What size horse can you travel in a 3.5 lorry?

[Marigold4]

I'm selling my Theault 3.5 lorry on a Renault Master chassis and I'm getting a lot of questions on what size horse it can carry. It has solid doors instead of breastbars with a grill above and a U-shaped hole for horse's head. Length of horse travelling area is 2020 mm and width is 1880 mm. Height is 7ft plus. The partition moves right across so a horse could be carried diagonally or loose. I've been saying 16 hh max even though payload would go bigger as I think it would not be long enough for anything bigger. So I've put off some buyers. Am I right or am I being a bit "precious" about the size? I phoned previous owner who was travelled racehorses and said he would put up to 17 hh in it. Any thoughts anyone? Am I losing buyers for no good reason?

 

[Sealine]

It may help to compare the measurements to an Ifor Williams 511 which is suitable for carrying 2 x 17.2hh http://www.horsetrailersales.co.uk/NewIforHB511.asp

 

[sportsmansB]

i would do as above and compare the measurements to something which has stipulated a size of horse.
I have travelled really big horses in 3.5t and found that they have loads of space (not the little van type ones, the square ones)

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

The payload was key for me although one I viewed I had to rule out because height from floor to roof was just 2m.

If you have a full living and your payload is below 1t then that will be sufficient for one horse but you'd struggle to fit two, driver, fuel, water, tack and hay with less than 1.3t.

Having said that, all of our 3.5t boxes are immediately uprated to over 4t once you are in the EU.

 

[Palindrome]

IMO you just need to state internal dimensions and it's up to the buyer to decide what height they can carry in it.

Our local (non UK) regulations says size of horse + 2'4", it seems a good guideline overall.

 

[Marigold4]

Thanks. That's a good idea. Mine is one of the "square" ones with 7ft headroom, not a van, so maybe it would be OK

 

[RHM]

Mine fits my 16.1 chunky ISH in with loads of room. Could definitely fit something taller in just maybe not longer!

 

[Red-1]

For 7' headroom, I would stick to 15.2hh.

Mine is 8' headroom, on a Renault Master, did you measure yours as 7' seems quite low?

I know we had a 7'6 height big box and anything over 16hh could find it restrictive on the ears.

If in doubt, I would agree to just state the measurements and weight and allow buyers to decide if it suite their requirements.

 

[Marigold4]

The payload was key for me although one I viewed I had to rule out because height from floor to roof was just 2m.

If you have a full living and your payload is below 1t then that will be sufficient for one horse but you'd struggle to fit two, driver, fuel, water, tack and hay with less than 1.3t.

Having said that, all of our 3.5t boxes are immediately uprated to over 4t once you are in the EU.

I think no 3.5 would have enough payload for 2 horses.

 

[Marigold4]

For 7' headroom, I would stick to 15.2hh.

Mine is 8' headroom, on a Renault Master, did you measure yours as 7' seems quite low.

Just measured it and it's 2200 mm so 7'3"

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I think no 3.5 would have enough payload for 2 horses.

Some racing boxes with no living can probably do it if built on one of the lighter chassis options.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Just measured it and it's 2200 mm so 7'3"

That's what my friends trailer is and she comfortably travels her 18.2hh in it.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

As the post above really, google for the IW Trailer specification & then compare the sizes against your 3.5 ton. You will probably find the Ifor Williams or another manufacturer will give the size of horse it should carry. I would imagine your payload would be around 1100 kg? Take it to a weigh bridge & get a weight certificate it only costs a few pounds. Your Theault 3.5 lorry is one of the best 3.5 ton lorries made, you should make good money & the company may be able to assist in what you need to know. You say your height is 7 feet plus? You need to know exactly because the additional inches will allow you the height for a certain height of horse.

 

[Marigold4]

As the post above really, google for the IW Trailer specification & then compare the sizes against your 3.5 ton. You will probably find the Ifor Williams or another manufacturer will give the size of horse it should carry. I would imagine your payload would be around 1100 kg? Take it to a weigh bridge & get a weight certificate it only costs a few pounds. Your Theault 3.5 lorry is one of the best 3.5 ton lorries made, you should make good money & the company may be able to assist in what you need to know. You say your height is 7 feet plus? You need to know exactly because the additional inches will allow you the height for a certain height of horse.

