Tally-Ho Horse Care 101

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How We Make Outstanding Horse Care Our Top Priority

A big part of horse care, no matter what they do or where they live, lies in having access to a good equine vet and a caring family. 

Whether down on the farm or pulling carriages on city streets, caring for a horse’s health is just one important part of the whole picture. 

To care for even a single horse, never mind a whole herd, you must ensure their Five Freedoms and work to create a solid human/horse relationship. 

Tally Ho Carriage Tours is passionate about providing the highest quality care for our horses. Read on to learn how we do it.

The Human and Horse Partnership

Since their domestication over 6,000 years ago, horses and humans have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship that involves companionship, care and help when needed.

The connection between humans and horses can bring out the best in both sides, but it’s the responsibility of the human half of the partnership to provide quality care and be fair in what they ask of the horse.

This deep connection plays a big part in what keeps our horses happy at Tally-Ho. To build that connection, we partnered with a top expert in the field of horsemanship to develop a training program that benefits both our horses and human staff.

Our carriage horses need training on the job too. Horses that are new to carriage driving are placed with highly experienced drivers who can help them adapt to the job with confident guidance. Our ultimate goal is to help the horses become calmer, braver, smarter and more athletic on a daily basis, which makes them more comfortable in all of their surroundings.

A Horse’s Five Freedoms

No matter the breed, where they live, or what they do, anyone keeping horses must ensure they meet The Five Freedoms for good physical and mental health. 

  1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst – we give our horses access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to high-quality haylage and supplement their diets with additional vitamins and minerals.
  2. Freedom from Discomfort – we go to great lengths to provide a healthy, quality living environment on Hidden Acres Farm. Our paddocks are kept mud-free, the horses always have access to clean drinking water and shelter and they are blanketed as necessary in all weather conditions.
  3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease – our horses receive top-notch health care through the work of our equine specialist veterinarian, farriers and health practitioners that provide physical treatments. More on this below. 
  4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour – all our horses are kept in mini-herds, ranging from 5 – 12 animals per paddock. Each horse is matched to the paddock that they best fit based on temperament to create and maintain friendships with one another. 
  5. Freedom from Fear and Distress – horses are naturally scared of their environments without proper training. For this reason, we highly emphasize our horse development program and horsemanship. 

Tally Ho Horse Care 101

Tally Ho’s staff and owners are as passionate about horse care as they are about providing a quality service in the heart of Victoria. After all, there would be no service without the horses. 

These are some of the main ways we take care of our family of horses:

  • A quiet home. The horses of Tally Ho Carriage Tours live at Hidden Acres Farm, a quiet place to relax, run around and play with their herd mates a mere 25 minutes from Victoria. 
  • Limited work. We carefully monitor how much each horse works and adjust according to their individual needs to ensure their physical and mental fitness. On average, each horse works less than 3 months throughout the year.
  • Feeding and watering. Our horses have abundant access to feed and fresh water both at home and while working. Their diet is specially formulated by an equine nutritionist and adjusted for each horse’s individual needs to ensure they maintain a healthy body condition.
  • Hoof health. Tally Ho’s certified farriers are at the farm twice a week to maintain the hoof health of our herd and fit them with shoes specially designed for walking on pavement. 
  • Harnessing. A harness is specially ordered to ensure proper fit and comfort for our working horses. It is cleaned and adjusted regularly, as a poorly fitted harness can cause discomfort to the horse, leading to unsafe behaviour.
  • Emergency medical care. Each carriage, point of sale, staging area and the barn is equipped with an equine emergency kit and our staff are all trained in emergency horse care. Additionally, the details of any horse requiring or receiving medical treatment are displayed in our barn to allow for consistent daily application and monitoring.
  • Veterinary care. A specialist equine vet provides medical care as needed and is always consulted when potential problems arise.
  • Therapeutic massage and chiropractic care. Tally Ho uses chiropractic medicine and Deep Oscillation Therapy to relieve soreness and strains, ensuring maximum comfort and health for our horses.
  • Easy retirement. When our horses reach the end of their working life, they are free to live out the rest of their lives at Hidden Acres Farm, where they can be with their herd and their loving human family.

A Four-Legged Family

At Tally Ho, every horse in our herd is a part of the family. So, we treat them with as much love, care and respect as we treat each other to ensure they are happy and healthy at work and home. After all, a healthy horse is a happy horse.

When you see our carriage horses around downtown Victoria or rural Saanichton, you see them doing what they love: pulling carriages and spending time with their human partners. 

Contact us today to book a carriage tour around beautiful Victoria, BC, or see our horses at their home on one of our farm tours. 

A History of How Work Horses Have Helped Humans Over the Ages

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A History of Horses Timeline 

For many animal lovers, work horses are revered as the world’s most majestic creatures. In fact, the working horse has often been referred to as the most indispensable gentle giant in the history of human development. 

Throughout history, whether these work horses pulled armoured centurions around a battle arena or transported food to market, they did it with beauty and power.

