Horse getting over partition in 3.5t lorry

B

bgray1981

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 September 2012
Messages
119
Visit site
I just wanted to make everyone aware that uses 3.5t lorries/vans to please please please be careful when travelling your horse in them. I had a very nasty experience Tuesday on our way to Hickstead Premier League Dressage Masters Chambionships. We were on the M40 when we watched on the camera in the lorry my horse (16.2hh warmblood) back up and leap forward getting both front legs over the partition into the jockey area. We had to do an emergency stop on the hard shoulder where both my dad and myself struggled to try and get him back but couldn't. Just got 999 on the phone when he took an almighty leap back and managed to get himself back. Luckily into his partition not coming forward into the jockey area or the other side. Amazingly he wasn't injured and the emergency services didn't need to come out. We carried on and got there safely, not knowing whether he was going to be sound or whether I would be able to compete. He was fine and we arrived in plenty of time to let him relax and he was sound so I warmed him up and did our test. We came 19th out of 21 which I was so pleased with considering I could have ended up losing my horse!
I will never be hiring one of those again
 
What a horrible experience, glad he got himself back again, that was very lucky.
I agree that the open jockey areas are risky but there are a number of very good 3.5t builds which are designed to separate off the jockey area and thus prevent this nightmare arising, definitely worth seeking those manufacturers out.
 
It does depend on the design. My 3.5 ton has very high divider between horse and living. My 14.2 it comes halfway up his neck, and just to be safe i have the horse head divider swung across to his side so the gap is only big enough for his head, not a chance of getting over.
 
I know of a 16.3hh who not only went into the jockey area but continued on out of the grooms door, taking the door with it!
 
My trainer's lorry has the living behind the driver's seat and the horse part at the back, so there is nowhere for them to jump.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top