Dangerous weather for driving horseboxes?

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DonkeyClub

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Would be interesting to hear at what wind speeds would you say no, we're not driving horses in that. how would you gauge safe or not safe weather ? Apart from the obvious when it's a tornado/ frost/snow. I saw horseboxes out today but was wondering if it really was safe for them as the wind was just screaming. At what wind speed would you say 'no way'?
 
I don't know about specific wind speeds...but my mum (and myself) is very sensitive about driving our lorry in windy conditions...so today with it actually howling we would have said no...usually if it gets to the point where the wind is noisy i.e. howling, then we say no.

It isn't worth it simply to go to a competition or lesson, there are other days and other shows to go to.
 
I wouldn't have driven my lorry this evening as it's a full blown storm but do go out on windy days. 30mph wouldn't phase me but I would drive slowly, keep both hands on the wheel to keep control in unexpected gusts and be very wary in open spaces.

It's the gusts that are dangerous so always keep an eye on windguru.cz for weather conditions
 
. I guess there are no hard or fast rules! I'm still undecided about wether to go out competing this weekend.. Day forecast says wind speed 25mph.. Wind gust 35 to 45mph but miedium rain fall not super heavy.. Will be going on motorway/ open road with a 6 ton lorry! To go or not to go?
 
I am the same DC, I have a trailer and will have to use the m25 there and back on Sunday and am nervous at the best of times of having the trailer on that road, don't know whether to just cancel?
 
We are thinking the same, we were planning on heading to ALW tomorrow morning and forecast is 20mph winds with 30 mph gusts, I am happy with that, but by 12pm the gusts are up to 50 mph and that really doesn't appeal to me! So the plan is to see what its like in the morning and decide from there. Whatever we decide I will go the "slow route" which is up the A5 rather than the more exposed but quicker route up the M1.
 
Its very borderline between being safe/ dangerous!! I guess I will have to decide tomorrow morning too. It's wether to plait / wash / prep two horses today or not!!
 
I've never driven in properly windy conditions so went to get fuel on Wed in wind (with no horses in) as test run for tomorrow (same wind speeds expected). I drove on a fairly exposed dual carriage way in up to 49mph gusts (according to forecast) and was surprised how little trouble I had (needed to make a few micro adjustments on exposed stretches). It wasn't a full crosswind however, and I was driving slowly as a precaution (but saw many similar vehicles flying past at full whack). I also went very slowly round corners/ turns. Unless the forecast worstens we will be going tomorrow as will be driving the whole way on fairly sheltered country lanes on roads I know, so have planned the route in advance to avoid the one road thats exposed and always seems windy and will drive even more carefully than normal. I guess its a case of playing it by ear though as I'd be more wary about going if I was travelling a long way, on exposed roads, and/ or roads I didn't know.
 
I think it is ok as long as you drive for the conditions, take extra caution and drive slowly aviod routes where you know you will be exposed to high winds. We are going for a lesson on Saturday down A & B roads should be ok as quite sheltered. If it feels awful like we are being blown around I will tur n back but not expecting to have to. I saw that Weston lawns have cancelled their show tomorrow due to high winds I think other centres would do the same if they thought it necesesary.
 
claire_p2001 said:
I saw that Weston lawns have cancelled their show tomorrow due to high winds
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My guess is thats because the wind howls through WL and tends to blow the jumps down despite use of heavy sandbags on the wings.

I dont have any hard and fast rules about driving conditions. Depends on the vehicle in question. High sides and light weight have more limiting conditions than lower heavy lorries.
 
If I'm in any way unsure it's a no from me. It's just not worth the risk. Unfortunately if the wind picks up on way home you haven't much option obviously. Actually having this dilemma today as meant to be jumping 2moro but won't go if it's really awful.....I can cope with rain, just not high winds!!
 
I'm withdrawing from my competition tomorrow which may be abandoned anyway due to the enormous storm we're supposed to get in the South West. Badgworth have already cancelled tomorrow's dressage.

In my little lorry I wouldn't be so bothered, but it's my first outing in the big one after passing my test on Tuesday and I would rather it was a positive experience!!!!
 
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