Carriage horses are valued members of the team at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours. With many draft breeds facing extinction, Tally-Ho is committed to caring for and maintaining these work horse breeds. We treat them with the utmost care and comfort, and as a result, our horses live up to ten years longer than the average life expectancy of these breeds.

Read on to learn about the origin of horses and how “horse power” has transformed the way humans work and live together in so many incredible ways. 

History of Horses Timeline

As the Pleistocene (last ice age) period approached, massive glaciers isolated many horses. Over millions of years, these horses evolved distinct character traits that allowed them to survive in their environments.

Early horse migration occurred across the Bering Land Bridge, which allowed horses to spread from the Americas into Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The first heavy horse, the Black Horse of Flanders (considered the father of all modern draft horses), settled in Northern France and Belgium.

14th Century 

Working horses date back to the 14th century. The Middle Ages were when excelling in knighthood went hand in hand with horsemanship. When lightweight armour designed to protect knights and their brave steeds in battles and jousting tournaments became heavier, so did the horse required to carry it all. Historians claim many modern horses are descendants of the Destrier.

15th Century

The ancient wild horses that once populated the Americas drifted to extinction and were reintroduced by European colonists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Initially, small horses were imported due to shipping constraints. But eventually, draft horses also made the perilous journey across the open water.

16th Century

In the Ancient Near East, 16th century-advancements in the chariot and harness designs led to increased chariot warfare. During this period, the invention of the stirrup, horse collar and saddle revolutionized horsemanship, and soon mounted cavalry replaced the chariot.

17th Century

Although the Hackney was bred as a riding horse in England as early as the 14th century, it wasn’t until 1729 that it was coupled with an Arabian to produce the first heavy-built Norfolk Roadster. With the improvement of roads, the modern Hackney’s value rose as a high-stepping harness horse. But, by 1883, the breed’s decline began with the advent of the railroad.

18th Century

Battle cavalry was crucial for victory during the Napoleonic wars of the 18th century. Similarly, Indigenous people were trained in mounted warfare tactics in the Americas. As a result, they became part of highly mobile horse regiments essential in the American Civil War.

The Conestoga Horse and the Vermont Drafter were bred outside of the war in North America. These draft horses replaced oxen as farm machinery revolutionized. The smaller equipment size made horses more suitable than oxen. Heavy draft horses were also better suited to frozen winter roads and fields.

The use of draft horses peaked during America’s westward expansion and with agricultural technology improvements. It wasn’t uncommon to see giant combines pulled by teams of forty-plus draft horses. The average Midwestern wheat farm during this period had ten horses. It was also during the 1800s that improvements were made to the breeding, care and feeding of horses.

In 1849 gold fever swept through the United States. Local ponies from Indigenous people were initially used to carry supplies and haul gold and other minerals to the railway depots. As the gold rush progressed, ponies were replaced by draft horses. Massive quantities of charcoal were required for smelting, and draft horses hauled the logs to fuel the process.

Draft horse-powered mass transit allowed cities to expand. By the late 1800s, over 100,000 horses and mules operated as horse-car lines. During this time, businesses began advertising with decorated wagons powered by teams of draft horses that averaged 2000 pounds each. This was the beginning of the show era.

19th Century

Throughout the 19th century, westward migration exploded, fuelled by the promise of free land. In addition, virgin soil that required tilling increased the demand for draft horses that powered farm equipment. Over 27,000 Clydesdales, Suffolks, Shires, Percherons and Belgians were present in America at this time. 

Heavy horses were also instrumental in building railways. They carried ties, rails, supplies, and the ore and soil excavated from mountain tunnels. 

By the end of the 19th century, stagecoach lines with teams of six draft horses carried mail and passengers over rough and dangerous roads.

20th Century

In the 20th century, the role of horses in warfare changed. While scouts used horses for surveillance and draft horses were used to transport troops and supplies, cavalry horses were no longer needed for trench warfare.

Additionally, improvements in gasoline and electric-powered engines led to a swift decline in horse use. Horse-drawn hearses were one of the last modes of transportation to be modernized.

As the 1950s approached, many breeders went out of business, and the number of Shires and Suffolks dropped so low that by 1985 that they were listed as rare.

21st Century

Today the role of work horses in the military looks much different. Horses are mainly used for historical re-enactments, law enforcement and equestrian competitions. However, small mounted units may still patrol or provide reconnaissance.

Modern draft horses are making a comeback as pleasure animals. With registrations steadily rising, they can be found in show rings and competitions across North America.

The forestry service, therapeutic riding programs, sustainable agriculture, tourism and lessons are all industries where you might find heavy work horses used in the 21st century.

Tally-Ho Carriage Tours – Committed to The Horse!

See first-hand how Tally Ho’s working horse team is cared for on a behind-the-scenes tour experience at Hidden Acre Farms. Enjoy hands-on time with these rare large breeds and learn about their care, comfort, specialized equipment, training and human partnerships.

Our dedication to work horses, enthusiasm for people, service excellence and high safety standards date back to 1903 when Tally-Ho was established as Victoria’s first horse-drawn tourism service. 

