Trailer question.

Oberon

Oberon

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Is it ok to travel (in a single trailer) without the rear bar in place?

My horse gets upset about the rear bar (the breast bar at the back of the trailer). When loading today he reversed under it (fortunately it wasn't clipped in place yet) and flipped it across the yard while he descended down the ramp at speed!

Loading calmly and travelling are ongoing training efforts for us, but I wondered if I could safely do away with the bar at least for now?

The front bar is fine.
 
Unfortunately, the breech and breast bars are vital parts of the structural integrity of the trailer when it is loaded and in transit. Lots of people do travel horses without the breech bar being in position, but it is not to be recommended.

ETA This applies to Ifors, I don't know about other makes.
 
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I routinely go without mine and OH (structural engineer) has never told me not to so I don't see why not! I keep meaning to get a full width one made up but I never quite get round to it...

ETS: in lots of trailers it is only a chain across anyway so it isn't structure at all in that case.
 
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Breech bar - that's the name of it :D

It's an IW 403.

Thinking about it, I'm having mine serviced this week by Barlow's. I should just ask them then :)
 
I think it would be madness to travel without. Usually the ramp is only held up with rather small fastenings and the horse's whole weight is against the ramp under acceleration. There have been some terrible accidents where the ramp has given way and the horse has come out of the back of the trailer.
 
Oberon said:
Thinking about it, I'm having mine serviced this week by Barlow's. I should just ask them then :)
Click to expand...
Just make sure that they have hitched your trailer up properly after the service, or do it yourself! Twice now they have left my trailer's break away cable dangling uselessly. I confess that I got a trifle cross with them the second time....
 
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So if he reverses out at speed with a breech bar, what is stopping him doing that without it as you put the ramp up and squashing you!?

Sorry. I wouldn't and wouldn't let anyone in my trailer. Practice out of the trailer with things around his bottom.
 
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