Thule Trailers develops leading ventilation system for horse transport following research project
The system is called Thule Air, and is the product of a pioneering project by Thule Trailers which used computer simulation to study how air pressure and air currents affect horses during transport.
“The simulations guided us when we were developing the system. It gave us a lot of new knowledge about what really happens when transporting a horse,” says Håkan Snäll, head of development at Thule Trailers in Jönköping.
The practical measurements were taken at different driving speeds in conditions that were as realistic as possible, using instruments as well as puffs of smoke. One of the conclusions was that there is only one place to put the ventilation: at the top front of the trailer. This prevents an unhealthy air current from forming and blowing directly onto the horse, and exhaust fumes and road-air pass beneath the trailer. Thule Air is now being introduced on all Thule horse trailers.
“We have adjusted the ventilation in existing models and upgraded our Thule Premium range. The modification improves comfort and safety for the horse during transport,” says Sven-Owe Jonsson, head of sales for Thule Trailers in Sweden. “As a market leader in horse trailers, we take our responsibility for assuring the safety and comfort of the horse while being transported. We are developing our products all the time and the introduction of Thule Air is part of this conscious focus,” Sven-Owe Jonsson explains.
Two other innovations – Safety Kit and horse trailer insurance
Thule has now developed a First Aid kit in case a horse is injured during transport. Kits like these are required on all horse trailers by law. “We have packaged everything that’s needed to deal with an incident, from a safety vest to anatomical forceps,” says Sven-Owe Jonsson. The Thule Safety Kit will be sold at Thule Trailers horse centres across Sweden.
In Gothenburg Thule is also launching Thule Trailer Insurance in association with insurance company If Skadeförsäkring. Anyone buying a horse trailer at the Gothenburg Horse Show will receive free insurance for the first year. Read more about the insurance at www.thuletrailers.se (please note the site is in Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian only).
For further information, please contact:
Sven-Owe Jonsson, Sales & Marketing Manager, +46 (0)703 181987
Håkan Snäll, Product Development Manager, Thule Trailers, +46 (0)705 605595