuck upside-down when she tried to jump over a horse trailer breast bar has thanked Ifor Williams for its built-in safety mechanism that enabled her horse to walk away with barely a scratch. Lorna Madden has also urged fellow...

www.horseandhound.co.uk

 

[Sossigpoker]

It's shocking how many people don't know this.
But hardly surprising seeing what utter death traps some people put their horses into !

 

[bubsqueaks]

It's shocking how many people don't know this.
But hardly surprising seeing what utter death traps some people put their horses into !

Youd think given the importance of this point there might be a warning sign somewhere about it?
I agree Im really struggling with buying a trailer at the minute due to the state of some of them & its not just the old 505s either.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Youd think given the importance of this point there might be a warning sign somewhere about it?
I agree Im really struggling with buying a trailer at the minute due to the state of some of them & its not just the old 505s either.

I guess because anyone can buy and tow a trailer that any info gets transferred through word of mouth. I took a few towing lessons before I bought mine and the lady teaching me talked me through all this. As did the dealer when I bought it

I see people selling 505s for over 3 grand, or trying to , but in all honesty , they're not worth that as at their age they'll need refurbishing and panels and ramps replaced.

If you can get to Ralph Bailey trailers in Weston Super Mare (or around there ) he gets 505s in and they're around 3-3500 grand , but he will replace any obviously rotten panels first

 

[bubsqueaks]

I guess because anyone can buy and tow a trailer that any info gets transferred through word of mouth. I took a few towing lessons before I bought mine and the lady teaching me talked me through all this. As did the dealer when I bought it

I see people selling 505s for over 3 grand, or trying to , but in all honesty , they're not worth that as at their age they'll need refurbishing and panels and ramps replaced.

If you can get to Ralph Bailey trailers in Weston Super Mare (or around there ) he gets 505s in and they're around 3-3500 grand , but he will replace any obviously rotten panels first

Oh blimey thank you Ive just looked at his website & says he has 25 x 505s ! Its a long way from Essex but Im going to see what hes got thank you

 

[Tiddlypom]

Yes, and I have had cause to thank the Ifor Williams quick release breast bar design on our 510 classic. The chestnut git decided to jump the breast bar when waiting in the car park at horsepital - he'd only gone as a sensible travelling companion .

He got hung up astride on it. I'd checked before the trip that I had the full travel kit, so quickly located the allen key and he was released within minutes. OH was safely outside the trailer as he worked the allen key.

The vets were highly impressed, they'd not long had a horse do similar in a lorry and it was a fire brigade job to cut the horse out. Horse was throughly checked out by the vets, and after a few staples to a head wound was pronounced fit to travel home.

'Is he young? the vet nurse asked. 'Err, he's 22.' I replied. Ruddy horse looked smug as anything being the centre of attention .

I've now replaced the allen key bolts all round with the better bolts that you can insert a wheel brace in.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Yes, and I have had cause to thank the Ifor Williams quick release breast bar design on our 510 classic. The chestnut git decided to jump the breast bar when waiting in the car park at horsepital - he'd only gone as a sensible travelling companion .

He got hung up astride on it. I'd checked before the trip that I had the full travel kit, so quickly located the allen key and he was released within minutes. OH was safely outside the trailer as he worked the allen key.

The vets were highly impressed, they'd not long had a horse do similar in a lorry and it was a fire brigade job to cut the horse out. Horse was throughly checked out by the vets, and after a few staples to a head wound was pronounced fit to travel home.

'Is he young? the vet nurse asked. 'Err, he's 22.' I replied. Ruddy horse looked smug as anything being the centre of attention .

I've now replaced the allen key bolts all round with the better bolts that you can insert a wheel clamp in.

Thats so scarry isnt it when they jump the breast bar - we had a new pony trying to get over our lorry breast bar but thankfully she only got front feet over & nothing else! Needless to say I purchased the equi travel safe which she was always travelled in - unfortunately you cant use one of those in a trailer but could cross tie I suppose - thats another issue with the new Ifor 506 that large front window so would have to get the grill over that as seen horror photos of horses trying to come through that!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

When I have my 506 trailer serviced one of the things checked by the mechanic are that the bolts on the outside can be undone easily by me. No point having quick release anything if you can’t actually undo them because they are seized up.

 

[asmp]

Youd think given the importance of this point there might be a warning sign somewhere about it?
I agree Im really struggling with buying a trailer at the minute due to the state of some of them & its not just the old 505s either.

I agree that it would be a good idea to have a warning sticker in the trailer. I think I tried to look this up before with the IFW site and couldn’t see anything.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Oh blimey thank you Ive just looked at his website & says he has 25 x 505s ! Its a long way from Essex but Im going to see what hes got thank you

The website isn't always up to date so give him a call. If he has or is getting what you need , I think it would be worth the trip as he's said to be a decent bloke with a good reputation.