Comfort for Horses Awheel
Page 72
Page 73
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Modern Tendency in Horsebox Design and Construction Would Tend to Suggest that a Stage of Perfection Has Been Reached
khe make-up of the ideal horsebox there are many problems, some of which are of a controversial nature, that need solution, but the overruling consideration is centred around the degree of comfort afforded to the animals during transit.
Ease of loading and unloading is bound up with the type of ramp employed and the nature of the chassis on which the horsebox body is mounted, the object always being to obtain as low a load line as possible. Then we have the matter of efficient ventilation, which means fresh air without draughts, the nature of the accommodation provided for the groom, and so on Visitors to the Royal Show, which is being held at Windsor next week, will have an opportunity of inspecting the latest developments in horsebox construction, as the products of several well-known makers will be on exhibition.
No doubt discussions will ensue as to the policy of carrying horses facing rearwards as opposed to the facing-forward type of conveyance. Messrs. Lambourn Garages, High Street, Lam. bourn, Berks, makers with an extensive experience in the building and maintenance of horseboxes, produce a facing-forward conveyance, which, they claim, -meets all the exacting requirements demanded in horse-transport service.
In support of the contention that horses travel better facing forward, it is, of course, a fact that, when the brakes are applied to the wheels the animal will at once set its front feet so as to resist the forward thrust and will maintain its equilibrium. When it faces the rear it is not able to do this. and so may slip on to its quarters.
Another good point which is made for the facing-forward horsebox is the fact that the groom rides in front and that the luggage and fodder, also being forward, are protected from dust and germs.
A type of body which finds a ready market amongst farmers and cattle breeders is that which may be used either for carrying animals or as a vehicle for goods haulage. Spurling Motor Bodies,. Ltd.. Edgware Road, The Hyde, London, N.W.9, is the maker of an excellent example of the type, having near-side and rear ramps.
For horse transport a partition is arranged in the centre of the body. This partition, which is covered with fibre matting, is so arranged that it may be pivoted to the near side to allow the off-side horse a full circuit to the ramp. Once this horse is clear the partition is then swung round to the extreme off side to give a clear exit for the second animal.
As opposed to the integral type of horsebox there is the platform machine with container, such as is built by Reading and Co., Ltd., London Road, Portsmouth. The basis of such a machine is a normal platform-bodied vehicle designed to carry a special container, which, in the case of the Reading conveyance, has a Luton extension. Excluding the latter, the container has a length of .1.6 ft. 6 ins., a width of 7 ft. 1 in., and a height of 6 ft. 9 ins.
J. II. Jennings and Son, Ltd., Sand
loch, Cheshire, is responsible for a three-horse conveyance which combiaes the features necessary to the comfort of the animals, with beauty of outline. The box itself is double panelled with an aluminium exterior and chromium finished mouldings, so disposed as to provide for a three-colour scheme of decoration. There are side and rear ramps with a patent lift, allowing plenty of room for the heads of the horses when the rear ramp is being used. Accommodation for three horses and two grooms is provided, and there is a door communicating with the driver's cab.
A Curtis two-horse box, built by Straeha us Successors, Ltd.,_ North Acton, London, W.3, is noteworthy for the accommodation provided for the groom at the rear of the body. This compartment has lights on three sides and access is gained to it from the rear. A commendable feature of the Curtis box is the generous .size of the side ramp which, when lowered, Opens up more than half of the body side.
Some excellent features are built in to the products of Vincents of Reading, Ltd., Station Square, Reading, a concern which specializes in .horsebox construction. Whilst built essentially for the carriage of horses, the Vincent
Utility horsebox, for instance, has all its interior fittings and partitions adjustable and removable, so that the vehicle can be made available for carrying a mare and its foal, livestock, luggage, in tact for any purpose that may be desired. This concern has recently introduced a two-horse box, which, known as the Vincent Low-loader, has a loading line of 1 ft. 9 ins., so that the most troublesome animal can be loaded and unloaded without producing situations such as often arise when an animal has to mount a 'steep ramp.
Whilst the trailer type of livestock conveyance has, perhaps, not been exploited to the same extent as the selfcontained vehicle type, Rice Caravans, Ltd., Portland Works, Cosby, near Leicester, produces types which show the possibilities of this form of trans port for animals. It is possible to arrange for low-loading, and a welldesigned trailer rides extremely smoothly. The use of a trailer is, perhaps, the most economical form of animal transport, both in the matter of first cost and in taxation.
It may be said that horsebox design and construction, to-day, have almost reached the perfection stage, although as will be appreciated, there still prevail two schools of thought as to the direction in which the animals should face during transit.