Mangonel
New User
Hi everyone! I'm in Australia, and we have had the Cheval Liberte floats here for a few years now, although I only discovered them recently. I saw 2 CL's at a training day recently and was really impressed at what I saw, but need to dig much deeper.
We have many reputable horse float/trailer manufacturers here but as I live very close to the sea, I am inclined to not get a traditional steel trailer next time. The trouble in Australia now is that many companies are importing the body of the floats from China and made of Chinese steel, which is (rightly or wrongly, I'm not certain) not nearly as well regarded as Australian made steel. It's becoming hard to know for certain where and what a new float here is really made of and where it came from.
What do people think of the Cheval Libertes these days in the UK/Europe, and how do they go aging, after a few years? If I buy a new float, I really want it to last. I read that they are now made in Poland, which seems to be viewed with some suspicion along the lines of how Chinese-made are viewed here - am I reading that right?
My other query about them is with regard to the windows. What I call "the European look", with no large front window, but 2 small windows to the side, is a bit alien to us over here. How do you find horses travel with these windows with various makes you have over there? As horses see well to the side anyway, do you find they actually enjoy using the windows set up like this?
Any feedback much appreciated...
We have many reputable horse float/trailer manufacturers here but as I live very close to the sea, I am inclined to not get a traditional steel trailer next time. The trouble in Australia now is that many companies are importing the body of the floats from China and made of Chinese steel, which is (rightly or wrongly, I'm not certain) not nearly as well regarded as Australian made steel. It's becoming hard to know for certain where and what a new float here is really made of and where it came from.
What do people think of the Cheval Libertes these days in the UK/Europe, and how do they go aging, after a few years? If I buy a new float, I really want it to last. I read that they are now made in Poland, which seems to be viewed with some suspicion along the lines of how Chinese-made are viewed here - am I reading that right?
My other query about them is with regard to the windows. What I call "the European look", with no large front window, but 2 small windows to the side, is a bit alien to us over here. How do you find horses travel with these windows with various makes you have over there? As horses see well to the side anyway, do you find they actually enjoy using the windows set up like this?
Any feedback much appreciated...