Horsebox drama

[fallenangel123]

We went to Belton horse trials today and were by the collecting ring watching people working in. Suddenly by the ringside one of the 3.5T lorrys started bouncing and swaying with the sound of thrashing about inside. One of the people with it ran to the back and opened the grooms door to find a head sticking out! A few seconds of thrashing brought the rest of the horse over the breast bar and out of the door!! The horse then calmly walked away and was quickly caught.

Probably one of the most scary things I've seen in a long while! Goodness knows how it fit out of the door? If this was you I hope the horse was ok.

Is it my imagination or does this seem to be happening a lot since the smaller boxes became popular?

 

[Tinypony]

Lucky the horse got out! Very scarey.
I don't think it's particularly happening a lot, I think it's a case of bad news travelling fast. Think of the 1,000's of journeys similar little boxes are making every day with no incident.
I've known horses to go over breast bars in trailers, and front-facing lorries. Unfortunately, when some horses get worried they go "up". The problem with the small rear-facing lorries can be avoided by putting up grills and other solutions.

 

[Louby]

Our local transporter got rid of his 'open' 3.5t and replaced it with one with a solid wall in front of the horse as he had had problems with horses going up and trying to get over the breast bar. I think the window in the door is the problem. They can see a way out and go for it. I often wonder why we dont hear of similar experiences in the Equitrek as its the same concept but I dont think Ive ever read of horses going over the breast bar in them .
He also said hes had problems in 7.5t herringbone, where there is a gap between the partition and the wall, under the head guard. Ive seen horses looking under this to see out, my horse included in my last lorry which had the same type of partition.

 

[RuthnMeg]

Bad news does travel fast, and I think if you read into most things with horses, accidents will and do happen. I like the idea of rear facing 3.5t having a grille, I think all should be fitted with this as standard.
It wouldn't put me off buying one of these neat little boxes, and it is a god send to those of us who don't have a trailer or 7.5t + lorry licence.

 

[fallenangel123]

I definitely think a grille is the answer, I would certainly use one after seeing this today!!

Still can't believe a full size horse fit through the grooms door though!! He seemed fairly pleased with himself once he was out, if this is normal sort of behaviour I dread to think what he does at home?!