We offer a variety of carriage tours throughout Victoria, BC and can even help you craft the custom horse-drawn experience of your dreams. Contact us for more information or to book a tour today.

 

 

 

A Day in the Life of a Tally-Ho Working Horse

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How Work Horses Enjoy Daily Living 

There’s something magical about seeing majestic heavy draft horses in action. These historical working horse breeds have done many important jobs over the years and are still active to this day, although you are more likely to see them pulling a cart of sightseers than working the land.

If you’ve visited Victoria, BC, you may have seen Tally Ho Carriage’s draft horses pulling sightseeing carriages around the city, but have you ever wondered how they spend the rest of their day? 

At Tally-Ho, the care of our horses is taken seriously, and every equine partner is treated as family. Our horses’ health and well-being are paramount and reflected in how they spend their day. Mind, body and soul are nurtured on our acreage in Saanichton, ensuring the highest quality of life. 

Read on to learn what a typical day looks like for one of our equine team from horse grooming to how they get their horse rest. 

What is a Working Horse?

Does the image of a cowboy in a cowboy hat rustling cattle come to mind?  Well, work horses actually date back to the 14th century, and it is believed that many modern horses are descendants of the Destrier, a war horse from the middle-ages.

Horses have played significant roles beyond cattle rustling throughout history, for example, acting as police horses and companion animals. Before the invention of vehicles, horses were essential in some industries, such as driving plows or transporting goods or people.

Clydesdale, Suffolk, Shires, Percheron and Belgians are some of the most common breeds of heavy-working horses. At Tally-Ho, we consider our role in maintaining these breeds, many of which are threatened by extinction, an honour and a privilege.

What a Day in The Life of a Tally-Ho Working Horse Looks Like

When they are not working, our equine friends spend their time living the good life on our Hidden Acres Farm in Saanich. BC.  A typical day in the life of our working horses will involve:

Breakfast Time 

Not surprisingly, like their caretakers, horses start their day with breakfast. At Tally-Ho, a specially formulated haylage crop is the primary horse food. In addition, they receive supplementary grains formulated by equine nutritionists and customized based on their unique needs and body types.

Tally-Ho’s team of twenty-one working horses consume a staggering 400 round bales annually and over 36,000 pounds of supplements. 

Health and Hygiene

An essential part of maintaining horse health at Hidden Acres Farm is ensuring clean stalls and paddocks. 

Our entire team of professionals is devoted to caring for the horses, and their needs are always tended to immediately. Specialized dental and foot care, chiropractic adjustments and deep tissue oscillation therapy are just some treatments beyond basic horse care that we use at Tally Ho.

Grooming Before Work 

Caring for our working horse’s coat and feet are as critical as food and water. In addition, regular grooming decreases health conditions such as thrush and skin diseases. 

Consistent grooming establishes a positive, trusting relationship between the horse and the groomer. A list of the tools specific to grooming includes:

  • Dandy – horse brush
  • Body – horse brush
  • Hoof Picker
  • Cloth Sponge
  • Curry Comb
  • Water – horse brush
  • Wisp
  • Sweat Scraper
  • Shedding Blade

Harnessing

If our horses work that day, they are harnessed and outfitted as required. Behind the scenes, staff ensure the beautiful carriage horse tack is polished, clean, well-fitted and in top working order. 

Pre-Trip

A “pre-trip” inspection is done for each horse twice daily: once at the barn as the horse is taken from his paddock and again before the horse is hooked to a carriage. This key safety measure and horse health check is a trademark of Tally Ho’s commitment to the horse that sets them above and beyond other carriage companies.

Pre-trip involves:

  • A full body inspection of the horse to assess for any new scrapes or cuts
  • A soundness check
  • An emotional fitness check to ensure the horse is mentally ready for his day

If any of these checks fail, they treat the issue, reassess and determine if the horse is fit to work. He will remain on the farm if he’s not mentally and physically fit that day. 

Warm Up 

Before any work is started for the day, each horse is thoroughly warmed up and walked off. Exercise is part of our working horse’s typical day, even if it’s their day off. 

On the Job

Our horses are trucked from Hidden Acres Farm to downtown Victoria on working days. Two shifts per day operate during peak season with up to six carriages per shift. 

Pulling a carriage is a low-impact activity for our draft horses. They can easily pull a wheeled vehicle six times their weight, and because their health is monitored so diligently, our horses often live ten years longer than average.

As for any job, training is required for our heavy draft horses and their drivers. Taly-Ho’s horsemanship program, developed in partnership with leading industry experts, builds relationships based on trust between each horse and driver.

 Grooming After Work

After each shift, the horses are immediately unharnessed and groomed. This forms part of the “post-trip” inspection, where each horse is checked to ensure they are well after their day of work. Horses are also stretched out and provided time to cool down before being trucked home to enjoy well-earned rest. 

