Travelling in a 3.5 to horsebox

[Emma_1994]

Hi everyone,

I have been thinking for quite some time about buying a 3.5ton Horsebox. Currently in a trailer and would like to upgrade. I've done all my research and worked out logistics/costs and everything and it's definitely a better option for me.

However, my biggest question is how do you all fine your horses load/travel in a horsebox compared to a trailer? Is it more stable for them and more comfortable? Have you ever gone in the back of both and is there much difference? I always find the trailer is quite bouncy when I've been in the back just up the driveway.

Any advice on this much appreciated!
Thank you

 

[Squeak]

Horses seem to travel well in them but if your horse hasn't been in one before, it could well be worth hiring one to try out before buying one.

Fwiw mine have *touchwood* travelled well in them.

 

[Emma_1994]

Horses seem to travel well in them but if your horse hasn't been in one before, it could well be worth hiring one to try out before buying one.

Fwiw mine have *touchwood* travelled well in them.

Thank you very much. I did think about hiring just to see how they would be. I have one who has been a slightly tricky loader(so much better now) and gets a little nervous going out.

 

[Wizpop]

I’ve got a 3.5 ton and have travelled quite a few horses in it as well as my own. All have travelled well ( rear facing- bum to front of box). I find mine very easy to drive. Had never driven one or anything similar, and my first trip was bringing it home from Lincolnshire to Cumbria! Drives very smoothly, like a car. I had a trailer before and wouldn’t go back to one again now.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve never towed but have travelled lots of horses in my little old 3.5 and they have all travelled well.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

B Fuzzy had only ever travelled forward in a trailer before I got her, plus once in a Gillies box to come to me.
It took about 5 or 6 trips in my 3.5 before she completely stopped sitting on her tail for the entire trip. Never a problem since.

 

[SEL]

I like driving mine - more so than a trailer.

One travels well in it, the other is taking his time to learn to balance and is leaning on the outside wall which worries me.

 

[Emma_1994]

I’ve got a 3.5 ton and have travelled quite a few horses in it as well as my own. All have travelled well ( rear facing- bum to front of box). I find mine very easy to drive. Had never driven one or anything similar, and my first trip was bringing it home from Lincolnshire to Cumbria! Drives very smoothly, like a car. I had a trailer before and wouldn’t go back to one again now.

Thank you l, this is very positive! Towing is definitely not my favourite thing so I'd much prefer something more comfortable to drive

 

[Emma_1994]

I like driving mine - more so than a trailer.

One travels well in it, the other is taking his time to learn to balance and is leaning on the outside wall which worries me.

That's interesting, I wonder why. I was under the impression that a box is more stable and also rear facing is more comfortable for them but I guess it depends on each individual

 

[mavandkaz]

I like driving mine - more so than a trailer.

One travels well in it, the other is taking his time to learn to balance and is leaning on the outside wall which worries me.

My cob also leaned on the outside wall. I think its just taken her a while to find her balance. She doesn't do it hardly at all now, but do find she tends to do it if she hasn't been out for a while, if we go out regularly shes much better.

 

[TreeDog]

I struggled getting my horse to load into mine until I figured out he wants to get in facing forwards then turn around on the box. He doesn't love it though and will dig at the floor when stationary so I try get going straight away once loaded and don't leave him on the box once arrived at our destination. He won't eat hay when on the box so I think he is anxious when travelling. He was better in a friend's trailer, I think he prefers facing forwards. I'd hoped he'd get better in time but hasn't much, though we only travel a handful of times a year, maybe if we were out every week he'd get more comfortable.
My baby mini cob travelled fine a couple times, then once after a break reared and looked a bit stressed, but since then has been fine so don't know what was wrong that one occasion!

 

[Emma_1994]

I struggled getting my horse to load into mine until I figured out he wants to get in facing forwards then turn around on the box. He doesn't love it though and will dig at the floor when stationary so I try get going straight away once loaded and don't leave him on the box once arrived at our destination. He won't eat hay when on the box so I think he is anxious when travelling. He was better in a friend's trailer, I think he prefers facing forwards. I'd hoped he'd get better in time but hasn't much, though we only travel a handful of times a year, maybe if we were out every week he'd get more comfortable.
My baby mini cob travelled fine a couple times, then once after a break reared and looked a bit stressed, but since then has been fine so don't know what was wrong that one occasion!

