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Richardson Rice Trailers continues to prove its commitment to animal welfare by adopting white roof sheets , with a white reverse, as a standard specification to all models in the Richardson Supreme range. Managing Director Graham Hall explains, "Late last year, DEFRA published their animal welfare delivery strategy, seeking to eradicate, amongst other things, discomfort, fear and distress in animals in transit, and we wholeheartedly support them. The welfare of the animals transported in our trailers is of huge importance to us, and we are constantly striving to offer the highest standards of comfort and safety achievable.

"The switch to white roof sheets should help us to see improved levels of animal comfort in two ways. The first is quite obvious; whilst this year may not have been a shining example, if the predictions of climate change prove to be true, we will see increased temperatures in the summer, a time of great equestrian activity, and the reflective qualities of the white exterior coating to the roof sheets, in conjunction with the enhanced ventilation already introduced earlier this year, will help to keep the interior of our trailers, and consequently the occupants, as cool as possible.

"The second benefit may not be as self-evident as the first, but for some will be just as important, if not more so. Many horses and ponies earn themselves the reputation as "bad loaders". The reasons may be varied and numerous, but the effects are the same: Distress for the anmial, and exasperation for the handler. Anything we, as manufacturers, can do to alleviate the problem will be well received by both parties, and one benefit of the white roof sheets having a white reverse on the inside of the trailer is the creation of an increased sense of light and airiness, making the interior as inviting as possible to a nervous loader.

"One handy trick to help the boxing of reluctant loaders is to have the dome door and front ramp (or in the case of the rear-facing trailers, the rear top doors and back ramp) open, so as to appear to offer a clear "exit" route, though leaving the breast bars in place to prevent a quick walk-through. With the dome door and front unload ramp fully open, light is allowed to flood in to the trailer, and that light is now reflected all around the interior, illuminating what may have appeared to a bad loader as dark and threatening, hopefully thereby reducing stress considerably in even the most reluctant of loaders".