Opions Please - lorry fittings

[sallyw]

Having had a dreadful accident yesterday where a pony got trapped underneath a partition and had to be cut out (he in unhurt thankfully) I want to know what partitions people think are best. We are fin ishing off a new build lorry at the moment and it has half partitions. Should we fill in the bottom. Is a sheet of hanging rubber best? Has anybody any other ideas or good tips. Are there any other things in a lorry that once you have ahd you would not want to do without again?

[layla]

We had one built this summer, and had CCTV in the horse area (and reversing) and could never be without it

[lolly]

Couldn't you have removable aluminum ones so the are reasonably durable but can be removed easily if a problem occurs. I don't know much about Lorry's as I have a trailor but whilst on a riding holiday we did have a problem where a partition ended up coming loose and trapping a pony this was very heavy and if it had been aluminum or rubber it would have caused less damage. I think CCTV is a good idea too layla. Mind you I am that dippy I could see me watching the tv and not where I was going.

I would have thought as well they do keep the weight down. I am glad youre horse is ok it must have been horrid for you.

[dl]

i always thought thick rubber was the best as he ponies need to spread their legs a little to brace

[oakley fan]

Why dont you copy Oakley horsebox partitions they are exellent never have full partitions that stop a few inches fron floor know a pony that spread her feet to balance and her foot got wedged under partition and she paniced and had to be put down

[observer]

I think the half partitions with heavy rubber wings are the best, they allow the horses to spread and balance, also if you have a horse that kicks, the do less damage to themselves and no splintering wood problem.

I too have had to deal with a horse who went down between two full depth wooden partitions and got wedged, in the end both partitions had to be rebent into shape by a local blacksmith and because of the weight of the horse leaning on them it was a nightmare getting him out! I now only ever use the full wooden partitions when travelling mares and foals.

[girly]

I use a full partition becouse a transporter told me it was much safer. He daid that if a horse wnt down with a hald partition they could get badly injured by the next door horse and even bring that one down as well.

[gem]

dl said:

i always thought thick rubber was the best as he ponies need to spread their legs a little to brace

rubber is fine till it is made slippery from pee or wrong bedding on it.

[christmas is coming]

the best way for a horse to travel is forwards, if your having your box made go for that, all modern boxes are herringbone which makes a horse rock in transport with more possibility for falling / slipping, also with forward facing (pending on size of box and animals) you can get any one off with out unloading the whole lot.

[I think]

gem said:

dl said:

i always thought thick rubber was the best as he ponies need to spread their legs a little to brace

rubber is fine till it is made slippery from pee or wrong bedding on it.

I think the s/he meant thick rubber at the bottom of the partitions, rather than on the floor.

If you've got a horse that likes to spread it's legs a flexible partition is very useful (we've got several who travel much better with these than a full fixed partition) but I can see the safety implications if they were to fall over.

[sallyw]

Thanks for your ideas - please keep them coming. Actually horse who had the accident was interestingly travelling facing forwards. We think he leaned on the partition going round a corner and it moved very slightly ( it could only move about an inch in its fixings) which panicked him. What do people think about flooring?

[anna]

Just a little reminder about weight when making your decision.

I have half rubber partitions and they have been fine.

[racerxia]

Look at the lorries used by the TB studs and racing teams as they transport the financially most valuable animals. They go for full partitions. Driving pals with an Oakley recently swopped the Oakley half partitions to George Smith full partitions. The amount of padding and finish on the fittings looks about as safe as you'll get. They are based in Wiltshire.

[thinknot]

christmas said:

the best way for a horse to travel is forwards, if your having your box made go for that, all modern boxes are herringbone which makes a horse rock in transport with more possibility for falling / slipping, also with forward facing (pending on size of box and animals) you can get any one off with out unloading the whole lot.

how do you work that out if its a rear loader and you have four or more in

[not a fan]

We are yet to have a horse that will travel with a full partition. They always try to spread their legs but it won't let them so they panic. Definitely go for the rubber at the bottom.

Ours are attached top and bottom at the front so if they do weight against then partition should not twist.

Definitely agree with CCtv too and a very careful driver!

[Cherrytop & Spicery Stud]

We have full partions in our lorry and have never had one problem with them.
We have had problem with half partions and Rubber bottoms were ponies have gone underneath them.

[sallyw]

I think as far as the partitions go I am going to have one full one to travel youngsters or a mare and foal travelling loose behind and one with a half partition with a rubber skirt. This way I can travel different animals with different combinations. Like the comment about a careful driver!! I found myself fetching a load of carpets for my daughter in lorry and driving round corners carefully as if I had horses in there! Ideas please still needed about floor.