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COMMON QUESTIONS
Where do the horses live?
We are nestled on agricultural land just outside the historic district. There, we have an open-air barn with 8 large stalls. In the stalls, there are self-filling water buckets for endless water and at least 6 inches of fresh shavings atop rubber mats. We also have rows of fans along the ceiling to keep the horses cool and a fly-repellent system that goes on a timer. We have 3 separate paddocks with shade, fresh grass and water, and dry shelter. An equine veterinarian visits regularly and each horse gets a new set of shoes every 6 weeks. We can proudly say our horses are so much more than just our coworkers. They are our family. Our horses give us their best and we give them ours. We work together, train together, and sometimes we even eat together.
How many tours do our horses do during a shift?
No more than 6 tours during the daytime shift and no more than 5 tours during the nighttime shift. Our horses only work one of these shifts in a day, not both. Our horses also get a 15-minute break in between tours and water during that time as well as mid-way through the tour. In the summer we start early to beat the heat and go back to the barn if it gets too hot. If it is much too hot we will cancel tours and stay at the barn. We also head for the barn in extreme rain or thunder. After a tour, the horses get a nice bath, healthy treats, and at least 2 days off a week. While it is "work", our horses are not burdened. Doing tours offers the horses an opportunity for exercise and socialization. believe it or not, our horses like working. Working gives them a sense of purpose and motivation. If we see that a horse's heart is no longer into pulling carriages then we retire them to pasture.
Is the carriage heavy for them?
Our largest single-horse carriage weighs 1,025 lbs, and can hold up to 8 people, averaging at 1,400 lbs. This makes our heaviest carriage about 2,400 lbs when full. It sounds like a lot of weight, but the average draft horse can pull around 8,000 lbs. Statistically speaking, a full carriage is equivalent to an adult pulling a shopping cart with 5 watermelons inside. Our teams of 2 horses can handle up to 24,000 lbs!
How much do they eat?
We have put a lot of research into our horse's nutrition. Each horse has a specialized diet that may include grains, sunflower seeds, electrolytes, and supplements such as vitamin E and Omega 3. We customize each horse's meals based on their needs and preferences. Some like their meals crunchy, while others like their meals wet and soggy! They also get fresh hay and alfalfa. These delicious and balanced meals are given 3 times a day. Not to mention the occasional treats and fresh grass to chow down on.
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