The Elston Horse Ambulance has been in service for 5 years, used by The Jockey Club operations at Haydock, Aintree, Cheltenham and Warwick racecourses.
Safety
Safety is paramount to both the animal and handlers alike
The interior has radius corners with no square edges and is lined in 12mm rubber, with generous working space to distance from animal.
Ground lowering
No ramps, reducing the angle for both entry and exit
Design includes a herringbone straight line entry and exit to prevent any undue twisting or turning of an injured animal with skeletal or muscle injury.
Soft-ride air suspension
Fitted with a soft ride suspension to reduce shock to animal, the handler and the course
Trailer air suspension causes the least impact to the animal, course and handler, whilst allowing for high-speed and it is roadworthy. The air suspension design allows the ride height of the trailer to be adjusted to accommodate various towing vehicles.
The Horse Ambulance working group:
The story so far
A history of the Elston
Horse Ambulance
Simon Elston of Elston Trailers was approached by The Jockey Club at Haydock Park racecourse to establish whether a bespoke ground lowering horse ambulance could be built.
Simon demonstrated Elston Air Suspension, used on both towable welfare units and ground lowering trailers. The Jockey Club, under Kirkland Tellright, established a working group including the The Jockey Club and other associated bodies – RHA , Mounted Police, Veterinary Society and Race Course Association.
Length (body)
4500mm
Width
2350mm
Internal height
2200mm
Rear ramp width
1500mm
Front ramp width
1050mm
Gross weight
3000kg
Capacity
1050kg
Length with drawbar
6000mm
Height
2800mm
Grooms door width
650mm
Rear ramp height
1800mm
Front ramp height
1700mm tall
1950kg (spec. depending)
Under floor waste tank capacity
360 litres
Lighting
Interior lights
Number plate
Removable
Coupling
50mm ball c/w lock
Testing
VOSA IVA
Road lighting
12-24 volt via 13 pin plug
Brakes
Knott auto reverse with parking brake
Wheels
4 x 1.85/70 13 c/w wheel, brace & jack
Jockey wheel
Adjustable height side winder
Suspension
Elston air suspension
Compressors
2 x 12 volt, oil free
Reservoir
22 litre
Batteries
2 x 12 volt 90ah
Monitoring
Battery condition meter
Shock absorbers
Gas-filled c/w wire check straps
Operation
Push button raise & lower
Operating pressure
10 bar
Charging
Vehicle via 13 pin plug or 240v mains
Power cut off
Battery isolator switch
Frame
Hollow rolled steel section
Chassis
Hot dipped galvanised
Body
11mm GRP white
Floor
4.5mm alu chequer plate
Roof
Aluminium white
Internal mudguards
Stainless c/w rubber top
Ventilator
1 x Fetner spinner
Skylight
1 x 14” sq fully-opening
Welding
Electrically welded
Waste tanks
Steel powder coated
Fender
External rub rail
Hinges
Stainless steel with rubber overlay
Fender
External rub rail
Stall
40 mm RHS frame
Flank support
Vinyl / sponge clad c/w shoot bolts
Windows
5 x 18” x 9” 50-50 sliding
Optional extras
PVC side screens 5 mts long in bag
Drag sheet
12 volt electric winch with fairlead and wander lead with remote control
Special paintwork and logos available
Camera - internally view animal in transit
