Here at Fairytale Horse and Carriage, we pride ourselves on making your fairytales come true. However, the welfare of our horses is one of our top priorities and allows us to provide you with both a memorable and safe experience. It is actually where the real fairytale begins. Our horses comes to us from various walks of life and once part of our team they are part of our Fairytale Horse and Carriage family. This includes the best care, limited working hours and the best part, a forever home. Here are some facts about our incredible equine athletes, our program and their lives here at Fairytale Horse and Carriage.

 

1. Where do you get your horses from?

 

Some of our horses are rescues, some of our horses are purchased from Mennonites and Amish directly, and some of our horses are purchased from people needing to rehome their loved ones. Fairytale Horse and Carriage has rescued several Percherons from auction.

 

2. What do you do with your horses after they finish working for you?

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We believe that any horse that is part of our team deserves the right to retire on our farm. Our horses must be able to work in various environments. Sometimes there are horses we have purchased that do not meet our extremely high expectations. These horses are rehomed to amazing families as trail horses, light driving horses or companion horses. Even if it means us taking a loss, our main concern is ensuring that horses in our care are placed in appropriate homes. 

 

3. What do you do with horses that might not work for pulling carriages?

 

We only use horses for events they are suitable for. For example, our two horses, who were saved from auction, are older in age. Therefore, these horses are only used for Baraat events, which is a five minute walk to the banquet hall with the groom sitting on their backs, something they are very capable of.

 

4. How many times a week do your horses work and how many hours?

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Our driving horses typically work Friday, Saturday, Sunday and not necessarily all three. Many of our horses only work 1 day a week (don't you wish you had that work schedule). A typical day for a driving horse consists of 1-2 hours, with a max of 6 hours. Most of this time includes waiting and taking photos during and between events. 

 

5. Do the horses get food and water while working?

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When working, all horses are provided food and water multiple times, before, after and throughout the event depending on how long it is.

 

6. What breed do you use and why?

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We only use draft horses, Percherons.  These horses weigh an average of about 2000 lbs! They  are capable of pulling four times their body weight, 8000 lbs. Therefore, a carriage with patrons is no sweat off of their backs! When two horses drive together they are actually capable of pulling three times their body weight, 24,000 lbs. These horses are doing what they are built for!

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7. Do the horses like pulling a carriage?

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Our horses enjoy their jobs! Just like you enjoy getting out of the house our horses enjoy the same change of scenery. Exercise is good for horses, just like it is good for you and I. A working horse is a happy a horse. 

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8. What is the upkeep needed for your horses?

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Our horses receive the best possible care. This includes horses having up to date vaccinations and worming, farrier care every 6 weeks and additional veterinary care as needed. Our horses have 24 hour access to top quality, locally grown hay (some from our very own fields), fresh water from drinking post waterers and large shelters. Grain is provided to working horses, young horses and older horses. 

 

9. Why do you shoe your horses? Why are their hooves sparkly?

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Some of our carriage horses are shod. This means they have metal/rubber shoes on their hooves. This is for their protection and safety, as well as yours. Experienced farriers ensure shoeing a horse is painless. The shoes provide protection and grip to the horses hooves against the pavement. Depending on the event our horses hooves may have sparkles, this is for decorative purposes. The application of sparkles is applied with a biodegradable oil.

 

10. How much room do the horses have in their pastures?

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Our facility is a private acreage where horses have ample room to gallop and play with their herd.

 

11. Do you have a barn?

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Our facility includes a barn with large stalls, standing stalls, and an indoor heated wash stall. This allows horses to be out of the weather when needed, washed the night before for events and allowed to dry in a warm barn.

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