Horse box

2012paddy2012

I. Was wondering about getting a horse box second hand. It's a bit in the distance tho, thinking of buying horse next year. It's would be just for transporting one horse here and there locally. Price wise etc . What would you be looking at.
Just a basic reliable horse box I need.

Also I have a wide side entrance , but unfortunately I have a lean to built which would obstruct the box from being stored in back garden.

Is there such a thing as a " half" type box! I'm thinking like caravan doors years ago where you open and close halfway , like if you could take a light top part off for storage purposes .... Long shot I know !!


Thks paddy

dave66

Paddy,

I've only started towing a horsebox since the end of January so I can only give you my limited experience. Having towed a few different boxes now I personally favour the Iffor Williams HB505. It will take two horses, I have found it to be a very nice size and weight to tow with my Freelander 2.0L Diesel. The horses I have transported have all been less than 15hh.

There tend to be boxes for sale on the usual 2nd sites, that said I do think that when I get around to buying I'll go to a dealer. As I understand it, there are risks buying 2nd hand through ads as you really need to check that the box has not been stolen, I believe most/many boxes are now tagged so I assume there is a way to check that box isnt stolen but I am not sure what the process is, also I reckon if you buy from a dealer the box will probably be serviced and road worthy.

One other thing, before you start towing, best to check you have a license to tow and that your vehicle is up to the job.

Best of luck

David

2012paddy2012

Thanks a mill for that . The licence end is ok! I think as you say Ivor Williams I think have a code number on boxes that you can ring them and check to see if its on the stolen list. I really want to as you say get a basic one , for one horse when the kid gets horse it will require a small by of travel now and again. I am interested in rough prices too ... What roughly did u pay for yours if you don't mind me asking ! Is it 2 nd hand ? Thanks again

Paddy

monflat

Hi there I don't think there is a horse box that you could rake the top part off unless u go for one that has no covering on it at all
But what size ur horse goin to be ? If no more than 16 2 hh go for an ifor Williams 505
You would get a good one for 2 grand from dealer serviced and all make sure whatever u get has a checker plate alluminium floor
Your at nothing buyin one with a wooden floor as the resale value s not great and there could be rot not visible

I bought a 6 yr old 510 ifor in 2008 for 3200

dave66

Paddy,

I haven't purchased a box yet, I've had a loan of one and also rented from equiport. As monflat suggested the Ifor Williams 505 is a good box if the the horse is under 16.2hh. That's the model I've used most and find it easy to tow. I did tow a 510 and while the car handled it, I did find it noticeably heavier - altough it was a much older box and I think the sides were heavier that the 505.

Again, as Monflat says, you can pick up a good box for under €2000, I certainly wouldn't be buying a box before you get the horse, let your child get used to the horse before you start getting into travelling to shows etc.

Are you going to keep the horse at a livery yard/stables? If so, then I'd suggest you ask somebody with experience to help you the first few times you're travelling. It's not hard, you just need to get used to towing and ensure you know how to hitch up etc. When getting the horse be sure to ask if it's good at travelling as well as loading/unloading.

monflat

Totally I echo what dave66 just said if you are buying a horse see the owners load an unload it.
It's a terrible problem to have if the horse is a bad loader especially if you are new to horses as they are so wise and totally know if you are a novice or not

silverfox88

Be verrrry careful buying for under €2000 there's quite a lot of s**t out there and it's well known that ifor Williams boxes hold their value so if it seems too good to be true it probably is... I paid about 4k for a 2005 HB 505 about 18 mths ago and bought it directly from ifor Williams in Naas. Pricier but the box was perfect and I had a warranty. Best friend bought a v similar box from donedeal and ended up having to have side panels replaced and various other things done, expensive and inconvenient. Wouldnt touch anything under 2500 really.