Trailer comfort

[Fluffypiglet]

I'm overthinking this I suspect but, I have somewhere local that I could go on a ride but to get there I have to tow up a very long and big hill. Bury Hill near Arundel in West Sussex if anyone knows it. I travel my horse in a single trailer (mare and foal size) which is front facing. He spreads his back legs out and seems to travel well in it. Despite this I feel like I would be being really unfair to expect him to travel up and down this hill! I worry that he will struggle with it. Am I being ridiculous? Would anyone else share my concerns when travelling in hilly terrain? I usually tow short distances quite locally, I'm not the bravest traveller in case that isn't obvious! Thanks ?

 

[Tiddlypom]

You are not being ridiculous at all in thinking ahead re your route.

However, I'd expect the horse to cope fine as long as you have put plenty of shavings down to add grip. Wet rubber matting on its own can be very slippery, which is not what you want.

Plus the proviso that your tow vehicle must be fully up for it. Imagine having to stop and then do a hill start on the hill, would it cope fine?

 

[tda]

Everywhere round here is hilly, so I'm used to it. Would it help if you practiced some hill starts with the empty railer first? I'm sure your horse would be fine, as long as you take it steady

 

[cauda equina]

Is there another way round, possibly longer but less steep?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Everywhere round here is hilly, so I'm used to it. Would it help if you practiced some hill starts with the empty railer first? I'm sure your horse would be fine, as long as you take it steady

You are not far from us, my friend made me laugh when she was talking about leaving comps at Woodnook, saying she imagined them with 'their little faces pressed up against the front' of her trailer. Her horses were 16hh and 17hh. And she was actually always a careful driver.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm in Devon - and there's a good few hills around here!!

I have to have a conversation with Jesus if I'm intending to go up one particular hill - and hope to goodness I don't get behind a blimmin' cyclist on the steep bit!

I would try to find an alternative route if you are worried about a particular hill; I have gone a 20-mile journey instead of a 6-mile one to avoid the particular hill I've mentioned.

No point in stressing either yourself or horse.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

Is there another way round, possibly longer but less steep?

Unfortunately not, it's a main A road up to the top of the South Downs so no other options other than smaller roads that are probably steeper in places. It's not a difficult road, just a much bigger and longer hill than I'm used to and think of him having to lean all that way worries me.

Everywhere round here is hilly, so I'm used to it. Would it help if you practiced some hill starts with the empty railer first? I'm sure your horse would be fine, as long as you take it steady

I can do hill starts as our local competition venue has a lovely slope that you have to wait on whilst the automatic gates open. Definitely will look at an automatic car next time!

Thanks all, I do worry about his comfort but not to the point of buying him his own lorry! I think a test run with the trailer alone would be a good idea so I can reassure myself before trying it with his Lordship on board.

I used to drive a 7.5t lorry without any bother but for some reason I can't get my head around doing these things with a trailer.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Def try it empty, you might be suprised, I find it easier than Duncton or Slindon (but have still done both in the past with big boxes fully loaded). Bury Hill is far better than it was 20+ years ago, with the 2 lanes going up now.

Have you thought about going down the A24 and going right at Findon, cutting across to join the A27 to Arundel? The pull out of Arundel to the top of Bury Hill is pretty straight forward

 

[taraj]

I travel my horse up/down bury hill about once a month in a trailer and we travel the work horses up and down it about 5 times a week to hack out in a 7.5ton and have never had an issue.
I have a lot of trust in my towing vehicle, and just take it steady, but there are certainly worse hills/roads to drive up/down!
Also the uphill side has an overtaking lane which helps.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

Thanks local people!! Hadn't thought about the A24 and across. I think chatting it through on here has helped me realise that it's because I don't really trust the whole trailer concept! For no good reason really but I definitely prefer a lorry. Lottery win is required. I shall try an empty trip with the trailer and decide from there. If it's too scary I'll try the long route. Thanks again.