Rice Beaufort Treble

[vabars]

Hi, I m new to this forum and need some help please. I have just bought a Rice Trailer which I believe to be a Beaufort Treble. I am trying to get to the serial number albeit lots of paint to get though first. My question is, does anyone know when these were manufactured/ceased so I can at least get a rough idea of its age. The lady I bought this off said she had bought this 30 years ago but she didnt say if that was from new. thank you, Nick

 

[Tiddlypom]

Hi, I don’t think that’s the Treble, it doesn’t look long enough to me.

http://www.horsetrailersales.co.uk/NewRiceBeaufortTreble.asp

Rice Trailers were great in their day . Pity they were discontinued.

 

[vabars]

Ok. The lady I bought it of said it was a treble (and wrote that in the receipt so thats a worry. thank you for responging.

 

[dorsetladette]

Has it still got the partition in?

We have a brand new treble trailer in the very early 90's say about 1992. They are great or carrying 3 smaller ponies, but the balance wasn't quite right with just 2 in. I think the later changed them slightly so when only carrying 2 you moved the breast bar further forward so the horses were further forward also.

 

[OldNag]

It might just be the angle of the photo? It does look like other Trebles I have seen in pics. I am racking my brains - there is a member here who has one who can probably advise but I can't remember who.

 

[vabars]

Hello, Yes we took the partition out yesterday ( couldn't believe how heavy it was ), and the floor which was rotten. It is quite a big trailer albeit needs a lot of work but hoping to restore it back to its natural beauty

 

[vabars]

It might just be the angle of the photo? It does look like other Trebles I have seen in pics. I am racking my brains - there is a member here who has one who can probably advise but I can't remember who.

It might just be the angle of the photo? It does look like other Trebles I have seen in pics. I am racking my brains - there is a member here who has one who can probably advise but I can't remember who.

Thanks I will post a few more photos as I agree the angle probably is not the best

 

[vabars]

Side view and internal prior to partition coming out

 

[dorsetladette]

To me the breast bar hooks/clips on the side of the trailer look like they have been added or changed at a later date which would suggest its one of the earlier models. If my memory serves me right.

 

[vabars]

To me the breast bar hooks/clips on the side of the trailer look like they have been added or changed at a later date which would suggest its one of the earlier models. If my memory serves me right.

To me the breast bar hooks/clips on the side of the trailer look like they have been added or changed at a later date which would suggest its one of the earlier models. If my memory serves me right.

Thank you, all this information is really useful. From looking on the net it seems earlier models were around the 1960's

 

[dorsetladette]

Thank you, all this information is really useful. From looking on the net it seems earlier models were around the 1960's

Sorry I meant the earlier treble trailers. I wouldn't think the 1960's trailers would have the front ramp would they?

 

[vabars]

Sorry I meant the earlier treble trailers. I wouldn't think the 1960's trailers would have the front ramp would they?

I really dont know, I m going to keep looking and try to get the serial number out tomorrow and see if that casts any light

 

[Tiddlypom]

Ah, it does look more like the treble in the other pics, and the partition looks correct too - two horses face forwards like in a conventional trailer, and the partition can open up at the front so that a pony can stand in the front of the trailer facing to the rear. Or you can just use it as a double trailer without opening up the partition.

They always had a front ramp, that’s how they got the pony in (I’m old enough to remember them from Pony Club in the late 60s ).

 

[sport horse]

Defo looks like the treble to me. Yhe front partition splits into a v shape which is where the smaller horse/pony head goes. Two horses load up back ramp and the third goes up the front ramp facing into the V. Someone has a lot of work ahead of them restoring it all!

 

[dorsetladette]

Ah, it does look more like the treble in the other pics, and the partition looks correct too - two horses face forwards like in a conventional trailer, and the partition can open up at the front so that a pony can stand in the front of the trailer facing to the rear. Or you can just use it as a double trailer without opening up the partition.

They always had a front ramp, that’s how they got the pony in (I’m old enough to remember them from Pony Club in the late 60s ).

I didn't realise they were older than 1990ish. I thought the trebles were a new fangled thing when my parents got ours in 92ish - sorry vabars for miss leading you x

 

[holeymoley]

How fascinating, it would be really interesting to see it with the partitions split. I've googled it and seen one with it set for 3- surely the 2 big ones in the conventional way would have their necks at an angle?!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I can’t find a floor diagram of a treble on t’internet, but this is the interior of a Richardson treble, with a similar layout to a Rice.


The two horses enter up the rear ramp as normal. The partition is opened out into the V position allowing the pony to enter via the front ramp and stand facing forwards. Looks like there is a single breast bar for all 3? Don’t remember that level of detail.

ETA A rather fuzzy pic of a smart looking new Treble from the front. Single breast bar with cut outs.

 

[Orangehorse]

Pretty old now, not sure when they stopped making them. Everyone went off the old Rice Trailers as they were so heavy and were looking for lightweight to be towed by a family car - talking around 30 years now and regulations have changed now of course.

One family turned up at a rally with the Rice Treble and OH had towed it in with his tractor! When they were produced I think about the only towing vehicle would have been a Land Rover, and having had a older one, that must have been a pretty scarey journey for the driver if not the horses.

We used to get 3 ponies in a Rice Beaufort, with the smallest across the front.

 

[neddy man]

Caution when renewing the floor the bottom boards should lay front to back in legth (long) and the top boards left to right (short) this gives more strength, bolt the bottom ones to the chassis and bolt or screw the top ones to them use stainless or galvanised fittings. Check the thickness of the 2 boards you are removing and make sure the new ones aren't thicker or your partition wont go in, use Keruing wood easily available via Google.

 

[Errigal1]

Hi were any of the rice Chassis Galvanized ?Thanks

 

[Littlewills]

Hi were any of the rice Chassis Galvanized ?Thanks

yes, most of the later ones were

 

[Frumpoon]

Looks like a Rice Beaufort 60 which was the rolls Royce of its day and one of the biggest they made - for 2 big 17.2 warmbloods

 

[scruffyponies]

It is a treble. The Beaufort 60 was the same size but without the split partition, and (I think) possibly a few extra inches of head height.
You can tell its the older type because it has the bigger wheels. Fantastic trailers.

We used to get 3 ponies in a Rice Beaufort, with the smallest across the front.

Lol. I used to do that with the Shetland in the front, but could also fit 4 under 13hh in sideways. Always fun turning up at events with the comedy tardis trailer.

 

[Errigal1]

yes, most of the later ones were

good to know Thanks

 

[Tiddlypom]

Not sure what make of treble this is, but it does show how when the front partition for the pony is closed up that it makes a good big trailer for two. Plus it made me smile .