The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: marka on September 29, 2013, 02:36:53 pm

Title: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: marka on September 29, 2013, 02:36:53 pm
Hi all,

At the risk of sounding daft, is there any reason why a horse box couldnt be used for transporting sheep / cattle etc, subject to numbers of course and cleaning out properly after use ?

The missus is telling me we will need a horse box but I dont want to spend money on a seperate livestock trailer if I dont need to.

Regards

Mark
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: Fleecewife on September 29, 2013, 03:00:11 pm
There are rules and regulations governing the transport of sheep, so if the horse box conforms to those (correct amount of space per animal, metal floor, correct angle of ramp, ventilation etc ) then I don't see why not.  We used a horse trailer for years before we got our sheep trailer but that was before the new regs.  You may well use more fuel towing it though.
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on September 29, 2013, 03:31:46 pm
The other thing to consider is whether the horses will agree to go back in it once stinky sheep have come out...they can be funny to load, horses and any excuse to start not being good to load will by a headache and have you buying a small sheep trailer quicker than you can reach for your cheque book.


We have a horsebox but decided by the time we modified it for sheep we could better put that money towards  buying a smallish (Ifor P8) trailer for the sheep. Also, you won't not be able to take the sheep cos the horsebox has run out of MOT or needs repair - unless what you mean by box is a horse trailer rather than Horse box?
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: marka on September 29, 2013, 03:35:38 pm
HI there, sorry I did mean a horse trailer.

Many thanks all
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: Dan on September 29, 2013, 03:57:01 pm
We bought one of these in the 7ft height/10ft length option with the central divider about 4 years ago:

http://www.iwt.co.uk/products/livestock/ta510?tab=details (http://www.iwt.co.uk/products/livestock/ta510?tab=details)

It does for our ponies, sheep, pigs and was great for house moving.  :D

No regrets at all, a great piece of kit.
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: honeyend on September 29, 2013, 05:46:48 pm
I have a cheap Rice trailer that I bought one winter for £500. Its called a Europa and  it weighs under 700kg. A bigger family car will tow it with a horse, its moved furniture, compact tractor plus mower, pigs to slaughter, general storage when we are short of space and I can get 35 bales of hay in it.
 I can under stand why they are so cheap when a box trailer is not as strong and a normal sheep trailer has not the flexibility. Buy them in winter when no one wants them and get a bargain.
 
 
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: 90driver on September 30, 2013, 08:23:16 am
Hi. I have done the same.... purchased a Rice Europa about 8 years ago. I have used it for everything. ..... except horses. Last month I had to replace one complete side due to rot and at the same time fitted it with stock gates. It worked really well taking our pigs to slaughter.
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: ZaktheLad on September 30, 2013, 08:33:20 am
I use a double Ifor Williams horse trailer for both my horse and sheep and have had no issues whatsoever.  I have transported sheep to market and never had any market officials remark on it not meeting any regulations. 
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: EcoGypsy on September 30, 2013, 12:57:56 pm
There are no regulations. We have 510 ifor williams (tall, big horsebox), ifor williams cattle box and 3 horse trailer. Goats were travelling in a horsebox and horses were travelling in a cattlebox!
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: mowhaugh on September 30, 2013, 09:27:27 pm
We bought one of these in the 7ft height/10ft length option with the central divider about 4 years ago:

http://www.iwt.co.uk/products/livestock/ta510?tab=details (http://www.iwt.co.uk/products/livestock/ta510?tab=details)

It does for our ponies, sheep, pigs and was great for house moving.  :D

No regrets at all, a great piece of kit.

Exactly what we have too, does for everything, ponies travel much better in it than a conventional horse trailer.
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: mowhaugh on September 30, 2013, 09:38:55 pm
Guidance here:
https://www.gov.uk/farm-animal-welfare-during-transportation#inspection-and-approval-of-animal-transportation-vehicles (https://www.gov.uk/farm-animal-welfare-during-transportation#inspection-and-approval-of-animal-transportation-vehicles)
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: bazzais on October 01, 2013, 12:36:13 pm
The only downfall is no side hurdles/gates on a horse trailer - but as 90driver said - you can fit them easily to save the peeps at the mart having to shuffle of and find them or stand by the side to help you unload (depending on the setup)
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: marka on October 06, 2013, 02:17:47 pm
Thanks everyone for the replies

We've been offered a Rice double horse trailer that has good floor and side panels but has a slight 'hole' in one side about 10 inches by 10 inches were someone obviously caught it ona branch or something - this looks to be easily fixable with a couple of pieces of aluminium, 1 in side and 1 outside, with a bit of sealant and a few rivits its should keep the weather out - tyres all look ok and electrics work ( so Im told ) - all for £400.
From the same guy, we've also been offered an old Ifor Williams 10 x 5 cattle trailer, again all sound with good tyres etc - its an older model but its on at £375 ( I know this is slightly off topic )
There's probably a deal to be done for both at around £700 but was wondering what everyone thought ?
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: bazzais on October 06, 2013, 05:22:26 pm
Even if they needed brakes, lights and a good scrub they are pretty cheap for that price.

Really good price IMO.
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: EcoGypsy on October 06, 2013, 07:31:13 pm
Definitely bargain! Let me know if you won't have them  :eyelashes:
Title: Re: Multiple use for horsebox
Post by: marka on October 07, 2013, 08:52:20 pm
Update - The guy sold the cattle trailer whilst we were in between phone calls finalising the deal, so we walked away from the horse trailer as well as we felt we couldnt trust him  >:(

So still looking for a horse trailer first and a cattle trailer second, so if anyone knows of any for sale in reasonable condition for a reasonable price, preferably in NE Scotland or at least on the way there from Lancashire, please let me know.

Not too much to ask, hopefully...... :fc: