Horses -- why do horse transporters invariably have the word HORSES on the back?

[Pinotage]

Horse transport lorries invariably have the word HORSES or RACE HORSES painted on the back. Why?

Lorries carrying cattle or sheep don't have COWS or SHEEP painted on them and I am at a loss to understand what the HORSE information is meant to convey to other drivers.

[MrBen5]

In case someone tries to move into it when it parks up...

[ugly_bob]

I think it's there to try to make people more respectful to the vehicle. Basically, they assume that people give a sh1t about horses and wouldn't want to upset them.

[Octavius]

I think generally with farm livestock transportation it is usually clear what is being transported because of the type of vehicle being used and the ability to see the animals themselves. This is not always the case with Horseboxes, therefore where HORSE is emblazoned on the vehicle, this enables motorists and emergency services to be aware of what is or may be inside the box, and act accordingly. Some of these horseboxes look like prison vans!

Horses (registered ones) must travel with a passport, and there are strict licensing rules on horsebox drivers.

[heathfield]

I tell people that 'Horses' is the name of one of the UK's biggest transport companies - you see their vehicles all over the country! Some of them believe me!

[wilsarnie]

LOL Heathfield - Hilarous!

I always thought it was about respect and not tooting your horn or revving your engine too loud near them. It might upset the nervous dears.
Whereas, dare I say, the common cow or pig if in multiple numbers, is probably being transported to the mincing factory.

Sorry veggies.

[wilsarnie]

Sorry, I meant to say that they're being transported to the mincing factory so no-one really cares for them anyway.

[joko]

horses are generally more like pets so the owners tend to only have maybe just a few, and want to make it clear whats in them, as they care for the animal.

the wagons with cattle etc in may have a different animal each time and the transporters don't give a toss about them.

[joko]

also horses are generally not packed into one big lorry, they have an individual box each, specially designed for horses - so perhaps the manufacturers just put it on

[noxlumos]

Well theoretically it obviously alerts the drivers behind you as to what you are carrying and that as a consequence of maybe carrying something with the equivalent value of your average 3 bedroom semi detatched house that is balancing, unable to see where you are going on four spindly and priceless legs, with a highly strung , panick striken, hair brained mind racing madly, that you might brake differently to a vehicle carrying a more conventional load, might have to unexpectedly pull in or might drive slower than they would like. It's just courtesy to other road users that it's there, to explain your sometimes weird driving and give them a chance not to make a nusiance of themselevs by hooting their horn, swerving past you or carshing into the back of you because they've been tailgating you.

[Panic Button]

It makes about as much sense as the people with "baby on board" signs on their cars.

[Octavius]

I doubt a baby/angel/princess on board could get frightened by loud traffic, kick the vehicle door down and bolt down the road though. .

[wilsarnie]

The baby on board sign is for safety. It's so people are aware that if you crash and are thrown 20 feet from the car then they know they have to look for a baby too. Bit useless if Dad keeps it on on the way to work but you know these men...

[andy-hughes]

Noxlomos is right - horses are easily scared, and if spooked, can easily panic and thrash about, the usual consequence of which is a borken leg, and destruction on arrival. In theory, motorists will drive with consideration in view of that fact.

[Panic Button]

Is there a law that horse boxes can only be driven by women? Must be. Have a look next time you see one.

[bubblebubble]

wilsarnie........that was brilliant lol.