Rear-Facing Travel
The concept of travelling horses facing the rear of the vehicle was first developed by Theault in the early 1960's with the first vehicle released in 1961 on a Citroen HY chassis.
Over the years this concept has become increasingly popular throughout Europe with the majority of compact 2-stall horse trucks of this type on the road today stalled for the horses to face the rear. There have been several studies into the best orientation of travel for horses which have concluded that rear-facing is the most beneficial. Perhaps the best of which was one carried out by the University of California Davis in the mid-1990's into the Physiology, Balance and Management of Horse During Transportation.
The study concluded that horses travelling facing the rear showed a significant decrease in heart-rate compared to those tested travelling in other orientations. Horses travelliing forward facing were found to vocalize more and became unbalanced more frequently.
Since 1961 Theault have produced several thousand vehicles like this and customer feedback backs up the results of the study.
Environment - The horses travel facing into a lighter, less chlostrophobic space with better ventilation than when travelling either forward-facing or in oblique stalling. Theault have designed the ventilation in their trucks to provide the horses with efficient, adjustable ventilation and to prevent cross-draughts.
Balance - Horses balance naturally using their rumps, they also have a natural instinct to turn their back ends on anything that provides discomfort or a threat. By travelling facing the rear they are better able to satisfy their natural instincts absorbing the negative energies provided by braking and acceleration and therefore balance better. It also provides the possibility for horses to stand with their front-legs further apart therefore further improving balance. The vast majority of horses will choose to face the rear if travelled loose with space to turn around.
Accessibility - The horse area is accessed safely and easily by the rear door which on Theault's vehicles is always kept wide to prevent a horse becoming trapped in the event of a problem. The quick-release breast divider in front of the horses ensures further safety.