A Holiday Classic

by Katie Schaarschmidt

The steady beat of the horses’ hooves is the rhythm of reminiscence. The easy pace reveals things before never seen on a street I thought I knew. I consider a horse drawn carriage ride to be one of the most relaxing outdoor activities and very conducive to thought and good conversation. In my own home town, I am graced by hidden wonders always overlooked in my busy everyday life. When I travel to other destinations, a buggy ride is, in my opinion, the best way to take in the sights.

Something has been sapped from our lives by convenience and speed. I’m sure you’ve heard this statistic before; we now absorb over 3,000 messages per day through television, radio, billboards, cell phones and other technologies that make our world faster and more compact. If you’ve read letters or literature from the eighteenth century, you may wonder how those individuals were able to put such simple thoughts into such beautiful language! I believe it is because they had time to think. Time using simple transportation... walking.... riding in a carriage...sitting by a fire each night, rather than a television.

If you have the opportunity this Christmas to take advantage of a carriage ride, bring along friends and family members for warm holiday conversation. Cuddle up in a blanket and see your own streets as never before. Reconnect with your partner on a cold winter eve. Take the time to think, talk and enjoy the steady beat of devoted hooves.

Note:
Most have heard horror stories of abused carriage horses. As a horse enthusiast and former carriage company owner, I wouldn’t want to endorse support of these enterprises, so I offer these warning signs. If a carriage horse is well fed, you will not see his ribs. A few ripples is acceptable, just as some people have faster metabolisms than others, but I prefer to see no ribs. If the horse is content with his work, his ears will point forward at least half of the time. If his ears prick back and forth, he is probably just listening to his driver and passengers. I talked to my horses all the time. Most driving horses know voice commands and will need to prick their ears towards the driver often. What you do not want to see are both ears pinned back a good portion of the time. This most likely means that the horse is not happy with his working conditions or is possibly in pain. Obviously do not ask a limping horse to pull you in a carriage.
If worked and cared for properly, most driving horses enjoy their work. Before and after your ride, the horse may like a pat on the neck or pet of the nose, but ask your driver first!