Ifor Williams Trailers is dealing with complaints about mould growth in early batches of its HB506 and HB511 horse trailers.
Numbers of boxes were treated in December 2008 following mould growth on glass-reinforced plastic panels in trailers made between April and October 2008.
Then, in November 2009, Ifor Williams advised customers the mould could return.
“We requested purchasers to take their trailer to their local distributor for it to be rectified free of charge,” said company spokesman Ceidiog Hughes.
“We are disappointed that materials supplied by a third party are below the standard acceptable. We have been assiduous in formulating an acceptable remedy.”
The HB506 was named the best horsebox in Europe by German equestrian magazine Cavallo last November.
But one angry customer, who wished to be unnamed, told H&H: “The trailers tow well, look nice and travel the horses well, but the build is rubbish.”
As well as a mouldy roof, he says he has had problems with tie points pulling out of the wall, rusting ramp hinges, breast and breach bars coming undone and a sticking jockey door.
Another H&H reader says her horse has become a nervous traveller after the breach bar became undone in transit, hitting him on the hocks.
And Scott Evans of Basildon, Essex, says he is considering legal action against Ifor Williams over his £4,500 HB 511, bought in August 2008.
“It was treated in January 2009 but within two months the spores were back. It was treated again, but is still mouldy. The jockey door has stuck and the lights have filled with water.”
Mr Hughes said Mr Evans’ box was cleaned in January and November 2009.
“Mr Evans has been advised that [the problems with the lights and jockey door] can be rectified and we are awaiting his response,” said Mr Hughes.
He said the company was not aware of concerns about breach bars or ramp hinges, but customers could contact: 01490 412626.
This article was first published in Horse & Hound (1 April, ’10)