That's very interesting, I wonder if it is just different for him facing backwards if he was used to going forward? I guess the more they do something the easier it gets. Thank you for your experience though, it definitely all helps to get different opinions.

 

[Emma_1994]

I have seen a box I really like but my only concern is that it has a 5ft high breast bar and I'm worried it's too high for my 15hh horse. I don't want him reaching up and over the whole journey. The length is quite long so if he was standing further back would this work? He'd be effectively facing the breast bar rather than hanging his head over.

I'm sure most boxes I've seen have slightly lower breast bars.

TIA

 

[Squeak]

That does sound a bit odd. Is there a full wall between the living and the breast bar?

 

[Emma_1994]

That does sound a bit odd. Is there a full wall between the living and the breast bar?

That's what I thought. No so the breast bar is just the partition between the horse and grooms area. I'll try and get a photo

 

[Emma_1994]

 

[Squeak]

Hmm he probably could still get his head over it ok, unless he is small? People do use lorries with those half walls but there really have been a lot of horror stories of horses getting trapped by trying to jump over them. If you like the box you could get the half wall converted but obviously that would be an extra cost. You might have done some research and decided you think your horse will be ok but if not, it's worth having a look in to it.

 

[Emma_1994]

Hmm he probably could still get his head over it ok, unless he is small? People do use lorries with those half walls but there really have been a lot of horror stories of horses getting trapped by trying to jump over them. If you like the box you could get the half wall converted but obviously that would be an extra cost. You might have done some research and decided you think your horse will be ok but if not, it's worth having a look in to it.

I did wonder if he'd be ok, I tried to measure 5ft on him and it's around about his jowel height. I have seen some of the horror stories so I think having a high partition is much better for them, particularly the bigger horse I have. I had thought about ringing the company that did the conversation and asking if they could lower it a bit. Perhaps I'll measure my horse again and just check. Thank you!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

The main thing to remember when driving a 3.5 ton box is that you must not decelerate or brake in bends & corners. Slow down before the bend & then get the gear for the speed you've decided on & then use your accelerator to go round the bend. I'm not saying accelerate but maintain some drive through your wheels. You will find the van will sit down on the road well & you'll go round the corner/bend under better control. Both you & your horse will travel smoother & more comfortable. This is nothing new, the Police first responders/traffic cars etc all use this method to negotiate a bend/corner smoothly & quickly.

 

[mavandkaz]

That is very similar to my 3.5t with the high partition. My 14.3 cob travelled fine - sometimes she would stand further back so her nose was in the horse area. Other times she would have her head over it to eat her hay, and there was a couple of inches between the partition and her jowles.
I liked the fact it was so high as then was very off putting for any horse tempted to rear up over it. Not that either of mine would.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I loved my 3.5 ton lorry went everywhere in it often on my own as well, I had an old Renault Master coach build it was really well made all the horses travelled lovely in it.

 

[Emma_1994]

That is very similar to my 3.5t with the high partition. My 14.3 cob travelled fine - sometimes she would stand further back so her nose was in the horse area. Other times she would have her head over it to eat her hay, and there was a couple of inches between the partition and her jowles.
I liked the fact it was so high as then was very off putting for any horse tempted to rear up over it. Not that either of mine would.

That's really helpful thank you. I did wonder if he could travel with his nose in the horse area and if that would be ok. But I guess it is if your horse travelled like that. That's the thing, it's great it's high to avoid any issues if they try to get over. I don't think mine would but you never know. They are both very quiet travellers in the trailer.

 

[Emma_1994]

I loved my 3.5 ton lorry went everywhere in it often on my own as well, I had an old Renault Master coach build it was really well made all the horses travelled lovely in it.

Thank you, that's really good to know! I'd love to be able to go on my own but always take someone with me mostly because of parking/turning in the trailer.