Designing for problematic horses
Part of our approach to horsebox design centres on anticipating and preventing potential issues rather than grappling with serious incidents after they’ve occurred.
It’s similar to constructing a sturdy bridge designed to withstand heavy traffic, rather than relying on a rescue team to recover vehicles after a collapse. For instance, we believe it’s far better to anticipate and design to prevent a horse from rearing than to deal with the aftermath of an incident.
In essence, prevention trumps cure. By designing for the most problematic horses, KPH ensures our horseboxes can safely accommodate a wide range of equine temperaments and behaviours, ultimately providing a safer transport solution for horses.
This proactive stance not only safeguards the well-being of our equine passengers but also offers peace of mind to our customers.
The worst horse behavioural traits
The worst behavioural traits in transporting horses can be categorised into several phases of the transport process:
1. Pre-loading and Loading Phase
- Refusal to load – Horses may exhibit avoidance behaviours such as rearing, pulling away sideways or backwards.
- Anxiety-related behaviours – These include vocalisation, pawing, increased locomotion, and shaking.
- Flight responses – Some horses may attempt to bolt or show extreme fear reactions.
2. During Transit
- Balance issues – Horses may scramble to maintain their footing, which can lead to injuries.
- Aggressive behaviour – Kicking out at the vehicle or biting and kicking directed at traveling companions.
- Stress-related actions – These include head tossing, pawing, head-turning, kicking, and rearing.
- Reduced welfare indicators – Some horses may show decreased feeding and drinking behaviours.
3. Unloading Phase
- Reluctance to exit – Horses may refuse to unload or freeze in place.
- Unsafe exit – Some horses might leave the vehicle at excessive speed, potentially causing injuries.
4. Overall Problematic Behaviours
- Loss of balance – This is particularly concerning as it’s associated with an increased risk of gastric ulceration.
- Biting and head tossing – These behaviours are more common in horses travelling in single stalls.
- Panic reactions – These can lead to self-injury or injury to handlers.
Our Research Findings
Our research reveals that 75% of reported incidents during transport are linked to behaviours such as scrambling, slipping, and interactions between horses.
These behaviours are critical factors that can significantly impact safety. In addition to these, we evaluate various other elements to ensure comprehensive protection.
As a result, we have developed an extensive list of safety features and considerations that we incorporate into our horsebox design to prioritise the well-being of both horses and handlers.
There are items we simply cannot plan for that impact on horse behaviour, and these include:
- Separation Anxiety
- Environmental Changes
- Previous Trauma
- Health Issues
- Dietary Changes
- Weather Conditions
- Driver Behaviour
- Unexpected Noises
- Visual Distractions
- Group Interactions
Designing the horse area and horsebox
Below are just a few of the points we have researched and design for in our builds.
1. Safety and Structural Integrity
- Strength Under Accident Conditions – The horsebox must be constructed to withstand impact forces during accidents, ensuring the safety of both horses and passengers.
- Sharp Edges and Cappings – All edges should be removed or at the least rounded to prevent injury to horses and customers.
- Durability Over the Entire Life Cycle – Materials used should be robust enough to withstand wear and tear over time.
- Individual Component Longevity – Each part of the horsebox should be designed for extended use, minimising the need for frequent replacements.
2. Comfort and Usability
- Grip and Finish of Horse Area and Ramp – Surfaces should provide adequate grip to prevent slipping, especially in wet conditions.
- Ramp Angle – The ramp should have a manageable angle for horses to ascend and descend safely. Steps should be minimal from the ground to ramp and ramp to horse area floor.
- Stall Widths – Adequate space is essential for the comfort of the largest horses during transport.
- Bespoke Breast Bar Heights – Designed for each horse.
3. Environmental Control
- Airflow and Ventilation – Proper ventilation is crucial to maintain air quality inside the horse area, preventing overheating.
- Heat Removal – Systems should be in place to dissipate heat generated during transit, protecting horses from heat stress.
- Vehicle Exhaust Gases – Exhaust systems must be designed to prevent harmful gases from entering the horse area.
4. Noise Control
- Soundproofing –Implement sound-deadening materials to minimise noise from the vehicle’s operation, which can distress horses.
- Reducing Vibration and Rattles – Use vibration-damping materials to reduce noise and vibrations that can cause discomfort.
5. Load Management
- Payload Capacity – The horsebox must be capable of safely carrying the intended load without compromising structural integrity.
- Load Height – Consideration of how high loads are placed is important for ease of use and safety during loading, unloading and transporting horses.
6. Operational Performance
- Vehicle Sway – Design elements should minimise sway during transit, enhancing stability for both the vehicle and its horses.
- Ride Comfort – Suspension systems should be optimised to provide a smooth ride, reducing stress on horses during travel.
- Stopping Distances – The braking system/air suspension must ensure adequate stopping distances under various load conditions.
