Warning- anyone with Ifor Williams horse boxes...

[buzzles]

always make sure you have your allen key in them! I was at an event yesterday and the horse in the trailer beside us got his head stuck under the breast bar

. Thankfully he didn't panic too much but I went in to him (owner wasn't around) and tried to get his head out but he was fairly wedged in and there was huge pressure being put on his neck, there was a big V in the top of his neck and he had bent the bar. Another lady tried to get the bar up but he had bent the pins so they wouldn't come out. Some guy was about to start hammering at the bar with a hammer but this would have freaked the horse out, who was staying surprisingly calm so my mum got the allen key from our box and was able to undo the screws from the outside, taking off the metal plate which the bar sits in. Got it off in no time and then was able to get the horse out. He didn't seem the worse for wear but I'll bet had a sore neck today and a visit from the vet/physio was recommended. Anyway just a quick reminder to everyone to always carry an allen key in the front of the box, it could be invaluable in the case of an emergency, as once the pins bend it can be impossible to get the bars out and the horse could be trapped.

 

[Irishcobs]

I posted about this last year. A youngster next to us at a show got its front end over the bar. They were trying to get it back over when we arrived. We got our allen key out and undid the bar. The vet did realise that you could do that!

 

[now_loves_mares]

Thanks for posting this - I bought mine second hand and didn't get an allen key, will check the toolbox for one that fits. My horse did once get her head under the breast bar. We were loading her and she was being difficult, so my mum had the front end and food. When she finally went in, mum didn't think and ducked under the bar with the food, horses head went under too. Luckily she's not a panicker so it was ok. However I now always undo the pin before I load, just in case! (Of course I put it back in again once she's safely tied up!)

 

[hadfos]

Thanx that is great to know as if my lad got his neck stuck he would have a huge fit,hates the feeling of anything tight around his poll and neck...am always weary of him putting his head down and getting leadrope over his head,puts his head up and has a fit

,have to stand back until he snaps bailer twine

silly boy

 

[apkelly01]

Glad to hear the horse is okay. Super jumped the front bar once in a 505 (she's 16.2!) and got the bar stuck under her chest. It was an old 505 trailer and didn't have the allen key option. I made sure the next trailer had the option!

 

[Maizy]

Thanks for this I shall get an allen key. We had a near miss the first time we loaded my mare. We had the trailer backed into the stables so there was know where to go, and then we took her friend in first and back out down the front ramp. Well she went in fine but then tried to limbo under the bar to be with him. We placed an extra breast bar further down and raised the top one and pack the front with straw bales for the next time and she stayed in. Very useful tip - thanks very much, always good to be prepared.