Horse Trailers

FREESTYLER

FREESTYLER

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well, I may be stuck at home for a long while as the box I normally borrow from my friend is in the "Low Emission Zone" and I think my days of borrowing are over.
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........I was thinking, cost wise ie. plating etc.... whether a trailer would be a good idea or not...I am hesitant because my boy is rather large.17.2hh and he does fidget (paws a little!!) at times when he is in the box and wonder if it is a good idea or not to get a trailer because I am worried as he is a big boy.......anyone any ideas and has a large trailer? Which one etc..
 
It doesnt really matter if he fidgets as it makes no difference in a trailer to a box. A trailer is cheaper and much cheaper to run/maintain as long as you already have a 4x4? I think Ifor Williams do an extra large one for up to 17.2's. I adore my Bateson but not sure how big a horse it'd take.
 
You could go for either a Ifor Williams 510 or a Bateson Ascot.

http://www.bateson-trailers.co.uk/horse.htm
http://www.iwt.co.uk/home.htm

Both of which are designed for large horses, although Ascot says only up to 17hh.

Also, depends on your towing vehicle as the Ifor is 1000kg unladen and the Ascot 925kg. With 650kg ish of horse you would need a Car with 85% kerb weight which is higher than 1650kg - Defender, Disco or Land Cruiser are best bets
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Best thing to do is borrow or hire one to see how he goes.

Personally, I wouldn't want to travel Winnie in a trailer, just because i prefer lorries, not sure if BB's ever put him in one though....?
 
My IW 510 has been a wonderful servant. My old boy was 17h and travelled the length and breadth of the country in it.
We tow with a Disco and have never had any problems towing whatsoever.
It is now about 13 years old and I am debating as to whether I can afford to go down the lorry route or whether to upgrade the trailer.
A lot of my pupils have Equitreks but as they are still newish, there aren't a lot of secondhand ones about and are often as pricey as a decent lorry, although cheaper to run, of course!
 
Thanks everyone I will have a look at those....although I must admit I am "scared" of trailers!!!!! I do have a Disco (albeit old!!) and I do like the Equitreks because one of them has three wheel base...but they are quite pricey... then again I suppose there is no running costs as such like a lorry.....
 
Hiya, another horse I ride, Eric, is 17.3hh and we take him to comps in an Ifor Williams (it's the biggest one they do, sorry can't remember the size) and it fits him perfectly, he actually prefers travelling in that to the lorry and seems to have a little more head room as well, it's a great design - I would really recommend it!
 
That is a big boy!! and he fits in ok? Does he travel alone in this?? I wonder if I could do a "test drive" on a trailer to see if he is ok in one..........
 
My v.long 16.3hh WB travels in a 510 by himself fine - we used a N reg 2.5 diesel Disco to tow it and it copes very well with just him or with two horses
 
Or a Richardson.

I know a shire x TB that was perfectly OK in a Bateson, went miles and miles to events and travelled perfectly. Don't know what model it was.
 
I always have a fear that the box will topple over or not make it up a steep hill (think that stems from my youth when my dad use to use a car with the trailer and we got stuck up a hill and had to take the ponies out!!) Ekk!! Am I being irrational??
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You should speak to my Mum! She used to drive trailers like that when she worked with horses when she was younger and at first insisted she wouldn't tow me if I got a trailer but now she takes me to every show and she doesn't have a problem towing (not keen on reversing still though)
 
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That is a big boy!! and he fits in ok? Does he travel alone in this?? I wonder if I could do a "test drive" on a trailer to see if he is ok in one..........

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Why don't you hire one for a day to try him? They're normally about £30
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Girl at my yard has a 17hh maybe bigger horse and he fits lovely in her richardson. He is also a bit of a fiddler but is fine overall. I would just personally never leave him in it with the front ramp down as I have seen many fidgety types try to jump the breast bar to get out.
I was scared of a trailer too at first but its fine you get used to them.
 
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That is a big boy!! and he fits in ok? Does he travel alone in this?? I wonder if I could do a "test drive" on a trailer to see if he is ok in one..........

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He travels with another horse who is about 16.2. He fits in fine - Eric is a bit of a stress head but is more than happy to walk on to the trailer. I would say pop to our yard and try the trailer but the person who owns it has just moved yards! But I thin Eric's owner is thinking of swapping his lorry for a trailer so I'll let you know
 
Ok, I am quite serious now, so do you think the companies have reps who will come out to us so we could try before we buy??? The Equitrek and Fautras look pretty sturdy.....anyone have one???
 
I've got an Ifor Williams 510 as well, upgraded from a 505 when I bought my 16.3hh boy. There's loads of room and its fab!! Seems higher rather than wider to tow. I'd really recommend them, but can't you borrow one to try? My boy had always been in a lorry before but he's quite happy and loads easily with or without a friend. Do have a Discovery for towing as well and wouldn't be happy with anything lighter, they are big trailers but very light and manoeuvrable.
 
We're in the process of selling our lorry due to the 'London' low emission zone (not that we're even anywhere near london but mr livingston clearly disagrees
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) and we've replaced it with a cheval liberte 3 horse trailer. If you took the partitions out of it and got a full length breast bar you could fit an elephant in it never mind a 17.2
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My boy is 16.3 and my friends horse who is about 17.2/3 both fit in the equitrek...M model hehe and they both travel happily. If I had the L model they could bring a friend each. I love my equitrek ...
 
I used to have a Bateson and I loved it - I think they might do a bigger one now. Because they are white they appear bigger and I think more spacious for the horses.
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You could always hire a trtailer first to see how he travels before committing yourself.
 
Right, thanks everyone, I am on a mission now to find a trailer and hope Mister will travel in one!!!!!! In USA they use mostly trailers anyways dont they??
 
Another trailer to consider is a Pegasus. Think they're a rarity 2nd hand but they'll build to your spec new. A friend has one for 2 big horses that has a kitchen area at the front, and bunk beds pull down from the sides.

It's very sturdy and massive inside, they tow with a LWB Land Rover.
 
I have a IW 510 for my boy and he's a 17hh Irish Draught. There is still loads of room for him to move about in. I was really worried about putting him in a trailer after selling my lorry as thought he would freak out, so I borrowed a friends and took him for a spin round the block and didnt hear a peep out of him. I thin khe prefers it to the lorry as much lower ramp and much more headroom. Cost wise the difference is amazing. It doesnt cost anything for it to sit there, whereas a lorry you have to tax, mot etc etc.

I was worried about driving it to start with but after a few spins with it empty I got the hang of it. I actually prefer towing to driving the lorry now.

As long as you have a vehicle big enough to tow it then you'll be fine up hills. Mine is a Terrano 3 litre TDI and I have no problems, worryingly I often have to remind myself that I am towing as you cant feel it!

Has no one you know got one you can try him in. Or like other people have said try hiring one. GT Towing in Hatfield hire them for the day. I doubt the companies will let you try them before you buy it, but worth a phone call.
 
I have an Equi-Trek 4 star that is for sale at the moment (almost sold) and it has a tri-axle. Never once have I felt it move on the road, even when the huge wagons pass it! My 17hh horse travelled really well in it with room to spare, and it is very light and airy for them too. The other good thing with the Equi-Treks is that you can have the partition where ever you want it if you are just travelling the one!
 
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