7. Visibility and Surveillance
- Visual and Audible Warnings – Systems that alert drivers to potential hazards when reversing, manoeuvring or starting a journey with doors or steps open.
- Surveillance – Consider cameras that allow monitoring of the horse area, especially when in transit.
8. Maintenance Considerations
- Chemical Washing and Steam Cleaning – Materials should withstand regular cleaning methods without degrading.
- Construction Strength – Overall construction should support easy maintenance while ensuring long-term durability.
9. Accident Strength
- Reinforced Bulkhead – Designed to take the weight of horses in accident conditions.
- Reinforced Walls – Designed to protect horses from side impacts in accident conditions.
- Safety Cell – Keeps structural rigidity around the horses in an accident.
- Horse Partitions and Gates – They stay in place in accident scenarios.
New Technology for Horse Safety
Rearing horses or ponies present a significant challenge in our horsebox design. Many existing solutions are reactive, often driven by sales tactics that play on customers’ fears or focus on dealing with the aftermath of serious incidents, rather than preventing them!
At KPH, we’ve taken a proactive approach to enhance horsebox safety. We initiated a dialogue with Equi Travel Safe, a promising startup company, which led to extensive research and field testing of their innovative harness system. The results were remarkably effective in preventing rearing, prompting us to integrate the Equi Travel Safe system as a standard feature in our premium Aeos horsebox range. This system helps prevent horses from rearing or jumping over the breast bar or on lockers. This innovation represents a major step forward in horse transport safety and comfort.
Key Benefits of the Equi Travel Safe System include:
- Designed to make horse transport more relaxed for both customers and their horses.
- Simple yet highly effective solution.
- Clever design allows horses to move, balance, and relax freely.
Equi Travel Safe testimonial
Deborah is one of our customers with an Aeos 4.5 tonne Hybrid horsebox and a 16.3 Irish Sports horse who exhibits some challenging behaviour. We modified our design with extra padding etc and although it was much safer, it did little to prevent the rearing and travel issues. After contacting Equi Travel Safe and talking through the problem we decided to use this horse as a case study. It is worth pointing out we have no affiliation with the company, they just have an excellent product that fits our ethos perfectly and makes horse transport safer for problematic horses.
From Deborah:
Hi Kevin
Thanks for your call to check in on how the Equi Travel Safe is working for us.
I’m delighted to hear you are doing a blog on horses with travel issues. I read so many posts on forums from people with similar issues to what I was experiencing and there needs to be more awareness of this product as it could help a lot of people.
Safety for my horses travelling is of utmost importance to me. Since owning my own horsebox I have only ever had KPH and I know this is core to what you do so I knew you’d be there for us when I approached you with a travel issue.
December 2016 I traded in my much loved KPH 7.5 tonne horsebox for a new Aeos 4.5 tonne Hybrid horsebox. I am still thrilled with it.
My 16.3 Irish Sports Horse has always given us challenges when out on the horsebox, thankfully not so much loading or on the move, but when he’s standing – he becomes impatient.
As you know, we made a few modifications to the horse area and I appreciate all your help with this, however, when he learned that he could sit back on his hocks and launch himself over the partition or onto the tack locker at the time it seemed like a stallion box was the only option and I had to do something as we wouldn’t travel again with this horse, it was a matter of time until something terrible happened.
You mentioned the Equi Travel Safe but you didn’t have a case study of one being on one of your boxes so I think we were both a bit sceptical at the time……. but it was worth a try…….
Kevin, it works.
It has changed our life. No longer do I have to take multiple people out with me when I travel for fear of what he’s going to do if he decides it’s one of those days.
I have no evidence of this but I truly believe he feels safe when he’s wearing it. He still has the odd moment when he starts trying to climb but when he realises he can’t lift his shoulders he just stands there eating his hay.
For the first time since I have owned this horse I have been to a show on my own.
I now go training weekly on my own.
I do have the odd meltdown when a hear someone else’s horse kicking off in the horsebox but I know it can’t be mine…….
Horses jumping on tack lockers is a massive problem.
This product solves it….
I really do hope that one day this is fitted in every horsebox as safety standard.
I’m very much looking forward to reading your blog. If you need any more anecdotal evidence or context let me know.
Best Regards
Deb
Food for thought…..
As we continue to innovate for horsebox safety, our commitment to proactive design remains unwavering. By anticipating potential challenges and integrating advanced solutions like the Equi Travel Safe system, we are not just reacting to problems, but actively preventing them.
This approach reflects our dedication to ensuring the well-being of every horse that travels in our horseboxes.
As always, safety—primarily horse safety—is at the forefront of everything we do. Thank you for being part of our journey! We would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this blog post. If there’s anything we might have overlooked or if you have additional insights to share, we would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to send your feedback to kevin@kphltd.co.uk
Thank you for helping us improve.
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