Horsebox forward or herringbone which is best?

[Oscar]

Hi,

I'm currently selling my 5.2t rear facing lorry and will be looking to have a new box built on a 7.5t chassis so I can have a small day living. But I'm unsure whether to go for a side ramp with 2 forward facing stalls or go with the standard herringbone set up. I will only ever travel 2 horses max. Which do you prefer and why? I'm not going for rear facing again as it's impossible to tack up the horse in the box.

 

[splashgirl45]

my horse travels much better in the herringbone boxes, never hear anything from her, but in a forward facing box she seems to move around more, never tried rear facing....

 

[Goldenstar]

I have one who was not the best traveller herringbone but is great in my forward facing 6.5 ton it really does depend on the horse .
He was lethal rear facing .

 

[dressage_diva]

My old boy hates rear facing (never tried forward facing) but was always very happy to travel herringbone. I think different horses like different setups. I'd suggest hiring a couple of different boxes before hand and seeing which your horse likes.

 

[Kikke]

Well different one here, my hubbies geldig travels very well rear facing, hates herringbone can't find his balance. Going to try him in a forward facing but we are going to have to sell our lovely 7.5t for a rear facing box ( unless he will behappy forward) I think some larger horses (17hh plus) feel a bit squashed in a herringbone.

 

[gunnergundog]

I think some larger horses (17hh plus) feel a bit squashed in a herringbone.

Totally agree. However, not just 17hh horses - anything with a long frame. So often see horses travelled for hours with their necks concertinaed up and then people wonder why they aren't co-operative in the warm-up/dressage.

Pet hate.

 

[Bernster]

I think I'd prefer rear facing tbh - there have been studies done which have suggested horses find this less stressful. I think herringbone can be a bit small lengthways. Out of interest, do you have an ad for your 5.2t?

 

[Oscar]

Thanks for the replies, I moved away from herringbone set up as my last horse was 18hh and would sit/fall in this set up but travelled perfectly in a friends fed facing lorry.

My next problem is payload as I currently have 2.4t of payload so I have to keep the wish list down for the living, I'm thinking even if I stayed away a cooker would be ott I'd prefer a loo!! I can just pre make food and re heat in a microwave.

 

[mrsh2010]

My lad loves our forward facing lorry. He rushes the turn inside the lorries herringboned.

I have a gas portable stove in our lorry (tin hotdogs are always a winner!), and it has a portaloo that sits up on the shelf - it's never been used!!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Out of interest why is it impossible to tack up rear facing compared to forward facing I would have though both would be equally tricky? One of the main reasons for us changing from a trailer was being able to tack up inside. I thought we needed herringbone and the living in the middle to achieve that with more than one on board so just wondering. Thanks.

 

[Oscar]

When rear facing my horse is in the far partition so about 3inches from the wall, so tacking up from the left side is impossible unless your the size of a piece of spaghetti!!! My horse is he best part of 18hh so getting round him isn't easy in a small space. There's no room to move round them with the partition closed and if I opened the ramp he wouldn't be happy to stand if the partition was open.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Ah I see. Mine is only 14.2 (but probably as wide as most 16.2s) and she will stand with the partition open so perhaps it would be ok. I hadn't thought of the wrong side thing.

 

[Fiona]

Herringbone is far more flexible than either forward or rear facing, as partitions can be angled to suit each horse..

Fiona