Is trailer high enough?

badgerdog

badgerdog

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I have a Bahill Sportsman trailer which is very similar to the Rice Europa. My 16.2hh has travelled very comfortably in it with no partition and a single breast bar for the past 6 years. I have recently got a 17hh Warmblood and I'm wondering if I can travel him in it as I never had any problems with my old horse. He walks into it and stands ok even when I put the ramps up but I have left the top bit of the front ramp open. I've started the car up and drove a few yards just to see what he'll be like and he was ok at first but he then stamped around a bit so I got him out. When I asked him to walk back in he went in without any hesitation. I'm just nervous that the trailer isn't high enough for him and I don't want to frighten him. I would appreciate anyones opinions.
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Measure the height of it and compare it with the Ifor Williams 510 - if it's the same height then it should be fine. Did the horse previously travel in a trailer or a lorry before you bought him? If he's used to a lorry then he's maybe banging a bit because he's having to balance himself differently. My daughters pony travels like a dream in a lorry but will only travel in a trailer with the partition out and left untied.
 
has he travelled in a trailer much? He may just be trying to find his sea legs!

I'd say you'd want a min of 7 ft internal height for a 17hh though.....and the 510 is about 7'3" or 7'6" (can never remember!)
 
Thanks parkranger, you might be right about the sea legs. The internal height of my trailer is 7ft 1 1/2 inches. His previous owner had a wagon but they said that when they bought him he arrrived in a normal sized Rice trailer and seemed ok.
Scotsmare, I think I'll have a go at getting in the trailer with him and get my partner to drive round the yard and then I'll see what he's really like.
Thanks for the advice.
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The Bateson Deauville & Ascot are 7'02" (2.22mt) tall inside & are advertised as suitable for 17h horses, if that's any good to you.
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Personally I dont think it is high enough. I would want 7'6 head room for over 16.2. I used to have a box with 7' head room and my 16.2 hit her head on it. In fact her ears touched the roof most of the time quite easily. I could have probably got away with 7'3 with her at 16.2 so if you add on another 2 inches to horses height, it gets to 7'5.
 
My 16.1hh wouldnt fit in a 505 thats 7' headheight I think but my friend travels her 16.3 in one no problems. I think I scared my horse and we never left the yard as although he will load in a trailer he will no longer let us put the ramp up without panicking even in a bigger one now. I think it depends on the horse but I'd be tempted to get a bigger one really.
 
Thanks for your opinions. My 16.2 has never looked like banging his head but he's a very laid back character. I'm surprised the Bateson is only 7'2" as if I was to go out and buy one for a 17 hh I would be looking at around 7'6" but it's reassuring to know that it is possible. I'm going to have a few more practices before I think about venturing out. If I think he's too big I'm going to have to stick to shows within hacking distance until I can afford to buy a bigger one.
Oh why didn't I become obsessed with something other than horses which wouldn't commit me to a life of penury!
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