Thanks for reply and advice. Have taken to weighbridge and it's 960. Height now measured and on advert. I phoned Theault dealer and they say 17 hh is ok but I have reservations - it would have to be a short backed one!

 

[Marigold4]

That's what my friends trailer is and she comfortably travels her 18.2hh in it.

Ok thanks, that's good to know.

 

[Melody Grey]

I think just state dimensions and let the buyer decide- you could open a whole can of worms by stating “travels 17hh” or whatever and it’s subjective- what one person thinks is fine might offend another.

Maybe photographing a horse or known height and rug size in there for reference might give people an idea without you committing to a height of horse?

 

[Polos Mum]

Thanks for reply and advice. Have taken to weighbridge and it's 960. Height now measured and on advert. I phoned Theault dealer and they say 17 hh is ok but I have reservations - it would have to be a short backed one!

My 17.1 chunky Irish type wore a 6.3 rug and could only accommodate a 16.5 inch saddle - he weighed 640kgs on a weigh bridge

When my not that cobby 4 y/o was weighed he was 580 kgs and not yet 15 hh !!

One persons 17 hh is totally different to the next - stick to facts rather than trying to guess what type of horse they are talking about.

 

[Marigold4]

not trying to guess what type of horse they are talking about though - they are specifically asking me will my 17 hh fit in there!

 

[Polos Mum]

not trying to guess what type of horse they are talking about though - they are specifically asking me will my 17 hh fit in there!

Sorry I though they were asking you about their horse not yours - if you're happy to load him/ her in it, then I would do so and take some pictures of your 17hh in there - then they can see how much space he / she has

 

[Marigold4]

Sorry I though they were asking you about their horse not yours - if you're happy to load him/ her in it, then I would do so and take some pictures of your 17hh in there - then they can see how much space he / she has

Sorry - the buyers are asking "will my (buyer's) 17 hh horse fit in). Mine is only 15 hh.

 

[ester]

I’m in the just give them dimensions camp, they can google Ifor sizes if they wish but you aren’t then claiming anything that’s a bit a matter of opinion/type dependent

 

[eggs]

Agree with others, give them the internal dimensions and let them decide for yourself.

If it helps, my friend's lorry is 7'3" high in the horse area and my 17:2 travelled fine in it although I would have preferred an extra few inches of headroom as his ears were often touching the roof and he now travels in a lorry that is 7'10"

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

IMO you just need to state internal dimensions and it's up to the buyer to decide what height they can carry in it.

Our local (non UK) regulations says size of horse + 2'4", it seems a good guideline overall.

I did this it's not really for you decide its up to the buyer to check out the dimensions.

 

[gallopingby]

I think it’s best just to state dimensions and then leave people to decide, otherwise they’ll ask you endless questions whilst it’s for sale. Someone genuine will probably buy it after one quick look leaving everyone else still asking questions!

 

[Louby]

Id compare it to a trailer, like others have said and maybe reply with its the same dimensions as an IW 510 which says up to..... and then its their decision. A 505 is 7'1 I think and is advertised to take up to 16.2 (I think) My old horse was 16.1 and his ears were squidged in a 505 and he wouldnt fit length wise either whereas a friends horse was 16.3 and she travelled her horse all over in her 505.
Or maybe send her a pic of your horse in it, if you have one

 

[Barlow]

I have a coachbuilt 3.5t and I travel my 17.1hh 550kg horse in it no problem at all, so it can be done.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

As others have said, buyer needs to make their own decisions... def just supply measurements.

My 3.5 coachbuilt, I can fit a horse that takes a 6ft 9 rug in one side (took a 16.2, and a 17hh that fitted).
To fit in 7ft 3 rug wearers I had to open the partition wider so could stand at an angle. That covered a 16.3 ID and a 17.2 Selle Francais.

I normally only cart my 14hh in it!

 

[Merry neddy man]

The Ifor spec #2 says it can carry 17:2 and internal height is 7ft 5 inch so your should be good for 17 hands +, Ifor stall length is 6ft 9 inch max yours is 6ft 8 inch so matches theirs. Click on the info on # 2 and copy it to show interest purchases