Horsebox horrors

WE have to ensure our transport is suitably tested to be roadworthy and yet being roadworthy doesn’t include, for example, checks on the safety of your horse area flooring. At a show recently, one nonequestrian friend having a nose at the boxes parked up — and being suitably impressed by the extensive, swanky living areas available for the riders — said of the horse area: “If I kicked that I’d fully expect my foot to come out the other side. And I imagine a horse packs a rather harder punch.”

These words were pertinent following H&H’s report on Carole Mutch’s promising eventer Gorsehill Echo, who had to be put down after his leg went through the floor of a horsebox (news, 28 June). Mrs Mutch was of the impression the lorry’s horse area floor was made of aluminium, when in fact it was 18mm phenolic board. This, experts agree, is entirely unsuitable and yet perfectly legal (news, p8).

Horse owners put their faith in manufacturers, who are not obliged to follow specific build guidelines on flooring — although they should not misrepresent what they are supplying.

As horse owners, it is very much in our interest to check the suitability and condition of materials. Following the incident, Carole is backing an idea for guidelines covering minimum standards, which reputable manufacturers would surely sign up to. H&H fully supports this notion and implores Defra to consider the same. When you say, “We need minimum guidelines for horsebox construction”, it seems unfeasible that we don’t.