Forward facing lorries?

[spotty_pony2]

Experiences? Been to view one tonight that is forward facing and I’ve never travelled anything forward facing before. Do horses generally travel well? I guess it’s like a trailer come to think of it.

 

[rextherobber]

I find mine much prefer forward facing, as you say, like a trailer. Only time I used a rear facing lorry, horse arrived really stressed and sweaty, and is usually a totally chilled traveller. But it's much harder to find forward facing ones, so clearly I'm in the minority!

 

[spotty_pony2]

I find mine much prefer forward facing, as you say, like a trailer. Only time I used a rear facing lorry, horse arrived really stressed and sweaty, and is usually a totally chilled traveller. But it's much harder to find forward facing ones, so clearly I'm in the minority!

Interesting! Yes, my boy hates rear facing. He prefers herringbone only but this is more for the little spotty mare so she can get out to some competitions. Most probably making an offer tomorrow so hoping it’s accepted.

 

[CJoe]

Experiences? Been to view one tonight that is forward facing and I’ve never travelled anything forward facing before. Do horses generally travel well? I guess it’s like a trailer come to think of it.

we looked for 3 months to find the perfect forward facing 7.5t, my old boy was definitely not right in herringbone and I am convinced it progressed some of his issues causing him to retire. New one hates herringbone, so we bought an amazing 7.5t older lorry but amazing condition, forward facing, fans in back, all the toys etc and all my boys including the 3 years old are super happier going forward!

 

[mavandkaz]

Ive found horses travel better in forward facing compared to rear facing. I had really wanted a forward facing 5-7t but ended up with a rear facing as just couldn't find what I wanted in budget

 

[HufflyPuffly]

All of mine didn't travel well forward facing (trailer), all travel far better rear facing (trailer and box)...

I do think its very individual to the horse and transport though!

 

[spotty_pony2]

well we aren’t having it anyway now as when she sent mot certificate it came back with ‘badly corroded chassis’ on the advisories! that’s a no!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Lucky escape there then!

I’m still generally at the cost of boxes, twenty year old chassis’s advertised for £20k!

 

[spotty_pony2]

Lucky escape there then!

I’m still generally at the cost of boxes, twenty year old chassis’s advertised for £20k!

It was 10k so cheap but that was obviously the catch! It was someone I knew too which was more shocking. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I sold someone a box that was dangerous! She managed to avoid telling us that at the viewing conveniently! We are off to see a herringbone tomorrow.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Fingers crossed for the next then! Can’t trust anyone!

I’m saving to have my own converted so I know it’s ok .

 

[spotty_pony2]

Fingers crossed for the next then! Can’t trust anyone!

I’m saving to have my own converted so I know it’s ok .

oh that’s a good idea! yes hope so, this one is a 7.5 tonne so my old boy might be able to go out a bit too as it’s the only thing he likes to travel in!

 

[Cragrat]

oh that’s a good idea! yes hope so, this one is a 7.5 tonne so my old boy might be able to go out a bit too as it’s the only thing he likes to travel in!

On the subject of not trusting people..... check the payload yourself before you hand over your money. 7.5's can have surprisingly little payload, especially if they have a large and older living area.

 

[spotty_pony2]

On the subject of not trusting people..... check the payload yourself before you hand over your money. 7.5's can have surprisingly little payload, especially if they have a large and older living area.

will do, thank you! what would be a good payload?

 

[AdorableAlice]

will do, thank you! what would be a good payload?

1.6 plus. Go for an ali planked floor if you can.

On the subject of direction of travel I think a lot depends on what the horse has got used to or been exposed to through its life. My old lad had travelled extensively in the UK and on the continent before coming to me. Brilliant traveller, and I assume always on the herringbone. I broke down on the M25 coming out of Hickstead and the rescue truck was a forward facing lorry supplied by Phillip Mitchell the racehorse trainer who also did recovery in the South East. It was a lovely truck but my sensible, seasoned competition horse travelled so badly, it was heart breaking watching him on the camera and it was a long trip back to Worcestershire. He arrived home in a terrible state and I have to assume he had never been on a forward facing lorry. Thankfully he was fine afterwards back on his own truck.

 

[ycbm]

On forward or rear or herringbone, I'm sure there is research on heart rate/ stress level which showed that most horses travel less stressed rear facing. Most doesn't mean all of course.
.

 

[spotty_pony2]

1.6 plus. Go for an ali planked floor if you can.

On the subject of direction of travel I think a lot depends on what the horse has got used to or been exposed to through its life. My old lad had travelled extensively in the UK and on the continent before coming to me. Brilliant traveller, and I assume always on the herringbone. I broke down on the M25 coming out of Hickstead and the rescue truck was a forward facing lorry supplied by Phillip Mitchell the racehorse trainer who also did recovery in the South East. It was a lovely truck but my sensible, seasoned competition horse travelled so badly, it was heart breaking watching him on the camera and it was a long trip back to Worcestershire. He arrived home in a terrible state and I have to assume he had never been on a forward facing lorry. Thankfully he was fine afterwards back on his own truck.

This is a 2.7 so should be ok
My boy has hockey arthritis and I can only assume the shifting of weight from back to front is not comfortable for him as he travels great in a herringbone. This box isn’t really for him as he doesn’t do a lot these days hence looking at different options as my mare will go in anything and stands like a rock but ultimately I do prefer herringbone.

 

[spotty_pony2]

On forward or rear or herringbone, I'm sure there is research on heart rate/ stress level which showed that most horses travel less stressed rear facing. Most doesn't mean all of course.
.

I’ve heard that too and I daresay some love it but from my experiences none of mine have.