Double breast/breach bars

[Humble]

I was going to try using a double breast and breach bar in my IW 510 trailer to see if my mare travels better than with the partition. If you are on your own, how do you unload if your horse if they are a little upset i.e. frontwards or backwards, take the breast bar or breach bar down before letting down the front/rear ramp or let down the ramp then undo the breast or breach bar. Thanks

 

[pec]

Like most th ings there is no definitive correct answer. We have a 505 and unless we are transporting two horses (partition) or mare and foal (nothing) we always use breast bars. As you have highlighted there are two ways of doing it, each with pros and cons.
Doing ramp first means there is plenty of room to get rid of the bar which is on the clumsy side but the horse may see daylight and make a bid for it!
Doing the ramp second means the horse can't make a bid for it but you have to manouvre the bar in the trailer, not impossible, you could lie it down along the side of the trailer inside, if you are on your own you then have to push the ramp down from the inside.
We always do ramp down first the I stand in front of the horse while I pass the bar to somebody else. We use this method for welsh cob stallions, mares and youngstock, all of which can be stroppy but it seems to work for us.
Incidentally we do find travelling with double breast bars by far the least stressful for the horses.

 

[Clippy]

I bet your mare will travel a lot better without the partition, most fussy travellers like more room. I always let the front ramp down first then move the breastbar. It's not easy on your own but there is a nack to it so have a little practice a few times

 

[Happy Hunter]

My horse is 100% happier with no partition!

Getting out will be down to preference I should imagine.


We usually reverse out. (if on my own) I undo the clips on the ramp first then just push it down myself from inside. Then mare politely reverses out. Usually as soon as her head is out we stop for a look around and perhaps a whinnie!
If i have helper I shout 'i'm ready now!'

We found in our Rice trailer the whole, bar manovre and front ramp timing thing a little stressfull!