Help design a future horsebox - university project

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nicolegempton

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I am currently doing my Vehicle Design Dissertation at Coventry University and for my major project I have chosen to research into the future of horse transportation.

I want to discover the safest and least stressful way to transport you and your horse to an event/something else?? And design a specific vehicle (not just a adaption of a luton van) to meet these requirements.
I have owned and ridden horses all my life but since moving here (from New Zealand) for university I have been unable to, but in saying that I have only every transported my horse long distances with a horse transporting company and been groom to friends in there boxes, so would love to learn from your first hand experiences.

My main questions are:
What are you currently using to transport your horses?
How many horses do you transport? (or would you like to transport?)
What type of events are you going to?
(are there specific needs that are event dependent? Such as promotional or club awnings?)
What improvements would you make?
If you could do anything to it what would it need/do/store?

Any information however little or large is very welcome and would be a massive help for my research. Your thoughts will be very warmly received.

Many Thanks Nicole

If it’s easier I can be emailed at nicolegempton@yahoo.co.uk
 
i think that boxes are the wrong way round- the horses should travel in the middle (so not on the back axle) and the living (which in the majority is fairly light weight) at the back.
 
xloopylozzax said:
i think that boxes are the wrong way round- the horses should travel in the middle (so not on the back axle) and the living (which in the majority is fairly light weight) at the back.
Click to expand...

Thats what our smaller box is like! It's the only one I've ever seen like this, and it was custom made for carriage ponies, so that carriage goes where you propose the living is.

What are you currently using to transport your horses?
Several different boxes - too many to list!

How many horses do you transport? (or would you like to transport?)
Between 2 and 8, mostly between 16.2h and 17.2hh

What type of events are you going to?
Dressage

(are there specific needs that are event dependent? Such as promotional or club awnings?)
Large tack lockers, big anough for all of the horses

What improvements would you make?
- Big enough to travel horses 17.2hh plus, I find it very difficult to find boxes (We're looking for a new one at the minute) that I feel comfortable putting the bigger guys in.
- Partitions that can be easily moved an removed by one person, but not so fragile you have to worry about the horses moving them, so some sort of non-jamming mechanism.

If you could do anything to it what would it need/do/store?

Air conditioning would be lovely, as would large enough storage.
 
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What are you currently using to transport your horses?

7.5t Ford Cargo

How many horses do you transport? (or would you like to transport?)
Currently between 2 and 3, between the heights of 16.1hh and a very tall 17hh

What type of events are you going to?
Mainly affiliated Showjumping shows

(are there specific needs that are event dependent? Such as promotional or club awnings?)
Not Really but It would be nice to have Spacious external tack lockers (have internal tack storage atm)

What improvements would you make?
I would have padding on the ceilings for my girraffe like horse, as well as padded partitions that are easier to manouver

If you could do anything to it what would it need/do/store?

Room for horse bedding/ feed/ hay for stay away shows would be fab, CCTV is also a must in my books, Air con in the horse compartment would also be a bonus
 
ah show off :p its the most logical way though!
i also agree with the partitions, would be fairly easy with them on rails with coasters on and keep the pins to lock them in place.


we have a 7.5t daf, show (county level) looking to dabble in dressage/xc/sj and also hunt.

a horse wash and dryer would be very useful.
 
hey hope your having a nice time in the uk and people make you as welcome as the kiwis did for me when I was in NZ working in the mid 90s such a nice country and people.. lorrys first thing is to understand the laws regarding weights and the licence requirements for the market you would sell into then you can design round that, for instance in the uk a normal car licence max total weight is 3500kg and a bare van chassis is about 1800 kg so the rest is body work and payload horses ,feed, tack and pasingers.if you have a older licence you can drive up to 7500kg or on taking a test more.. then trailers 3500kg is the max weight and 2.3 mtrs wide personaly now so many of us have pick ups a euro size gooseneck trailer would seem the best compromise for horse transport as it could have living quarters and a 2 or 3 horse capacity and so far no one has made one for the uk market well not in any great number but Equitrek are aledged to be designing one good luck hope this helps a little...
 
What are you currently using to transport your horses?
Iror Wiliiam horse trailer.

How many horses do you transport? (or would you like to transport?)
Transport 2 but would like to be able to transport at least 3.

What type of events are you going to?
Drag hunting.
(are there specific needs that are event dependent? Such as promotional or club awnings?)
Tack lockers.

