Travelling horses in wind

[canteron]

Do you and what is your limit.

I was hoping to take my horse out to dressage for the first time at the weekend but the wind is predicted 50mph. It is meant to be confidence building for both of us - but I am thinking it may be the opposite?

It is a trailer not a horse box. Am I being pathetic - or wise?

 

[cauda equina]

Wise!
There is always another day

It's not just the travelling, it's unloading at the venue with the ramp trying to get away from you, mounting block flying away just as you're trying to get on, all of that

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Wise! What is the point of putting yourself, your horse and other road users at risk for the sake of going to a dressage comp. If it was a vet visit in an emergency, that would be different.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

I have a 3.5t box and there's no way I'd travel mine in 40mph plus. Better to be safe and there is always another day

 

[Littlebear]

I wouldn’t personally do it but my dad who’s a lorry driver did drive mine on the m25 a while ago in those sorts of winds with no issue. There is a big difference in him driving compared to me though and I would not cope with it.

 

[Fransurrey]

No way would I be transporting anything in those winds. A lot of trees and other structures will be weak from Ciara and will break completely in the next storm.

 

[McFluff]

Wise. I was in that predicament two weeks ago and I withdrew (lost entry fees as show went ahead). The winds were 30mph, gusting to 45mph. I was worried about giving my horse a poor experience, him arriving at the venue already tense/stressed and the risk of being battered when lorries passed us. And I have a heavy trailer, and tow with a Defender! In my experience confidence and trust can be lost in seconds, so just not worth the risk.

 

[splashgirl45]

wise, i would never risk it even with a horsebox, but definitely not with a trailer..

 

[limestonelil]

Exceedingly wise I would say,especially as it's meant to be a confidence builder of an outing.

 

[Mrs G]

Ive just cancelled a trip I was due to make today. Ive only started travelling my horse regularly this year and we are both getting much less stressed at the process so I dont want to risk spoiling that; never mind what else could happen!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

If I cannot safely open and close every door of my 3.5 then I don't go. Always another day.

I've dragged big trailers from big lorries and little ones in the past (hgv 1, retired) and discretion is the call in windy conditions.

 

[OldNag]

Wise. In winds like these I just don't tow. Many people do, and get away with it. But I just wouldn't want to risk it.

 

[Red-1]

I would not go, especially with a trailer.

 

[onemoretime]

The fact that you are asking this question shows you are worried. I most certainly would not travel a horse in this wind. As others have said, there is always another day. Stay safe.

 

[Michen]

I wouldn’t go in a trailer unless an absolute vet emergency. Have driven my 3.5 tonne in that on dual carriageways and it was absolutely fine. Drove slower and accordingly but felt no movement at all.
He is a seasoned, 100% reliable traveller though.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Wise, follow your gut instinct.

 

[irishdraft]

I have towed in 50 mph gusts before with no issues but I was very nervous . I knew the route very well and only one part of it was exposed and it was only a journey of 20 mins and the horse is a very experienced traveller. I think you would be very unlucky for the trailer to blow over i dont think I've ever heard of it but of course there could be debris flying about. I was going to go out at weekend but see 40 mph forcast plus rain so shall probably give it a miss

 

[bouncing_ball]

I think it depends on a number of factors – how big and heavy the vehicle is, how exposed the roads are (I’d go on some roads and not others!), and how exposed the venue is. I would potentially travel and compete in 30-40mph winds, and I have done so without issue. But 5 tonne lorry, experienced horse, safe roads to get to venue. I did need help holding lorry side doors when loading / unloading. That aside it was fine.



But there are other roads e.g. M20 which I would not travel on in high winds, too exposed, not worth the risk of cross winds etc.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Definitely wise!

I’m a confident tower with a stable outfit, and my horses are good travellers. I’m not intending to tow in this wind, which means that I’ve had to postpone a trip to vet clinic for a routine procedure. I’d travel for an emergency, but not otherwise, it’s just not worth it.

ETA I’ve postponed the vet visit to Monday, but looking at the forecast and storm Dennis I may need to postpone it again .

 

[Wheels]

Generally not in gusts above 40mph (unless either v short journey or in an emergency)

 

[luckyoldme]

I never really see or hear of horse trailers going over but in reality I never see them out in the high winds .
In our area we see a lot of caravans go over ..a1 power station and it allways seems daft that they take the risk.

 

[[59668]]

Nope. It's not worth it. It's not just the gusts with a trailer (I tow a 510 with an Isuzu Dmax), it's the debris, the chance of a route becoming blocked, trying to warm up/concentrate/jump with all that wind, and the potential of jumps blowing over etc.
My dressage comp was cancelled last weekend, and looking at the forecast for this weekend it seems unlikely I'll be travelling to my jump clinic, even if it is not cancelled

 

[TotalMadgeness]

I never travel with a trailer in high winds - which can mean cancelling a competition but hey I'd rather me and my babies are safe!

 

[Wheels]

Nope. It's not worth it. It's not just the gusts with a trailer (I tow a 510 with an Isuzu Dmax), it's the debris, the chance of a route becoming blocked, trying to warm up/concentrate/jump with all that wind, and the potential of jumps blowing over etc.
My dressage comp was cancelled last weekend, and looking at the forecast for this weekend it seems unlikely I'll be travelling to my jump clinic, even if it is not cancelled

My dressage comp was postponed to this coming saturday but looks like Dennis may have other ideas. I doubt they will postpone again

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I've just cancelled my outing on Saturday. Very local but I just don't want to risk it. Most disappointing but the other person I was going with entirely agrees and she's a much more confident and experienced tow-er than me.

 

[holeymoley]

I towed on Monday. I wasn't planning on as the morning was very windy however it did settle to being reasonable and no gusts. At no point did I feel unsafe. If I did it just wouldn't have happened as I wouldn't risk mine anyone else's or my horse's life for it. Wind had gone down to 15mph and there were no exposed areas on the route.

 

[doodle]

I’m another one who wouldn’t. The only time I travelled in bad weather was an emergency trip to vets with soli. It was blizzarding and the longest journey of my life even with vet sat behind us the whole way and soli being sedated.

 

[yhanni]

Not entirely horse connected but my OH is an HGV driver who regularly makes trips to Felixstowe from the W Midlands and last night a stack of 35 containers blew over in the docks!!! Luckily, no-one was hurt but it made my blood run cold when he told me!

 

[rara007]

If it’s for ‘fun’, why take the risk. My horse is very precious! As is my lorry

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Do you and what is your limit.

I was hoping to take my horse out to dressage for the first time at the weekend but the wind is predicted 50mph. It is meant to be confidence building for both of us - but I am thinking it may be the opposite?
It is a trailer not a horse box. Am I being pathetic - or wise?

Wise. Having had a trailer accident, I personally would not tow or drive my 7.5 box in the wind. Just not worth it, you only need one truck to side swipe with their passing truck ............................. There is a whole summer season to go out, that would be my feelings. Why take the risk................