Travelling without breast bars?

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chaps89

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I have finally found a new yard to go to, and am going on Saturday *phew*
Friend has offered to transport us in her trailer, it is 3 miles round the corner (but down a very steep hill at one point). However partition isn't in and she doesn't have full length breech/breast bars. Pony is very good to travel and we can cross tie but I genuinely have no idea how safe it is/isnt to travel like this- I'm presuming not very else they wouldn't be provided normally but thought I would ask the wisdom of hho to confirm!
 
Believe it is illegal and above all unsafe to do so. The breast bar stops the pony going through the front of the trailer in the event of an accident/sudden breaking


Can you not borrow a full breast bar from someone or put the partition in?
 
No not safe, no breast and/or breaching bar will affect the stability of the trailer.

As its only three miles can you not just ride/lead?
 
No absolutely not. It's there to stop them going to the front where the weight is not stable.
 
I wouldn't fancy it, as the pony will have nothing to lean against, not just going down the hill but also during any acceleration/deceleration.

Is there any reason why you can't hack there?
 
Thanks all, as I thought too dangerous so won't do it :) re: hacking, could do but pony out of work at the moment so not ideal tho it is my back up plan if needed. Will see if owner of trailer can put the partition in.
 
Definitely not safe - if you've ever had to emergency brake while towing you will understand why! :O

Also extremely dangerous to unload as horse may come down the ramp on top of you.
 
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A place I worked used to do it all the time to take brood mares and foals about the place .

But why not just put the petition back in it only takes five minutes .
 
i'd just hack and walk in hand for parts if needed. 3 miles is nothing. wouldn't travel without the breast bars. if anything crashes into the side of you the whole structure will just crumble without the bar support.
 
I've known it's been done in unusual or extreme circumstances, but really not ideal. When it has been done before bales of straw has been secured in the front of the trailer to act as some sort of cushioning, should you need to emergency break.

If your horse does travel well and is not one of the 'one off' reasons why perhaps you'd consider it - I'd want either a full length breast bar or the partition in.
 
Secured straw bales is an excellent idea. For a smaller pony, the breastbar is a liability (too high), so this is sometimes necessary, provides a bulkhead, and makes sure they can't get the jockey door open.
Also useful if you're transporting semi-wild ponies, e.g. from the sales, when tying is not an option.
 
3 miles at a walk in hand wouldn't be a problem for an unfit animal as long as it's sound of course. It may be a pain and take longer but you might find he arrives at his new yard in a better frame of mind and nicely exercised!
 
Pony has lyme disease and liver disease and has been off since January as she was struggling to even do the 15 minute block we have, tried her again 3 weeks ago and no improvement, hence why transporting being preferable.
As I said in my OP, I didn't think travelling without bars was an option and once others had confirmed this I did post and say I won't do it, so just to reiterate will not be travelling without breech/breast bars in and will make alternative arrangements :) thanks for the replies tho.
 
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