Travelling without breast bar / nothing to put head over.

[Tiddlypom]

I've seen them climb on top of tack lockers which is close I'd imagine. The trailer ones undo from the outside with an allan key because while not every day it's common enough you have to plan for it. That's why I'm really put off one that have a solid half wall for their heads to go over - no way you can take that down when they are stuck over the top. Some really well regarded makes have that which I really don't understand.

Indeed, like this . This design of welded in fixed breast bar should be banned.




I've only hired a stallion box, I don't own one, but all 3 neds (who travelled on separate occasions, not all at once!) travelled very well in it.

 

[Polos Mum]

I wish there was an unlike button !! But yes exactly as per those two examples. I know it doesn't happen everyday but enough for it to need to be planned for.
You'd have to can open the box to get them out and internal damage must be a risk!

Only with a harness is safe is the answer from one who builds these - (see other thread)

Stallion box seems good for seasoned travellers but the video on the other thread shows how much a youngster uses the front to balance in calm driving.

 

[Red-1]

Mine is a stallion box, I accelerate slowly so they don't head butt the back wall.

In front facing boxes, you need a breast bar to balance as sometimes you have to do an emergency stop, or at least brake more quickly than you would wish. But acceleration is under my control.

I have personally witnessed 3 horses go over a breast bar. One I had to lift off backwards in a trailer, one I watched while a farrier bodily lifted it and one who ended up through the window at the front of a trailer, it opened like a sardine can. There was not stopping that one. The one I helped lift off later went over and then through the grooms door, that also opened like a sardine can.

I think fixed breast bars combined with narrow doors should be banned, something the first service has also said. My stallion box has back doors to each partition, then a large back door, so you can offload via the back in an emergency, safely and without damaging either horse or box.

I have also rescued 2 horses off tack lockers. Nasty.

Stallion box all the way for me!

 

[Polos Mum]

I think the advice to try is spot on - look out for the thread about horse box hire in West Yorkshire

Thanks all