designed with the VED in mind, to maximize efficiency and minimize the tax burden while still creating vehicles capable of safely hauling horses. Narrow roads are also an important consideration. The adage “bigger is better” often doesn’t apply in a country where many of the roads haven’t been widened since the time of the Romans. Nadia Tanner, a horse trainer based in Idaho and a U.K.
native, used to own a 7.5 ton horse lorry with living quar- ters. “They were better than a truck in England because the roads are so small and we wouldn’t want to drive around in a truck all the time because the gas is so expen- sive,” Nadia says. “So vans are good because you use them when needed but park them and drive a small car when you don’t want to haul horses.” Tom Kerkhofs, the sales director for STX Horse Trucks
in Belgium, agrees, that in Western Europe, especially in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Scandinavia, horse vans are popular for practical reasons. “To go quickly with the horse to vet checks and day shows, it’s more practical with a tour van. Not everyone has a license for a trailer. When people turn eighteen, they can get their standard driving license and are able to drive one of these vans,” he says.
The Pros
On this side of the Atlantic, horse vans are growing in popularity because of their advantages. The rear-facing design of the modern horse van has been scientifically proven to be more comfortable for horses during trans- port. Keith believes most horses are happier and more secure when traveling backwards, because their butt is against the bulkhead so it’s easier for them to brake themselves. “They can use their butt and their hind legs. Heaven forbid, if you have to slam on the brakes, if they’re on their front legs they’re going to go forward and end up on their nose. Whereas with them traveling backwards, it’s more natural and they can lean into the braking,” he says. Studies by Dr. Carolyn Stull from the University of Cali-
fornia, Davis, explored how orientation and balance can effect horses during travel. According to her research, rearward facing travel allows horses to adapt a “buttress” posture and lower and use their heads and necks to balance. A second study by Dr. Natalie Waran from the University of Edinburgh found forward-facing horses held their heads higher during transit, moved their feet more to balance, and displayed increased heart rates and increased vocalization (signs of stress) not seen in rear- facing horses. With the new van designs, old inconveniences like
heavy, steep ramps, high clearance and hot interiors are a thing of the past. They are safe not just for the horses, but for their people too. “The bulkhead wall is reinforced. We’ve never had an incident where a horse has come through that bulkhead wall,” Lynn says. In one particularly terrible accident, one of Equi-Trek’s vans was involved in a head-on collision and was pushed backwards into a brick
50 March/April 2018
wall. The horse was unhurt and the passengers all walked away with only minor injuries. “When the horses are in a horsebox, it’s just like riding in the back seat of a comfortable car. They are attached with you between the axles so they are getting a really solid, comfortable ride,” Lynn adds. Many of the ramps on the small vans are built with the single handler in mind. Equi-Trek’s VISION model has a gas-strut assist feature on the ramp that allows it to operate like a hatchback, and STX Vans offers the lowest center of gravity on the market which provides a low ramp for easy loading. Horse vans are easy to drive—in some instances, easier than a big pickup. They are maneuverable in parking lots and small streets (no huge turnaround spaces needed), and simple to load and unload.
Equi-Trek
Courtesy Equi-Trek LTD
Courtesy Equi-Trek LTD
Courtesy Equi-Trek LTD
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