So am I going to regret this? Horsebox v trailer

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Louby

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I have a lovely horsebox but with losing my boy, then buying an unsuitable horse, then buying another where the first year was errrrr a write off and now we finally get going, I find he isnt the best traveller and the horsebox is becoming an expensive 'luxury' to keep on the road. Im not a fan of trailers but Im seriously considering trying to sell mine and buy an Equitrek Show Treka. I know they dont get the best reviews but I would like somewhere to get changed, have a brew etc and we would never travel that far. My wagon is getting on a bit now and Ive kept it as Ive been told by mechanics, it is great for its age but it standing not doing much isnt doing it any favours.

Firstly if I do try to sell my wagon, what years Equitreks had the axle issue?
Also has anyone done this and regretted it? Took me a long time to find this wagon but for one horse going out occasionally it just doesnt seem feasible.
And lastly has anyone found that a horse that leans on the partitions travelling herringbone and arrives wet through (despite being given lots of room), travelled better backwards. I know about the research on backwards travelling but just wondered if anyone really found it better.
Thanks for reading :)
 
If your horse isn't the best traveller, I would find a way to either borrow or hire the show treka so you can be sure that it won't make things worse for him. Other than that, I can't advise on that particular trailer but I know a friend has one and loves it.
 
have not read all of the article as cant concentrate! but interesting to see that rear facing can cause more issues according to figures.

personally- a lot of horses I know prefer a box to trailer as feels less wobbly. my mare however is much better getting on a trailer as she can walk straight on, where as she struggles to walk up and then turn 90 degrees so you can shut the partition in boxes, unless there is space to give her a wider partition. in my trailer she has the whole double, no middle partition, and much prefers this as she likes to splay her legs to feel more balanced. so this options could help, or use your box but try without a tight partition.
 
Exactly the same as Pippixox.... Ours was a nightmare travelling .... Stomping and stumbling in the trailer...took out the partition so he can splay his legs and never heard a squeak from him since... Now travels perfectly!
 
Following this thread with interest as I am also in the same position- but my boy travels quite well. He does not like to do the turn in the side loading 3.5 ton box though, which is a shame.
 
Thanks for all your replies. I have read lots of the research link (thanks for the link) and it does seem that its pretty much split between front and rear facing trailers.
My horse strangely loads great, he is anxious though when loaded and I watched him on the camera and its like hes leaning against the partition and looking left and right. (I was thinking to maybe cross tie him next time but I dont want to freak him out if he feels restricted in any way). The wagon is side on travelling and its a big area for 3 horses with plenty of room. He has almost half of it, so plenty of room but it has a tack locker in the other half and I dont trust him to travel with that in front of him.

Im thinking of hiring an Equitrek just to see how he is. This is also about the cost of keeping a wagon on the road too but obviously if he only travelled in a wagon then it would stay.
 
I have a show treka. I hate trailers, but this is the only one I would consider as the horses travel backwards and to all purposes to them, it likely seems the same as a rear facing Lorry.
It tows brilliantly and I've never had a horse sweat up in it.
However, I will be going back to a Lorry as I'm not happy towing, nothing to do with the trailer itself, just me.
The insurance on it,by the way, was not dissimilar to my old Lorry one, about £230!
I would second trying before you buy, but I'm lucky that my current horses will all travel in anything!
Just make sure you get a tow vehicle that can cope with the weight of the Equitrek if you're intending to travel 2 at any point. I have a land rover discovery 3 and it's brilliant, doesn't even notice it's pulling anything!
 
Gosh I really thought the insurance would be less than that! We have a Shogun and if I remember rightly it can tow 2.8t so I should be ok with one horse. Im not a fan of travelling horses anyway but I really want to go out and compete so tbh Im not sure how I would feel about a trailer either. If he travelled well I know Id be fine and I do think a lot of it is down to his inexperience. I used to have a trailer and went everywhere but the horse was a fab traveller.
 
I have a show treka M, it was the L that had the axel issue recall, however if you call them with a serial number they will tell you if it's an effected one.
Mine wasn't but did need anew front axel at 7 year old. They also sent the incorrect front axel twice before I got the correct one! So be prepared for rubbish customer service. I do love it though. My daughter and I manage over night stays in it. The insurance is about £140? From what I remember. I drive a Pathfinder with a tow capacity of 3t and carry a horse and pony with ease.
 
I have a front facing trailer and tow with Shogun (SWB). My ISH travels ok on lorry but TB wasn't good travelling herringbone - stands with front feet to close together and too far under him and consequently sways and lurches all over the place! Both travel perfectly on trailer, wouldn't know they were there. Never hear a peep out of them and never arrive sweaty whereas always sweat on lorry. Personally, wouldn't go back to a lorry, trailer much lighter and airier and mine seem to prefer it. I mainly team chase so never any need to sleep over and whilst living would be nice, prefer that boys are happy and arrive un stressed
 
Thanks agsin. I think I remember reading your posts LovesCobs with your axle problems. Wasnt it certain years that had issues. I remember when I looked at them a few years ago the dealer telling me the original ones in his opinion were the best built.
TeamChaser, your TB sounds like mine! Its scary to watch on the camera. I know he hasnt travelled much before I got him and it will have only ever been in a wagon, Sad thing isd he loads like a dream which makes me feel bad really as hes obviously anxious once in, poor boy.
 
I was faced with the choice of keeping my truck or not. I couldnt justify it as things were. I now have an informal share agreement with a young eventing friend,that she pays half the bills and gets free use of the box. It is good for the truck to be used regularly ,and it is great for me to be a welcome team member at events. She takes great care of the truck and is a great driver so it works for us.Edited to add that it has also enabled a promising rider to compete regularly.
 
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