A good grooming routine brings many health benefits, such as increased circulation. A typical grooming routine includes: 

  1. Clean hooves 
  2. Dry the horse
  3. Sponge bath
  4. Hand rub
  5. Brush
  6. Curry comb to remove sweat and dirt
  7. Use a wisp to massage and relax muscles
  8. Polish with rubber
  9. Clean ears, eyes, nose and dock

Farriers

At Tally-Ho, certified farriers visit weekly to provide pedicures, watch for changes in horse hooves and create special shoes that optimize support. The work of farriers is a significant component of the horses’ overall health at the farm. 

Dinner Time 

Balanced nutrition is vital; a large part of our horse’s diet consists of water. Draft horses drink a lot of water. Some require up to 91 litres daily. A fresh, clean and plentiful water supply is provided daily, both at the farm and while working.

Feeding the large team of carriage horses with body weights upwards of 1800 pounds takes up a large part of Tally-Ho’s operating budget.

Bedtime 

To ensure each horse is comfortable while sleeping, adequate bedding, forage and a serene environment are provided. If it’s cold, our horses are rugged, confirming the blanket fits correctly and is comfortable and temperature specific.

Have you ever wondered how horses sleep? Read on for some interesting facts:

  1. Horses sleep standing up.
  2. Horses have an average sleep time of 3 hours per day.
  3. Horses may also sleep lying down; however, they can become stuck, requiring careful handling.
  4. When space is limited to lie down, horses higher in the hierarchy will assert their privilege.
  5. Insecure horses may need a companion to sleep.
  6. Horses dream.

What Character Traits Do Tally-Ho Horses Have in Common?

Tally-Ho’s carriage horses enjoy their work. They are chosen for their calm behaviour, ability to trust people and adaptability to new situations. We would never force a horse to work if it wasn’t happy.

You can meet the horses that make up our family at Hidden Acres Farms in Victoria, BC. 

Tally-Ho Carriage Tours – Uniquely Charming and Famously Fun

From weddings to city tours to corporate events, let Tally-Ho, Victoria’s original transportation company, make your occasion one to be remembered.

With outstanding service dating back to 1850, Tally-Ho Carriage Tours will help you craft the custom horse-drawn experience of your dreams. Contact us today for a quote.

 

Horse Brasses: How to Identify Them and What They Mean

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The History and Present Use of Horse Brasses

If you have ever watched a parade of horses, you’ve likely seen horse brasses on the leather straps that attach the horses to the carriage they are pulling.

Brasses are most commonly seen in use on draft and cart horses. 

A Brief History of Horse Brasses

Unless you know a thing or two about horse tack, chances are you haven’t given much thought to them serving any purpose beyond making the horse look pretty. 

Decking horses out with brasses is a practice that’s been around since before the Romans, although the metal used then was not actually brass but rather bronze. It is thought that horse brasses in pre-Roman times were amulets used to ward off evil spirits. While this may have been true, horse brasses on leather straps were more widely used as status symbols for the wealthy.

The development and use of brass in horse tack did not occur until the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st (1559-1603) in England. Even with the introduction of brass, a brass-like alloy of copper and zinc known as “latten” was commonly used until at least 1830. 

The English town of Walsall, already established as a prominent place for the manufacture of horse tack from 1830 on, became a sort of landmark for the production of—and growing interest in—horse brasses.

From large producers down to solitary craftspeople, the manufacture of horse brasses grew from that point until some 2000 designs had come into existence.

These days, horse brasses can be found decorating the saddlery of working horses regardless of the social class of the horse’s owner or handler. Brasses have also been made as commemorative pieces for horse clubs, corporations or event coordinators and are often used as decorations in pubs and restaurants. 

As jewellery, horse brasses have even crossed the species barrier to become a popular motif for necklaces and earrings. 

To this day, all additional uses aside, brasses are still used in horse finery.

Common Motifs on Horse Brasses

Although there are over 2,000 horse brass designs in existence, there are some designs and motifs that are commonly found, such as: 

  • The crescent moon was considered to be lucky by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
  • Apollo’s lyre is a motif that comes from Greek mythology.
  • Trees and barnyard animal motifs were popular with farmers.
  • Family crests and heraldic motifs were used by the titled gentry.
  • Trade-related motifs, such as brewery barrels, were used by people associated with those trades.
  • Hearts, moons, stars and so on have Romany origins.

Manufacturing Methods for Horse Brasses

There were two traditional ways of manufacturing horse brasses: casting and stamping.

The casting method is the oldest way of manufacturing these horse decorations. The patterns were first created in lead, which was then pressed into tightly packed sand-filled boxes, with up to 10 to a box. Small channels were made in the sand, connecting each pattern indentation so that molten metal could pass from one indentation to the next. After the metal cooled, the patterns would be separated from each other and then sanded and polished smooth. This finishing process used to be done by hand, but it is now done with machinery.

The stamping method came along around 1880. It involved using a fly press to stamp a pattern onto sheets of metal, one punch at a time. In later years, machines were developed that could stamp out an entire design at one time. 

After WWI, the demand for heavy horse harness furnishings died down considerably, and the stamping method of production suffered as a result. It was through the work of small-time manufacturers specializing in casting that horse brasses lived on and eventually enjoyed a renewed interest. 

