Travelling horses in a 3.5 lorry

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EmmaMcCahon

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My wee horse travels brilliant in a horse box or a bigger lorry.

I am looking to purchase a 3.5 but they are all read facing has anyone had any issues with good travellers in these ?
 
There is research showing that horses generally travel better backwards. I have had a number of them and have never had an issue. If they haven't seen one before it can take a little training to show them where you expect them to go - up the ramp, positioned towards the front of the vehicle, so that they have space to turn 90 degrees to face backwards. It can take a little time for them to learn it but once they get it, they are generally fine.

Most of these apart from Equitrek have ramps on the nearside of the vehicle, so it's best to lead with the horse on your left and turn them around you, so practise leading generally with the horse on this side if you don't normally.
 
If you can find one with the ramp on the drivers side, preferably not an Equitrek as they have a poor reputation for build quality, then the horses are loading much as they would in a herringbone lorry. ie up ramp and turn left. There are plenty made in that way.
 
sport horse said:
If you can find one with the ramp on the drivers side, preferably not an Equitrek as they have a poor reputation for build quality, then the horses are loading much as they would in a herringbone lorry. ie up ramp and turn left. There are plenty made in that way.
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I'm not sure of which other brands have the ramp on the driver's side. Personally I prefer a nearside ramp because, if you broke down and had to unload by the side of the road, they are on the pavement side. I think it's better to train the horse to load from this side for this benefit!
 
Mine have all travelled well in 3.5ts. My cob doesn't like being restricted in life, so he travels loose and he tends to face the "correct" way planting his bum behind the driver and his head slightly towards passenger side, so very slight herringbone. He rarely turns the other way, even though he can.
 
I'm another who has never had problems with horses travelling rear facing and I also prefer the ramp not to be on the drivers side as I always travel the horse behind the driver because of cambers on the road and wouldn't want the horse leaning on the ramp or having to unload in to the middle of a road.

Agree with the suggestion to hire one for a day and see how your horse finds it :)
 
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