Travelling 'loose' in a horsebox

Paint Me Proud

Paint Me Proud

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I have a 3.5t horsebox, old style with cab on front and panelled wooden box on the back.
Basically I'm only of small stature and am finding the rear ramp nerve racking to open and close.
The side ramp however i find okay.

I was looking at it today and though if i removed the partition i would be able to walk my boy up the side ramp and into the box, then to unload could bring him back out that way.

So basically i was wondering - would a horse cope with being tethered in a box without being in a 'stall' etc.

Do they use the partitions to help them stand still or would it be okay without it?

(please no harsh comments if you think it's a bad idea, be civil in your posts and give me your opinion sanely)
 
I travel mine in a 3.5t with the centre partition removed, like what I think you are proposing to do. I only have a side ramp. I cross-tie him in it (YM's suggestion). He seems to travel as well like this as before, and he's definitely happier about going in and out of the box.
 
Hi!!

I have an old little horsebox to, but ours only has a back ramp and P was not keen on backing out.

So firstly Dad took out the partition all together (there is enough room to turn him around in there, but not enough to travel him herringbone) but he really didn't cope without the partition.

So he spent an afternoon and after a couple of trips to the DIY shop I now have a custom designed super duper partition that sits against the side of the wall (thus leaving the entire lorry to turn in) when I am loading/ unloading/ tacking up (its about the same size as a stable in there so friends are jealous of how easy it is manouevre in there) and when we are travelling it clicks back into place in the middle.

(just another idea if you are struggling)
 
I have a 3.5t and have removed the centre partition. My 16.3 mare travels in it backwards with just a tie up to the ring on one side at the back of the box and has always been fine. I have a cam and she tends to travel diagonally, which I have heard is their optimum travel position, but it may be just mine!

The 3.5t I have only has a side ramp though, and a partition at the back that is nearly 5ft high between the horse and the changing / sitting section at the back of the box.
 
Our first horse (long time ago) was delivered to us 'loose' in what looked almost like a furniture van. He was just tied with a headcollar and leadrope and had travelled herringbone-style. He had travelled at least twice every year for most of his life between Bradford and Blackpool. He was completely bombproof about everything we ever met, except a horsebox with the ramp down, when it was parked on the road outside a local farm. He was absolutely determined he wasn't getting into one of those again!
Make of that what you will!. lol!
 
Most 3.5t Ive seen only have a side ramp and the horse faces forwards or backwards. Im presuming if you used to load from a rear ramp, your box is set up to travel forwards. My only worry travelling loose would be if your wagon is high off the ground, (the newer 3.5t seem to have a low centre of gravity), then for stability reasons you wouldnt want your horse moving arround too much. What spookypony suggests seems like a good idea.
 
I just bought an IDXISH gelding and he was delivered in a massive cattle lorry! It must have been the size of 2 or 3 stables with just a haynet tied to the side he stood quite happily all the way to my house. (:
 
Both of mine prefer it - Both Opt to travel backwards and at a diagonal across the box, parking their backside in the corner.

I've noticed that when balancing both spread their front legs further than a normal partition would allow. Both are calm and seem alot happier travelling this way - the older one used to be a nightmare (the youngster has'nt known any different)

I do tie to one point though to stop spinning about on arrival at shows when they realise where they are :) (mines a 7.5 though)
 
Ours all prefer travelling "loose" if they get the choice and we normally use Ifor Williams livestock trailers for youngstock to allow this. Too many young horses jump the bar in partitioned trailers.
It may not be legal however but then maybe the law is wrong ;-)
 
It is perfectly fine and legal to travel a horse loose in a horse box.

Horses can actually choose where to position themselves. Partitions are only designed to keep horses separate from each other. You just need to drive sympathetically.

Good luck
 
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