Horse Brass Use Today

Where horse brasses used to be status symbols for the wealthy and then tack furnishings for draft and carriage horses, they are now largely used in parades or other events where a horse’s finery is expected to be displayed. For example, a carriage driver that has been hired for a wedding may deck their horses out in brasses to fit the elegance of the occasion. 

In addition to their traditional use on horses, brasses are also used in several other ways, including:

  • As decorations in homes, pubs, country clubs, restaurants and many other social spots. 
  • As jewellery.
  • As commemorative art for important events, such as royal coronations.
  • As advertising.
  • As souvenirs for places and social events.

While horse brasses are not among the most financially valuable collector’s items, they do enjoy immense popularity. In this way, they have a kind of value that money simply cannot buy. Theirs is the value of history, culture and charm.

Are Horse Brasses Lucky?

Things that are considered to bring good luck are generally items that are steeped in history and superstition, such as the horseshoe, the lucky rabbit’s foot, or the 4-leaf clover.

  • In the case of the horseshoe, hanging a horseshoe—open end up—over a doorway is said to accumulate luck for the household. 
  • As for the rabbit’s foot, the animal itself was considered to be sacred by many early civilizations, so it was thought that having a rabbit’s foot as a talisman would bring one good fortune. 
  • Finding a 4-leaf clover was such a rarity that the Irish felt the extra leaf brought good luck to those who found one or had it on their person.

The horse brass is, likewise, steeped in history and superstition. If you consider that horse brasses used to be thought of as amulets to protect a horse (and thus its handler) by warding off evil spirits, then they sit alongside the best of the best as a good luck charm. 

At Tally Ho Tours, we treat our draft horses as if they are the luckiest of good luck charms: with love and respect. 

Stop by our tour location in downtown Victoria, BC, to meet some of our horses and drivers face to face, or book one of our carriage tours to make memories that will last a lifetime. 

 

A Day in the Life of a Horse Carriage Driver

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What it Takes to Drive a Horse and Carriage

Maybe you’ve passed by a horse-drawn carriage on the busy streets of downtown Victoria, BC, or maybe you’ve watched a pair of horses with a fancy Landau, carrying a newly married bride and groom. 

Perhaps you’ve looked at the person perched at the front of the horse carriage and wondered what it takes to become a horse and carriage driver for a company like Tally Ho Carriage Tours.

Humans and horses have been working closely together since 6,000 BCE, so it’s no surprise that we’ve developed tried and true methods to communicate with our equine friends. A big part of becoming a carriage driver is learning these communication methods and learning mutual trust.

Keep reading to find out more about the role and duties of a horse-drawn carriage driver, the breeds of horses that usually pull carriages and the types of carriages that can be pulled.

How to Become a Horse Carriage Driver

When a new carriage driver joins the team at Tally Ho, they receive rigorous training to learn gentle communication skills as well as how to look after the carriage horses while they are working.

Aside from an obvious interest and experience with horses, you will need to have the following skills to become a successful horse carriage driver:

  • Excellent communication skills. A large part of the job involves talking with the public and your passengers.
  • The ability to follow the local laws governing horse carriage driving. Each municipality will have carriage-specific laws you will need to be familiar with.
  • The ability to handle a horse that is operating in a highly stimulating environment. Busy streets require a high degree of environmental and situational awareness. You need to be able to anticipate issues and support your horse if they become uncertain.
  • The ability to provide care for the horse during and after their shift. Your horse will require grooming, feeding and watering during their work hours. Tally Ho horses work short shifts after which they return to Hidden Acres Farm to relax and recover.
  • The ability to educate and inform people. Rarely does the general public have knowledge of how a carriage company operates. Acting as an ambassador, you will be expected to pass along the history of the company, how it develops the horse-human connections, its horse care practices and its ethics, values and culture.
  • Knowledge of the local tourist highlights and traffic concerns. This kind of local knowledge will not only improve your passengers’ experience but it will also help you navigate the streets easier.
  • The ability to pass a criminal record check. Not all carriage tour companies require this but being able to pass a criminal record check will go a long way toward helping you get hired.

A Day in the Life of a Tally Ho Carriage Driver

A typical shift for a carriage driver working for Tally Ho Tours in Victoria, BC may include:

  • Starting your shift by greeting, grooming and preparing the horse(s) and carriage for the day. This will include ensuring the horses have appropriate food and water while working; ensuring they are both physically and mentally fit for their workday; and checking all carriage driving equipment is in good condition and proper working order.
  • Guiding passengers on a variety of tours ranging from short city tours around the downtown core to longer tours that take in the beauty of Beacon Hill Park. Carriage drivers learn interesting anecdotes about the areas they tour around to share with guests.
  • Sometimes our drivers are lucky enough to be part of someone’s special day such as a babymoon, engagement or wedding celebration. 
  • Throughout any tour, drivers are alert to everything going on around them and continuously communicate with the horse(s) through words and the use of the lines and bit.
  • After tours, drivers ensure the horse receives water and food, and checks on all the tack to ensure the horse remains comfortable.

