STX
With side-loading, horses can even be loaded and unloaded while a van is parallel parked.
move horses. “You don’t need a big dually, you don’t need a big diesel pickup truck and a six or seven-horse goose- neck when this can be done efficiently. Anyone can drive it…and because it is single-wheel based, you can park it in any car port.” With side-loading, horses can even be loaded and unloaded while a van is parallel parked. Side loading also eliminates the need to back horses out of a trailer, especially beneficial for horses that dislike backing down a ramp or a step, and places handlers in a safer posi- tion to lead horses in and out. From a trainer’s point of view, the horse van’s conve-
nience often makes good business sense. It makes ship- ping in and out of the farm a breeze, whether it’s head- ing to a horse show, taking mares to the breeding shed or driving to the vet clinic.
The Cons Probably the biggest downside of a horse van is the fact that it is a single-use vehicle. Instead of being able to leave the trailer at a show and drive the truck to the hotel, a horse van owner would have to park the horse van itself. While it can be a benefit to have a single hauling vehicle and then make use of a smaller, more economical car for regular everyday use, some people might prefer to be able to use their towing truck for other purposes, maybe even as their main vehicle. And while many of today’s van models have spacious tack rooms and places for storage,
Changing Regulations Horse vans are also capable of handling inclement
weather, with some adjustments. When asked whether it’s better to have a four-wheel-drive truck towing a trailer versus a transit van with chains and snow tires, Dan Roberge, from Equi-Trek-Portland, says it is simply up to the owner’s preference. It’s also possible to add four-wheel-drive capability to a horse van after market. Regardless of the type of vehicle, traveling with horses in any type of extreme weather ought to be done carefully. Horse vans have the obvious added benefit of conve-
nience. Anyone who dislikes the whole process of hook- ing up a trailer and navigating with a tow vehicle will love the simplicity of an all-in-one vehicle. Keith says STX wants to change the American view of what is needed to
Many horse owners have become concerned over recent changes to the laws that affect the haul- ing of horses. According to new regulations, a CDL (commercial driving license) will be required if the combination of vehicle and trailer, or vehicle alone, has a GVWR (gross vehicular weight rating) over 26,000 pounds. Can owning a horse van be a benefit in this
case? Possibly. Both STX and Equi-Trek offer two- horse vans with GVWRs below the requirements for a CDL. STX’s Keith Hughes suggests, “There is still too much gray area at the moment, and too many ways to interpret [the changes].” Therefore concerned parties ought to check with their state’s policies directly to make sure that they are in compliance with the new rules. (A guideline on the new regulations, promoted by the American Horse Council, is available on page 53.)
Above, bottom photo: McLain Ward’s longtime mount, HH Carlos Z owned by Double H Farm arrives safely at John Madden Sales for his well-deserved retirement in December 2017.
Warmbloods Today 51
Meg Maloney
Courtesy STX Vans
Courtesy STX Vans
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