Rear Facing Horse Transport

Post 1

 Rear-facing horse transport journey

Rear Facing Float

Forwrd Facing Float

During the1980's whilst studying a horse management course I discovered an article on transporting horses by Dr Sharon. E Cregier Ph.D. Sharon is quoted as saying “ my research and experimentation has convinced me that all horses, not just a few so called problem horses, suffer discomfort and pain when transported in conventional horse boxes and trailers in which they are positioned head-to-the engine, facing the direction of travel.”

This article, as well as information on safety features in floats, taught in a class by Bruce Rodder at Ultimo Technical College was stored at the back of my conscious mind.

In time, as I became responsible for floating horses, this information played an important role in my ongoing interest and application of horse safety during transportation.

After years of transporting horses conventionally forward facing, including both straight and angle load, I had not sighted a single rear facing float in my outings with my horses.

I went searching overseas and found Equi Balance floats in New Zealand. Here is a section of the email dated 14.7.2010 received from Odessa Holmes of Equi Balance after my enquiry.

Hi Suzanne,
We have not yet shipped a trailer to Australia, although I have lost count of the number

of requests and enquiries from over the ditch. Our material is in most European 

university libraries, and there are over 400 published papers on the subject 

of rear-facing transport.

My father was the first to patent the design in the 1970's and these early designs were

adopted by Rice Trailers of England.  Today they produce the Equi Trek which is 

rear-facing (although it is front load and not true to the original platform load design).

At the Burleigh Horse Trials in the UK in 2007 there were over 17 rear facing hybrid 

designs- all front or side loading. The idea has now been in the public arena for 

over 40 years and is common in Scandinavia and parts of Europe.

I would love the opportunity to showcase our design at Equitana in both hemispheres. 

The cost is of course prohibitive. What I'm now looking for is manufacturer with the 

vision and capability to build to our design and try to make the units cost effective.

The trailer on the DVD was our first prototype.  

I then viewed the above mentioned DVD, showing a horse travelling in a conventional 

trailer, then in a purpose built rear facing trailer.Overwhelmingly the horse’s ability to 

balance was enhanced by travelling in a rear facing orientation. 
  
This visual evidence, along with practise travelling on my hands and knees in the back

of our tow vehicle, gave further insight into what it would be like for a horse to experience 

accelerating, braking and turning without any notice, in a cave on wheels !
So then began the journey of building a rear facing, purpose built float from the basics

of a conventional straight load float.   

Overview
 Rear-facing horse transport

When standing, 60% of a horse's weight is on its forequarters. This weight distribution enables a stationary horse to rest a back leg and remain balanced, and this is how a horse naturally stands in a motionless float.

Instead of a collarbone, the horse has what is termed a 'thoracic sling.' The front legs are not attached to the body by a joint, but instead are connected by tendons and ligaments. The sling supports the forequarters and allows the horse to balance and rest whilst standing. For the sling to operate effectively the horse must maintain this natural position, with the majority of its weight on its forequarters.

When people are standing in a moving bus, their feet have very little surface area in contact with the bus floor. On acceleration they are thrown backwards, which is why they need to grab on to an anchor point or sit down so they do not completely lose their balance.

We have become accustomed to seeing horses travel with their heads facing forward. When a forward facing float accelerates the horse's weight is thrust back onto the hindquarters. This instantly unbalances the horse, causing him to unnaturally spread his legs. This strains the muscles in the rump region and also increases anxiety levels. The vulnerable horse cannot sit or hold on like we do in a bus, typically he then leans on the rear of the float trying to remain upright. In this position the thoracic sling can not function effectively, therefore the horse is not very well positioned for changes of direction, deceleration or emergency stopping.

Today, across the world, people are now increasingly aware of the benefits of transporting horses facing toward the rear of the float. When a purpose-built rear-facing horse float accelerates the bulk of the horse's weight is maintained on the forequarters and he can balance naturally. This also enables him to make adjustments for changes of direction, raise and lower his head, and not lean on the float for support.

Therefore he does not need to spread his legs or scramble trying to balance. On deceleration and emergency stopping the already balanced horse can use his rump as a shock absorber against a fixed wall.

Horses that travel facing to the rear of a custom built float benefit greatly by being able to balance more effectively. This is the result of being able to maintain a natural, efficient weight distribution. This improves their confidence, reduces stress and enhances performance levels and most importantly, their safety.

This is what the float looked like originally.
 There will be more photos showing it's development.