Common Types of Horse-Drawn Carriages

As a horse carriage driver, you may be asked to guide your horse(s) to pull a variety of carriages ranging from small 2-person carriages to ones that hold larger groups. The most common passenger-carrying horse carriages in use are:

The Landau. The Landau is a type of 4-wheeled luxury carriage, featuring a folded roof that can be raised or lowered as needed. This type can seat up to 6 passengers, with a low shell design that allows for easy entry and for the occupants to show off their finery.

The Phaeton. The Phaeton is essentially a lighter version of the Landau. It can be pulled by one or two horses and is designed to seat 2 passengers. Featuring 4 large wheels and a lightly sprung body, this faster carriage became popular among royalty during the Regency Era.

The Buggy. The buggy is a light, 2-wheeled carriage designed to carry up to 2 passengers. It features a foldable roof that can be raised or lowered as needed and was a popular mode of transportation from the 18th to the 20th centuries. 

The Stagecoach. Commonly seen now in western and other period movies, the stagecoach provides transport for up to 6 passengers in a closed cab that protects them from the elements. Stagecoaches are typically pulled by a team of 6 horses or more because of their heavy weight.

The Hackney Coach. The Hackney Coach is one of the oldest 4-wheeled designs. It is lighter than the stagecoach, yet still able to seat up to 6 passengers. The Hackney used to function in the same way as the modern taxicab, in that it was hired to transport people from one place to another.

The Best Horse Breeds for Horse-Drawn Carriages

Many different horse breeds have been bred expressly to pull carriages over the centuries. Draft horse breeds are ideal for pulling carriages because they were all bred to pull heavy weights. 

Draft horses can easily pull a wheeled vehicle that is 6 times its weight and most carriage horses are only expending less than 20% of their energy when pulling a wagon on a tour. 

At Tally Ho, we use draft horse breeds to pull our carriages including:

Tip: Find out more about how we train and care for our horses here.

A Carriage Driving Career with Tally Ho Tours

Do you have a lifelong passion for horses that you’d like to turn into a career? Tally Ho Tours is always on the lookout for people with a passion for horses and customer service to join the team. 

We provide extensive training to help our drivers learn to drive draft horses safely as well as develop a trust-based partnership with our horses. 

If you have experience with horses and would like to expand your skills, please email us your resume and a brief synopsis of your equine skills.

All About Tack: Why Horses Wear What They Do

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What Tack is Used When Riding Vs Pulling a Carriage?

Whenever you see a horse with a rider or pulling a carriage, you will notice that it is wearing various straps and harnesses, known collectively as tack. Horse tack is used to help the rider or driver communicate with the horse and ensures both are safe and comfortable.

Depending on the horse’s task, different tack may be required. In this article, we’re going to focus on the type of tack needed when riding a horse and pulling a carriage.

What is Tack And What Is It For?

Horse tack is all the equipment and gear required to handle, ride or harness a horse. Tack is not just one item but a range of things needed for different activities with a horse.

Some of the most commonly seen and used horse tack includes:

  • Bridle
  • Bit
  • Reins
  • Harness
  • Collar
  • Halter
  • Saddle / saddle pad
  • Cinch/Girth
  • Stirrups
  • Lead rope

Why Does Different Tack Need To Be Used Sometimes?

Depending on the horse’s activity, the tack required will be a bit different. Although a few core items will remain constant, some tack items may differ slightly, or you may need some unique equipment.

*Think about how a horse moves when pulling a cart vs doing show jumping, for example, and you can understand why tack needs to be adapted to the activity.

What Tack Is Needed When Riding A Horse?

When riding a horse, there is different tack required than when a horse is pulling something. As such, riding requires equipment to keep the rider in place.

Both rider and horse need to be comfortable, and the tack needs to allow for gentle but precise communication between them so the horse understands what the rider is asking it to do. 

Common types of tack required for riding include:

  • Bridle – horses’ headgear, usually made up of a halter (sometimes called a headstall), a bit and reins. 
  • Halter – a piece of equipment, usually made of leather, that wraps around the horse’s head to which a bit, reins, or a lead rope can be attached.
  • Bit – a piece of metal that sits in the horse’s mouth and attaches to the bridle and reins. When the reins are pulled, the bit puts gentle pressure on the side of the horse’s mouth, causing it to change direction. A bit is a crucial communication tool between the rider and horse. Read more about how Tally Ho Carriage Tours train horses to work with bits here.
  • Reins – a leather or rope strap attached to the bit and held by the rider to control movement.
  • Saddle – this is a leather seat for the rider. Different styles are available depending on the type or style of riding you prefer, such as western saddles or racing saddles.
  • Cinch /Girth – a strap that holds the saddle firmly but comfortably against the horse’s body.
  • Stirrups (optional) – foot holders attached to the saddle that make the rider more comfortable and secure

What Tack do Horses Wear to Pull Carriages?

