How wide is your horse: Why so few 'boxes that take three abreast?

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cp1980

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Here's a random thought:

I was just wondering why there are so few horsebox lorries that take horses, facing either forwards or backwards, three abreast.

A lorry can be 2.5m (8' wide), so divided by three, this leaves about 80cm for each stall.

Which is more important to the horse - having sideways room or lengthways room?
 
I hired transport with loads of other people a few times a couple of years ago and the box (it wasn't the largest) took 3 facing forwards and 2 facing sidewards, it was a hell of a squash though (mine always travelled sideways where there was more room. If you have ponies it's fine but for larger horses itjust doesn't give them much room.
 
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i'd say they need enough room both ways to balenceand not feel claustraphobic.. I think its a case and people not wanting to squidge the horses in
Lou x

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Yes that's what I thought, but 80cm is about the width you get in a double horse trailer...
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Here is a photo of what I mean (courtesy of google images
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Having a look on google, it seems to be a popular layout for German horseboxes (pferdetransporter). And Germans no about horses AND trucks!
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ok, stupid Q but how does the sideways horse get on/off?
I wouldn't want to have an issue with that horse...

Must say was looking at a trailer which took about five ponies today, sideways? Didn't look like a lot of room!
 
Hmm good point. Personally I would prefer them to travel herringbone rather than all slotted in like that.

I have enough room in my trailer for 6 horses, why don't the UK manufacturers just produce US models? Perhaps there is an issue with weight of course, which raises the question......would a 3 horse even be legal to be towed by most British vehicles?
 
My dad who use to own a horse transport business manymoons ago, says that he feels horses travel better facing forwards or backwards, apparently it is a more natural position to allow them to brace them selves and sit into the movements of the lorry. Having said that, I prefer herringbone partitioning!!!!!
 
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I have enough room in my trailer for 6 horses, why don't the UK manufacturers just produce US models? Perhaps there is an issue with weight of course, which raises the question......would a 3 horse even be legal to be towed by most British vehicles?

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Yes - I think it is indeed a question of scale. Most UK trailers will be "bumper pull" rather than using a gooseneck/fifth wheel (articulated). Also British and European 4x4s tend to be smaller than the American "trucks".

Also, the legal width limit for non-HGV trailers in the UK is 2.3m (7ft); which rules out herringbone for anything over 14.2hh I suppose.

I think the UK market will see a move away from large trailers and old lorries, towards lightweight single horse trailers, capable of being towed by estate cars, and to two horse vans. Climate change, fuel costs and the associated political momentum will make it more difficult to own and drive polluting vehicles.
 
It's quite a tight squeeze with three and on big lorries, the ventilation must be suspect, as we have never ever had an irish horse travelled on the nine horse size arrive here without a bug of some sort.
They can stand but can't really move from the ones I've seen, and travelling on them from places like Ireland when they can be stuck on the lorry for hours must be jolly uncomforatble after a few hours.
When ever we have to travel a horse loose they stick their bums behind the driver and choose to travel that way, so I think they prefer backwards or herrongbone.
our lorry is 7' 9", wider than that and it wouldn't get down the lanes!
 
Think you'll find that many of the racehorse transport people have three abreast on their bigger lorries (9s). It's usually 3 abreast facing forwards, 3 facing sideways and the back 3 facing forwards as well with two side ramps and groom doors so you can reach everything. Of course, tb's are finer, well the flat ones at least than your normal half bred so there's not a problem of room for them but you'd be squashing up the others.
You could virtually guarantee that anything travelling loose would be facing backwards if it had the chance.
 
Had a lorry like the Oakley that was 3 forwards in the front & 3 forwads in the back with ramp to each lot (ie front & back) Used it for the hunters & it was fine loads of room also used it for bringing horses over from Ireland in. Never had a problem with being to tight for horses. Though mine that I imported from Ireland did think there was more room infront of him & tried to jump into front bit whilst on ferry & broke his pelvis. After 8mnth box rest re made a full recovery. Kept the lorry for years after that aswell without another glitch.
 
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