Horse doesn't like rear-facing lorries?

[dressage_diva]

I know all of the research suggests that rear facing is the least stressful/most comfortable for horses, but my gelding doesn't seem to like it and I was wondering if anyone might be able to explain why?

Whilst he will load into rear facing lorries he's always a bit hesitant and is quite vocal when travelling in them (I also hear him struggling to keep his balance). I've only ever travelled him in these vehicles when they've been driven by a professional horse transporter (both of whom came highly recommended and drove superbly), so the problem is not a reflection on how he is driven.

However, he loads straight away into my yard's big lorry where he has to travel sideways and stands silently and seems much happier.

I should add I've had him for eleven years and prior to that he had done very little travelling, so I don't know of a bad experience that could have put him off.

I'm currently looking at buying a horsebox, but most that I find in my budget are rear-facing lorries which I'm reluctant to get if he's unhappy in them. So I would really appreciate some ideas why he might not be comfortable travelling backwards?

 

[icestationzebra]

He may find it easier to balance herringbone. A lot of horses like travelling backwards, but not all. It's probably his personal preference, however what size vehicles were they where he was travelling rear facing? He may prefer the ride of a larger vehicle - they are more stable and have a different suspension and braking system. When you say 'big lorry' do you mean HGV?

 

[Bug2007]

Some horses when travelled the same direction all the time or when ever they are travelled then find it very hard to adjust weight and balance when travelled a different way.
My horse used to travel in a trailer forward facing find for years then i burrowed a lorry (sidewards) for a season and he went out every weekend in it, when i tried to put him back in the trailer he just led down, couldn't cope with the change in balance and travelling direction.
Your horse if not as dramatic as mine will get used to travelling in a rear facing lorry the more he travels in it, but be aware if you then travel in something else he might struggle again.
Some horses don't mind what they travel in, some are a little more sensitive than others to the movement.

 

[dressage_diva]

Thanks guys. When I say a 'big lorry' I do indeed mean a HGV, so maybe it is the 'feel' of a larger vehicle - as you said they can offer a smoother ride.

The vehicles he travelled in rear-facing were both Renault Theaults which I know have a very good reputation as smaller horseboxes (unlike Equi-treks).

He's also travelled once foreward in a trailer and was perfectly happy in that.

Do you think it is possible to train a horse to travel happily rear facing? He's admitedly only travelled that way 3 times (although he hasn't travelled that much in a larger lorry - he's mostly been a happy hacker)? I really want to buy a box and my price seems to dictate that a rear-facing box would be the best value, but I don't want to buy one like that and find he never gets happy travelling in it?

 

[icestationzebra]

You won't know until you try it. Of course he may get better, or he may not. It would be an expensive way to find out if you bought one and he never settled. Do you have access to one you could borrow a bit and see how he gets on? What are you looking at buying? A 3.5t?

 

[dressage_diva]

You won't know until you try it. Of course he may get better, or he may not. It would be an expensive way to find out if you bought one and he never settled. Do you have access to one you could borrow a bit and see how he gets on?

Sadly no, all the boxes at my yard are large HGV vehicles with sideways stalls! So the only way to try would be to pay to hire one for several days which would be expensive.

What are you looking at buying? A 3.5t?

Originally I was looking at buying a larger box with min 2 stalls (don't mind if it's a HGV as driver has suitable licence), but I'd prefer something relatively new with low mileage as I want it as a long term investment so don't want to get something too old. My budget's only about £15k though which isn't great for a newish larger lorry.

 

[posie_honey]

can you take the partitions out of the small lorries and let him stand diagonally?

 

[icestationzebra]

Sadly no, all the boxes at my yard are large HGV vehicles with sideways stalls! So the only way to try would be to pay to hire one for several days which would be expensive.


Originally I was looking at buying a larger box with min 2 stalls (don't mind if it's a HGV as driver has suitable licence), but I'd prefer something relatively new with low mileage as I want it as a long term investment so don't want to get something too old. My budget's only about £15k though which isn't great for a newish larger lorry.

Ok - yes if he is already happy in a larger lorry travelling herringbone then this is perhaps the way to go. When I said HGV I meant over 7.5t. I'm guessing you mean you will probably purchase a 7.5t truck - you don't have to get a huge one - something with an 18-20ft body would be more than enough but I guess it depends if you want living? Also depends on what you consider 'new'. I'm afraid that you won't get much for £15K if you want a brand new conversion and if someone offers to do convert a chassis for you for this money then have a very careful look at build quality......

 

[dressage_diva]

Ok - yes if he is already happy in a larger lorry travelling herringbone then this is perhaps the way to go. When I said HGV I meant over 7.5t. I'm guessing you mean you will probably purchase a 7.5t truck - you don't have to get a huge one - something with an 18-20ft body would be more than enough but I guess it depends if you want living? Also depends on what you consider 'new'. I'm afraid that you won't get much for £15K if you want a brand new conversion and if someone offers to do convert a chassis for you for this money then have a very careful look at build quality......

Thanks...am not too fussed about living (just some space to use for dumping/getting changed...can always fit it with things later on). Just don't want a really old box (e.g. more than 10years) that's done loads of miles etc.

 

[dominobrown]

My horse travels well in a trailer but best in a wagon sidways. One of my old instructors did a dissertation on travelling nad found most horses travel best herringbone style.
I have rented a box this year where my horse travelled backwards, he was ok but kicked the living bjesus out of it, naughty pony!

 

[Alibear]

My horse has KS and can't stand travelling facing backwards. It happy front facing or herring bone.

But then I know KS horses that prefer to travel facing backwards.

So since you KNOW your horses doesn't like facing backwards I'd say a forward facing of herring bone lorry is your only option.

If you want a 3.5 tonne van, although most are rear facing some are about that are forwrd facing and if you contact the manufactureres they can make them that way from scratch.

However with your budget I'd say you best bet is a 2nd hand herring bone style lorry.

 

[ecrozier]

My friend bought a rear facing 3.5t for her much travelled gelding - he used to be a sj'er overseas and more recently travelled extensively in her forward facing trailer. He hated it! She persevered for a few months but he never settled to it, so she ended up having to sell and go back to trailer!
I'd look for a herringbone 7.5t, you should get something nice for 15k! I'd say be wary of putting too much emphasis on age/mileage but look at mechanical condition and build quality!

 

[Sammy_46]

My boy hates travelling facing forwards or backwards. Have found the only way with him is to wedge him right in (I know everyone says give them lots of space - tried that and he literally falls over) so he can lean on the partitions properly. He hates to move his feet :/ He also can't bear it if you brake and turn at the same time in any way. It must be very smooth, soft braking followed by very very slow turning at a completely even speed. Thankfully we only have to travel him this way when we don't have access to my friends sideways travelling lorry! phew xx