What improvements would you make?
If you could do anything to it what would it need/do/store?
I would make it a bit bigger so i can fit 3 horses in there.
 
DEFRA have a technical page for what is required in Horseboxes (yes that is for transporting for reward and hire) but the specs are brilliant-what space requirements are for horses etc.

Do not use Air Con either as it harbours all the bacteria from the nasal airways of the horses travelling.

I would also contact some of the transporters out there as a lot of them know what works and what doesn't.

Good luck-sounds an exciting project
 
To quote perfect11s question about swan- necks, the reason why there has been nothing brought out in Uk is that you would need a Class 1 license (artic) to drive it. Somebody did try to sell them here but fell flat. Nicole if you need any info on transporting horses PM me and i will help you as much as possible. I have been an international horse transporter for 8 years in europe and the lorries we had were 12-18 horses, full a/c for horses...you need it in the heat of summer and no trouble with nasal bacteria, if your horse is sick it shouldn't be travelling any way!! Automatic water (internal), everything for the comfort and safety of the horse.:)
 
My main must have is horse area washability - easy to wash to 'new', thoroughly able to withstand pressure washing without damage to materials lining the area and those beneath, and drainage out. Easy light and strong partitions (carbon fibre?) and somehow get the vehicles centre of gravity lower. For a larger lorry, somehow get a lower floor, maybe. I'm not too bothered about luxury living, but a comfy sitting/basic cooking/eating and functional changing area is a must.

The horses behind the cab idea sounds interesting. That would need a decent bulkhead and likely the loss of a cut-through, so illegal to carry passengers in the living; unless there was a very small tack and seating between the cab and the horse area, then 'living proper' at the back.
 
cj22 said:
To quote perfect11s question about swan- necks, the reason why there has been nothing brought out in Uk is that you would need a Class 1 license (artic) to drive it. Somebody did try to sell them here but fell flat. Nicole if you need any info on transporting horses PM me and i will help you as much as possible. I have been an international horse transporter for 8 years in europe and the lorries we had were 12-18 horses, full a/c for horses...you need it in the heat of summer and no trouble with nasal bacteria, if your horse is sick it shouldn't be travelling any way!! Automatic water (internal), everything for the comfort and safety of the horse.:)
Click to expand...

NO you definatly do not need a class one if its towed by somthing under 3.5 ton and trailer is under 3.5 ton gross ... that is fact.. the same rules that apply to a standard horse or cargo trailer would apply
I spent a lot of time finding out the legality of the american ones as I was going to import one but basicly not uk legal because of weight, width and braking systems not licence requirements..
 
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If I were to design a lorry (whatever size) for my own personal use, I would make sure that it had a double cab, so that myself and my family could come too. I like the idea of horses being in the middle, and not over the axel with easy access to a tack locker and a day living area at the back. I wouldn't need to transport anymore than 2 horses. I have been under the impression that horses travel better facing backwards. A full partition deviding them and a shallow as possible ramp added too.
Iam sure that there are some lorries out there like this, but I don't think i've ever seen them. It would also be a bonus if the price range of all new horse transport came down a little, just to cater for the ''first timers''!! (very unlikely!!)

Currently I have a single ifor, transport 1 horse to local shows, hunter trials and unaffiliated ode's. They are lovely trailers.
 
I think there is a huge gap in the market in the U.K. for gooseneck-type trailers that hitch onto the back of a pickup truck, as they use a lot in the U.S.A. and Canada. I gather that that fixing is a LOT more stable and secure than the ball tow hitches that we use here. I know they can't be as wide here as they are over there, but the Fautras Oblic trailers take horses herringbone-style and are road legal here.
I heard that Equitrek was considering doing this style of hitch but when I emailed them about it recently, they said it wasn't a plan for now.
For me, I would like, in a horsebox or a trailer:
Herringbone for 3 horses (in horsebox, under 7.5 tonnes)
manageable ramp (the half ramp with top doors on the little G.C.Smith 2-horse lorries is wonderfully designed)
Guaranteed non-rot floor - thick plastic, totally sealed against urine, with lightweight EVA foam-rubber matting.
Light and airy inside. lots of windows.
non-rattly ride.
Loads of storage. Can't stress this enough.
storage for at least 4 saddles, to swivel out. simple and makes life so much easier.
decent volume of water storage.
power hose wash off.
living:
storage storage storage
loo
seating
hob
fridge
more storage...
i've had a trailer and 4 lorries now, think i know exactly what works and what doesn't, happy to help if i can.
 