Pulling a carriage or cart requires different tack from riding. The primary purposes of the tack for a carriage pulling horse are:

  • To secure the horse and the carriage together in a way that allows the horse to use their entire body strength to easily move and stop the carriage without risk of discomfort or injury.
  • To ensure the driver can communicate clearly with the horse. This is important when horses are working in unpredictable environments like city streets.

The tack used on a working horse that is pulling a carriage is similar to tack used when riding a horse: bridle, bit, and reins. There are, however, some other vital pieces of horse tack required for this job, including:

  • Harness – a set of straps and devices that attach the horse to the item it is pulling
  • Collar – part of the harness, a pair of curved wooden or metal pieces (called Hames) that help distribute the weight around the horse’s shoulders
  • Traces – leather or chain straps linking the collar to the load
  • Breeching (Britching) strap – a strap that ties behind the horse’s haunches and enables it to slow or stop the item it is pulling

Did You Know? The horses that pull carriages for Tally Ho are all draft horses – breeds with the strength to pull at least 6 times their body weight. Pulling a carriage uses only 20% of this capacity.

Why is Clean and Well-Fitting Tack Important?

Clean and well-fitting tack is essential for the well-being and comfort of the horse (and rider when there is one). Conversely, poorly fitting tack can result in:

  • Saddle slippage – can result in injury or a fall for the rider and rubbing/discomfort for the horse.
  • Sore mouth – if a bit is too large or tight, it will put excess pressure on the horse’s mouth resulting in damage to the soft mouth tissue. As a result, the horse can suffer pain, infection, and inability to respond correctly to commands.

Failure to keep tack clean and sanitary could put the horse at risk of infection and damage the equipment over time, leading to loss. So follow in the footsteps of the team at Tally Ho Carriage Tours and make cleaning of tack your priority after an outing on your horse.

At Tally Ho, our entire team is dedicated to the well-being of our horses and to the safety of our staff and customers. Thanks to our extensive training with our horses, they are all very responsive, which means drivers only need to use minimal pressure when giving instructions. In addition, as you can see in this video, our horses are comfortable in their tack and happy to wear it.

Experience The Strength of Draft Horses on a Carriage Tour with Tally-Ho

Meet our delightful draft horses in person when you take a scenic carriage ride with Tally Ho Carriage Tours. Enjoy a historical tour through the streets of downtown Victoria, BC, a relaxing ride through the country on the Sea Cider Picnic Experience, or one of our special seasonal tours. Contact us today to book your tour.

Horse Breeds – The Shire

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Shire Horses – Facts, Origin & History

We hope you’ve been following along on our Tally-Ho horse breeds mini-series and enjoying getting to know the unique history and characteristics of some of the world’s most beloved draft horse breeds.  So far, we’ve featured the iconic Clydesdale, the majestic Percheron (the horse favoured by medieval knights) and the Belgian. Next up we have another special draft breed, the Shire.

The Origin of the Shire Horse

The Shire is a British breed of draft horse that was formally established in the mid-eighteenth century, although, like many of the draft breeds we’re profiling, the Shire’s origins are much older.

Like that of the Belgian draft horse, historians trace the Shire back to the destriers or the “Great Horse”.  More specifically, the Shire is linked to the time of Henry VIII when the increasing role of gunpowder diminished the use of heavy horses in battle.  Oliver Cromwell’s cavalry sought out lighter, faster mounts and the heavier drafts were relegated to draught work instead.

It was during the sixteenth century that Dutch engineers brought Friesian horses to England to drain the Fenlands – a coastal plain in the east.  It’s believed that the Friesian bloodlines were introduced to domestic draft breeds, influencing what would later become known as the Shire breed.

At the onset of the seventeenth century this medieval hybrid was called the Old English Black.  During this time, a man by the name of Robert Bakewell of Leicestershire, imported six Dutch (or Flanders) mares, resulting in the supposedly superior Bakewell Black horse.  Eventually two different types of black draft horses evolved: the Fen or Lincolnshire type (larger, with more bone and extra hair) and the Midlands or Leicester type (known for their endurance and finer appearance).

The term “Shire Horse” was first referenced in the middle of the seventeenth century with inconsistent records beginning to appear near the end of the eighteenth century.  The famous “Packington Blind Horse” from Leicestershire is commonly recognized as the foundation stallion of the modern-day Shire breed, standing at stud for 15 years – quite a feat in terms of equine life expectancy of that era.

During the nineteenth century, Shire horses were extensively used as cart horses, moving essential goods from the docks, through busy cities and further on to the countryside.  As a result, the English Cart Horse Society was formed in 1878, and only six years later was renamed the Shire Horse Society due to the prevalence of the Shire horses.  Between 1901 and 1914 approximately 5,000 Shire horses were registered each year with the society.

The Modern History of the Shire Horse

The first exported Shires horses reached America in 1853, with large numbers beginning to arrive in the 1880s.  In 1885 the American Shire Horse Association was established as a platform to register and promote the breed domestically.  Nearly 4,000 Shires were imported to the United States between 1900 and 1918 and approximately 6,700 Shires were registered with the association between 1909 and 1911 and the breed continued to flourish both in England and North America, for several years following.

