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Breast/breech bars in trailers

7 replies

limepickle · 11/03/2013 07:42

Hi, I'm after some trailer buying/renovation advice. Lots that I'm seeing - old Rice/Richardson/Sinclair ones only have one height for the breast/breech bars - it is relatively easy to add further positions ?? I need to be able to carry a 12.2 and a 14.2, but without trekking to look at whichever trailer I'm considering, its difficult to see what could be done in terms of modifications.
Any advice in terms of older models that have this feature and/or mods would be greatly appreciated ( oh and whether its worth trying to fix quick release bars...).
Many thanks.

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Callisto · 11/03/2013 08:19

Well the Ifor trailer that I use has two heights for the breast and breech bars, and they are still too high for my 12hh - he can slide out underneath the breech bar (as I found out at a PC rally last year Blush). But if you're looking for a pony trailer then the heights should be pony size anyway I would have thought? Maybe you could get some measurements and pics of the attachments before going to look at them? The ones on my Ifor look reasonably easy to alter though, and I'm sure someone on here (Saggy maybe?) has actually altered her trailer for her ponies.

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SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 11/03/2013 09:05

We had ours renovated, it's 40+ years old, and tweaked a bit. We didn't have the breast bar lowered but had the underneath filled in with ply and doors built in. It's not idea you cant get it out at all andl and I'd like it refitted again when I have some money. I think in general it's not too hard. You just need someone with the relevant welding skills to add some more fittings lower down.
I really don't like Ifors for ponies. They are fitted out far to high, and they have that swinging skirt at the bottom of the partition. All it would take was for the pony to go down and get stuck under there and you're looking at a broken back. It's stupid really, Ifors are made in Wales. Home of millions of teeny ponies! Confused
Anyway, I don't think it's too hard to adjust most trailers. Breast and breeching is usually attached with those pin and hoop connections. It's just a bit of welding.

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limepickle · 11/03/2013 12:25

Ah, thank you. Best find myself a welder than Smile. I think the Ifor I saw was that old there was no way you could have fixed in two breast bars as there was nothing that easy to fix it to near the partition. Ideally, where should the height of the breast bar be on a pony ???

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SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 11/03/2013 14:06

Across their breast i suppose. It depends on your pony. Maybe get a couple of extra height settings.

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Butkin · 11/03/2013 14:23

We've had an Ifor Williams for about 20 years and in recent years have travelled everything from a 11.1 Sec A to DW's Connemara and my heavyweight 15 1 cob. Never had a problem with the height of the breastbar. We just tied up quite tight. We now use a bungy on our lorry but on the Ifor we only used to tie their lead ropes through string.

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Loshad · 12/03/2013 22:46

Really butkin
i have an ifor, had this one about 8 years, it is fine for my TB event mare (16.2) but hopeless for her companion (who rarely gets the chance to go in), but he can walk under the breast and breeching bars on their lowest setting. Sure i can tie him up tight if i need to travel him, but he is not exactly safe.

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SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 13/03/2013 00:33

Its that partition with the swinging skirt which makes me shudder. If a horse went down and got stuck under that!
We had a shetland who got under the breast bar and swung round, we noticed as we went round a roundabout that the jockey door was open and his bum was hanging out! Confused

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