How much space do I need in the lorry?

Rarah

Rarah

A hole in my Logic!
Sep 28, 2003
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Please help????

I need to know what is the optimum amount of space a horse requires in a lorry.

We have just switched from a trailer to a lorry to provide more room but are not sure we have enough room across the lorry (ie are our horses too long for the lorry travelling sideway on?)

Is it better to be slightly squished in to stop the horses moving around too much and getting injured or do they need the extra space if it's available.

Not too keen on moving the partitions and altering the layout but it's a possibility if necessaryl

What's best?
 
You normally need to travel the horses 'herringbone', ie at a slight slant to give them enough room. Actual length depends on whether you have external lockers at head end as well as size of horse. We spent ages adjusting our partitions to give the best length although in most boxes the living partition wall will be slanted as well so you may have to compromise.

As far as width goes we found they were better narrower to support the horse
 
How wide is the lorry & how big are the horses?

My box is 8 feet wide (max road legal width) & P needs a bit of an angle on the herringbone to be comfy, she's 16.2 but long backed - takes a 7ft rug. She also travels in my friend's much smaller box, it's only 7ft wide but she is OK if we move the partition so she can stand at an acute angle (and rob her box mates' hay net :rolleyes:). She does seem to like having lots of space between the partitions, she makes a fuss if there isn't loads of room. My old cob, who was a 16.2/6ft9 rug size, could happily squeeze himself into half the space P does & travel without a peep!
 
This is taken from the lorry ad

Internal width is 7ft 2in. Height is 7ft 10in. (easily carries 17hh).

Logic is 14.2 and does fit in there.

My friend's horse used to be the same size, but he's only young is is definately bigger than her now - I'm guessing 15hh now.

I know the ad states that the lorry can carry 17hh but I'm not convinced.

I think I will have to try and take some pics of the horses in the lorry at the weekend in daylight.

With a trailer there is the breastbar which gives plenty of room for their necks.

Does anyone have any pics of their horses loaded so I can see what a typical horse looks like loaded in a waggon?
 
we have a small ladies box but this carries out 16.3 long backed mare quite easily. She doesnt have a lot of room to move about but we prefer this as she feels safer when travelling.
 
Do the partitions herringbone, facing backwards and put the biggest heaviest horse in first so the weight isnt fish tailing the box at the back....
 
My horse doesn't fit in lorries herringbone, to be comfortable he'd have to go at such an angle that there wouldn't be room for any other horses. But he is a long 17hh. I have an ifor 510 trailer which is plenty long enough but sometimes I go out in YO's lorry. Her TB's are fine but mine stands with his butt pressed against the wall and neck arched at the front. Cant lift his tail to poo so makes a right mess. I only do short journeys in the lorry and v rarely.
 
Ours go straight across, not herringbone. They are 16.3 and 17hh but only take 6'6" and 6'3" rugs - the 17hh is incredibly short backed for his height.

Best thing is to put the horses in and see if there's enough room, you can tell by looking if they are having to bend their necks into strange contortions to fit in ;)
 
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