Safer Horse Rescues
Mulberry House
31 Market Street
Fordham, Ely
Cambridgeshire, CB7 5LQ
Phone: 01638 723555
Fax: 01638 724043
Email: clare.ascroft@beva.org.uk
Horsebox Safety
How safe is your horsebox?
There has been an upsurge in reported incidents of horses falling through horsebox floors, often whilst the vehicle is moving. The resulting injuries are horrific: Tyre burns on limbs, dislocated hocks and fetlocks, even limbs ground away by the road. One vet recalls examing a leg that looked as though it had been "put into an electric pencil sharpener."
Regular and thorough horsebox maintenance
Regular and thorough horsebox maintenance is vital to stop this happening to your horse!
- Wooden floors or those made of laminated chipboard will rot if not maintained correctly. Rotten, moist or damaged floors can give way.
- Power-wash and thoroughly dry the flooring after use and check for soundness and damp patches every time you load your horse.
- Have wooden floors checked 2-3 times a year by your trailer distributor.
- Lift rubber matting if the box is not used for a while.
- When buying a new horsebox choose one with aluminium flooring, or consider replacing a wooden floor with an aluminium one.
- Be aware that tyres will need replacing more frequently than those on other vehicles, especially if horseboxes and trailers are frequently parked on damp ground.
And if the worst happens -
- Contact the Fire and Rescue Service and Police for assistance on 999.
- Keep your horse calm by getting it to eat. Food is a great natural tranquilliser.
- Never release a trapped horse unless there is a safe place for it to go.
For more information
The British Horse Society’s Safety Department provides information and advice on all aspects of horse and rider safety. Telephone 0844 848 1666 or visit www.bhs.org.uk
The Organisation of Horsebox and Trailer Owners has valuable information on tyre and windscreen safety on their website www.horsebox-rescue.co.uk