My friends and I were discussing this the other day - we came up with the idea of a Double decker horse box!
Like a double decker bus, but with the horses on the bottom floor and the living upstairs!

What do you think? if you had better suspension on bottom, and have front and back ramp - think it could be done?
 
only_me said:
My friends and I were discussing this the other day - we came up with the idea of a Double decker horse box!
Like a double decker bus, but with the horses on the bottom floor and the living upstairs!

What do you think? if you had better suspension on bottom, and have front and back ramp - think it could be done?
Click to expand...
Yes that would be cool just need to get rid of all the bridges trees and overhead wires first:D
 
there are some boxes already with an upstairs/downstairs (will have a quick google, they were down at windsor WEG- it was the red one with a pop up roof)

suppose its no different to livestock lorries which have 2 floors, just not as aesthetically pleasing...
 
perfect11s said:
Yes that would be cool just need to get rid of all the bridges trees and overhead wires first:D
Click to expand...


Can double deckers go on the motorway? We see a lot of them in the town so I assume they avoid the really low bridges? :p

We did think of that little hitch though - the people I was discussing this with were aged 14-16 :rolleyes:

But since some lorrys are absolutely MASSIVE - why couldnt they have split level? :)
 
Yes, there's already a lorry with a pop-up roof, iirc there's a double 'bedroom' up there and a viewing area (patio!)
didn't see original questions, oops, sorry.
currently using: Ford Cargo 2/3 horse with full living (or will be, when it gets a new engine, argh)
would like to transport 3 legally.
for eventing, primarily.
all other things i'd improve are in my other post.
 
Don't know why car manufacturers have not come up with this yet...(maybe they have and I have never owned a new enough/posh enough car).....but I think an easy read oil/water/tyre pressure indicator would be wonderful, you know, just a little panel with a gaugeue, no lifting bonnet, grubbing about with oily bottles and sticks etc
 
only_me said:
Can double deckers go on the motorway? We see a lot of them in the town so I assume they avoid the really low bridges? :p

We did think of that little hitch though - the people I was discussing this with were aged 14-16 :rolleyes:

But since some lorrys are absolutely MASSIVE - why couldnt they have split level? :)
Click to expand...
yes can go on the motorway max vehicle hight in the uk is 16ft .6in bridges that are less have to have a warning sign... showing how high they are ...
 
My main questions are:
What are you currently using to transport your horses?
Would usually use a trailer - would prefer a horsebox for studyness.

How many horses do you transport? (or would you like to transport?)
1, possibly 2

What type of events are you going to?
Dressage, fun rides.

(are there specific needs that are event dependent? Such as promotional or club awnings?)

Nope. Don't even need any living to be honest, although it would be nice on a cold day to get out of the wind and be able to make a brew.


What improvements would you make?

Definately more study and less likely to snake than a trailer.

Inviting for the horse to load into.

Flexible - Options on how to have horses facing (front/rear or side/side).

Able to be driven on a basic non-HGV licence

If you could do anything to it what would it need/do/store?

Store tack and a rug or two, water, hay, change of human clothes, food etc.

Could it be turned into a stable with a small coral for overnighting? That would be pretty cool!
 
What are you currently using to transport your horses?

7.5t Iveco 75E15 1994

How many horses do you transport? (or would you like to transport?)
Currently 2 but with room for 3 (worry about weight), between the heights of 13.2hh and a very long 16.3hh or stallion or mare and foal

What type of events are you going to?
stud, shows and sometime events that last 2-3 days

(are there specific needs that are event dependent? Such as promotional or club awnings)
Yes, stallion partition/mare and foal, NO tack locker invading the space of the horse area (have a climber) must be able to move partitions with only 1 person, camera so I can see what is going on in the back

What improvements would you make?
make partitions better design between horses, lighter and able to move on own, take out tack locker and invade living space instead - probably change to a side ramp with modular system that has ability to use as a loose box, side facing or rear facing (Olympic used to build them) make the ramp doors (the bits you open out when you load) full height so they can be closed with the ramp down - safety and convenience, plus make them flexible so the can work more as a channel for the full length of the ramp. Make ramp less steep.

If you could do anything to it what would it need/do/store?
Horse water, temperature control for the horse area, area specifically for forage, have seen some horseboxes that have full height tack lockers that can be accessed from both horse area and outside - would be great so you can either get from inside or out. Better way of tying up horse outside - its always on the other side to the tack locker and you see people with steps that jut out dangerously near the horse.
Be easy for mechanic to work on, the nice swivel chairs (captain type in the front, like you get in a motor home) and a cut thru to match

Think thats it, love my box, but would like the above!! Don't have an unlimited budget though!
 
I wondered why there are no goose-neck trailers available here. I remember seeing one for sale a bit ago, but I didn't have a pick-up then. I can imagine that they would be far more stable, like a little horsebox, and you would have the extra storage space.
I don't know if there would really be the market here, as the pick up is very very common in the USA, but mostly used by farmers in the UK.
 
the ability to lower the back of box (like a kneeling bus!) so for nervous horses its not such a climb up and for weak older horses easy on their legs.
radio being able to be played to the horses whilst they are travelling.
 
mollylolly said:
the ability to lower the back of box (like a kneeling bus!) so for nervous horses its not such a climb up and for weak older horses easy on their legs.
radio being able to be played to the horses whilst they are travelling.
Click to expand...
yes that is fairly common mine has air suspension lowers down at the back for loading and gives a nice ride no jaring over pot holes.. it would be easy to fit speakers in the horse area..
 
I work for an insurance company and at the rate they are being knicked a thatcham cat five security device is a must have.

JDx
 
What are you currently using to transport your horses?

-we recently bought a new converted 7.5 ton ford N reg replacing an ifor trailer

How many horses do you transport? (or would you like to transport?)

-1 maybe 2 (2 horse/3 pony lorry)

What type of events are you going to?
(are there specific needs that are event dependent? Such as promotional or club awnings?)

-County/National showing, xc schooling, other shows (local sj/dressage xc), lessons ect

What improvements would you make?
If you could do anything to it what would it need/do/store?

-well ours has no living currently so we need to put that in ours, but I think secure tack lockers/cupboards are necessary with lots of storage as I find stuck for places to put things especially things like hay and bedding for over night shows and I usually have to improvise with using the living until we get there and then putting it in the back.
I also think that the uk are missing the style of trailer/float that is used over in america and australia (I do believe) where large trailers are used and lorries are rarely heard of.

I think from a design point of view also trailers are more economical than lorries, ie no taxing, less fuel consumption (although not always the case). I think you should defo look into the american styled trailers which carry 4/5 horses very comfortably over very long distances (I have a friend in Alabama who recently travelled to the Arabian Canadian Nationals and the horses travelled by trailer obvs with stops) Although the obvious disadvantage from the trailer point of view is the lack of living space, although most american styles are made to fit pick-up trucks with the swan neck styled hitch up (I think thats what they call them) which offers lots of storage space for tack/rugs/hay ect most of them have a special tack storage cupboard styles thingy at the back of the trailer also which allows for easy access to the tack.

-I think if you are going for designing a lorry then you should defo look into camper vans (and caravans) and the layout they adopt to make the most out of every inch of space available you could probably incorporate these concepts into your design.

Sorry I have waffled a great deal, as a design student my self I am very interested in these sort of things and get carried away hahaha!!!

xxxx
 
ORANGEHORSE said:
I wondered why there are no goose-neck trailers available here. I remember seeing one for sale a bit ago, but I didn't have a pick-up then. I can imagine that they would be far more stable, like a little horsebox, and you would have the extra storage space.
I don't know if there would really be the market here, as the pick up is very very common in the USA, but mostly used by farmers in the UK.
Click to expand...
I think they will come soon, Equitrek have proved people want trailers with living quarters and or tack storage and most importantly that you can sell a trailer costing £12000+.. the next step to goosenecks/5 wheel trailers would mean a bigger living area with a huge area for a bed or storage over the neck and you can also have a longer trailer and still have it ballenced as the towing vehicle carrys some of the weight whereas a standard trailer has to balence and not impose more than a hundered or so kg downward on the tow cars towbar for overrun brakes to work, and not unballence the tow car, there are quite a lot of fifthwheel caravans about now and they are fantastic to tow very stable and easy to manouver . I would think a gooseneck horse trailer with a little living and the hitch and brake system for the pick up priced around 15k and with a tidy second hand pick up costing from 5k up it would be very popular and revolutionise horse transport in the uk ...
 
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