Why are horse boxes so slow?
Discussion
We've all travelled behind a horse box being driven like its contents is a load of precious unsecured china.
OK, so it's someone's P & J in there, but consider what is going to happen when they arrive at their destination, the horse is unloaded and ridden around a field, across rough ground and over fences FFS....so why can't it cope with the occasional bend at 50mph in a specialised transportation vehicle?
OK, so it's someone's P & J in there, but consider what is going to happen when they arrive at their destination, the horse is unloaded and ridden around a field, across rough ground and over fences FFS....so why can't it cope with the occasional bend at 50mph in a specialised transportation vehicle?
thing in sideways and using a decent set of ratchet straps. I reckon they should be on flat bed trailers as well, keeps the centre of gravity low.mxdi said:
Well, you try standing up in a lorry whilst going round bends 
Maybe its just me then, better cut down on the beer
Been there done that 5 of us in a transit , and a crate of beer heading for a beach party .
sodding horses though turn them to glue, had the normal parade of stuck up pillocks riding over the xmas period on the roads side by side with no reflective jackets on
2 Smokin Barrels said:
Actually, they're mostly 7.5 tonners. Does this mean that with the passage of time there will be less of em? (Will the lasses driving them need an LGV licence, or are they exempt?)
Some of the stuff around newmarket etc is really expensive 17 & 24 tonne Scanias / Volvos etc . Most are driven by women truckies. I have to say, if you want to see a truck driven smoothly and progressively, these are the girls to watch.
Steve
I think horses get bad motion sickness, which I think I would if I was forced to stand in a windowless box full of hay and horse-shit while being driven at 40 mph along country roads. May be if they fitted the horse box with decent windows for the horse to look out of it wouldn't get so sick...
Do you appreciate the cost of horses? No. Do you appreciate the delicateness ( 
) of horses? No.
Picture the scene, your precious cargo is £16,000 (exchange to current rate for fantasy car) and is currently in the back of a box, you have the choice to either i) Drive like a maniac and bash said fantasy car around or ii) Drive with due care and caution, observing potential hazards to your cargo.
Bearing in mind i) Has effects of gross vet bills heighting at £1000 per week for a horsepital stay (MINUS veterinary charges of £500 + ) or possibility of said horse being shot.
Anyway, they don't ALL drive slow. Admittedly the Bedfords give everything a bad name, they cut out at 50
) of horses? No. Picture the scene, your precious cargo is £16,000 (exchange to current rate for fantasy car) and is currently in the back of a box, you have the choice to either i) Drive like a maniac and bash said fantasy car around or ii) Drive with due care and caution, observing potential hazards to your cargo.
Bearing in mind i) Has effects of gross vet bills heighting at £1000 per week for a horsepital stay (MINUS veterinary charges of £500 + ) or possibility of said horse being shot.
Anyway, they don't ALL drive slow. Admittedly the Bedfords give everything a bad name, they cut out at 50
wedg1e said:
What gets me is why they always have 'Caution - Horses' somewhere on them.
Why should I be cautious? Is the horse driving without insurance?
Because if the horse bolted and hit your car, it would not only write off your car but also stand a good chance of killing you, but I would like to think if the animal was that highly strung it would not be on the road.
I have not really been into horses but the family are. I give them as much room as I can and slow down for them. When I am in the Cerbera I have to coast past!
towman said:
Actually, they're mostly 7.5 tonners. Does this mean that with the passage of time there will be less of em? (Will the lasses driving them need an LGV licence, or are they exempt?)
Some of the stuff around newmarket etc is really expensive 17 & 24 tonne Scanias / Volvos etc . Most are driven by women truckies. I have to say, if you want to see a truck driven smoothly and progressively, these are the girls to watch.
Steve
I'll keep me eyes open!
towman said:
Why do they need to be transported?
To get from where they are to where they need to be. E.G. from Germany to England. Or from Frensham to Badminton. Or Germany to Frensham to Badminton (if you catch my drift
) I hate horse boxes too, but I appreciate they serve a purpose and we share the road with them. Horses aren't strapped down like cars are on a flatbed. On a long journey with corners, bumps, etc, their legs get really knackered (pun intended!).
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