At peak population, the Shire breed numbered over a million.  Around the time of the second world war, increased mechanization rendered draft breeds more and more obsolete.  This, combined with strict regulations on the purchase of livestock feed sadly led to the slaughter of thousands of Shire horses and the closure of several large breeding programs.  The breed fell to its lowest point during the 1950s and 1960s, with only 25 horses registered in the United States.  

In the 1970s, the breed began to be revived through increased public interest.  In Canada, the Shire had been extinct for more than 40 years prior to imports that saw its return in the 1980s.  Breed societies have been established in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, France and Germany and the first World Shire Horse Congress was held in Peterborough in 1996.  The introduction of artificial insemination in 1997 further bolstered the breed.

To this day, however, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust lists the Shire as “at risk” with population numbers estimated to be under 1,500.  In the United States, the Livestock Conservancy lists the breed as “critical” and the Equus Survival Trust calls it “vulnerable”.   There are still reportedly fewer than 300 registered Shires in all of Canada.

Past and Present Uses of the Shire Horse

Like the Belgian Draft horse – and several other heavy breeds – the Shire originated as a war horse.  However, mechanization and the evolution of the breed, very early saw the Shire gain prevalence as a cart horse.

More notably, the Shire was the breed of choice for the delivery of ale from the brewer to the public houses – England’s equivalent to North America’s Budweiser Clydesdales.  A few breweries still maintain this tradition in the UK today, including Wadsworth Brewery in Wiltshire, the Hook Norton and Samuel Smith Breweries in Tadcaster and a handful of others.

The Shire’s superior hauling capacity also made it an excellent candidate for agriculture and logging.  In 1924, at a British exhibition, a pair of Shires was estimated to have pulled a starting load equal to 50 tonnes (or 110,231 lbs), although the exact weight was contested as their pull was said to have exceeded the maximum reading on the dynamometer.  The same pair of Shires returned to competition in a subsequent year and, in wet and slippery footing, still managed to pull a verified 18.5 tonnes (or 40,786 lbs).

In North America, the Shire horse is still used in farm work and private small-scale logging, as well as pleasure driving.  Shire-Thoroughbred crosses have also gained popularity as excellent sport horses under saddle.

Shire Horse Conformation and Colour

Shires are sometimes confused with Clydesdales due to the feathers on their lower legs, a feature that is equally characteristic to the Shire breed, though finer and less voluminous than the Clydesdale’s.  In terms of acceptable breed specifications with registering associations, Shire stallions may be black, bay, brown or grey, but cannot have large amounts of white marking or have coat colours that are roan.  And for UK-based breeding associations, stallions may not be chestnut. The above applies for US associations, except for chestnut stallions, which are acceptable. Mares and geldings, however, are permitted to be roan in both the UK and US. 

A taller draft breed than some, the Shire’s average height sits around 17 – 18 hands high, or 1.72-1.83 metres from the ground to their withers.  Depending on the bloodlines, the build of the Shire can vary in heaviness, ranging from 1,700 – 2,400 lbs.

Setting it apart from the Clydesdale, Percheron and Belgian Drafts that we featured previously, the Shire breed has a long, streamline head that is set on a slightly arched neck that is long in proportion to the body.  However, similar to other draft breeds, the shoulder and chest are deep and wide, the back muscular and short, and the hindquarters long and wide. 

The largest and heaviest horse ever recorded in history was a Shire aptly named Mammoth, but more commonly known as Sampson.  He measured an astounding 21.2 hands high (or 2.18 metres from the ground to the withers) and in his peak, weighed in at a colossal 3,360 lbs.   

Character Traits & Trainability of the Shire Horse

Like so many of the cold-blooded draft breeds, Shires are known for being calm, steadfast, and loyal, which make them exceptionally versatile work horses.  Shires do, however, have their limits and are not shy in communicating when those limits have been reached.

Shires seem to have a desire to understand the objective of what is being asked.  While they will often respond to commands with trusted handlers, without consistency and context, Shires are known to become very stubborn.

Unlike other, hotter horse breeds that may run, or rear or strike out if they feel insecure or disrespected, Shires simply leverage their impressive size and will refuse to move.  Where other training tactics may be used to coerce lighter breeds, Shires are often not phased by these methods and will stand their ground until handlers step up.  

The other side of this innate stubbornness is a level of dedication and loyalty that, when earned, never wains.  This relationship-centric work ethic makes the Shire a sought-after breed the world over.

Meet the Tally-Ho Shire Horses

Tally-Ho is honoured to play a small role in helping to preserve and promote this incredible (and vulnerable) draft breed.  We currently have five purebred Shires in our herd, Annie, Belle, Button and Maggie – and our newest, Trace.

If you’d like to learn more about our beloved Shires, or any members of our herd, you can choose to sponsor a horse or visit our website at www.tallyhotours.com to book a tour to experience these majestic horses in person. Can’t get enough of our gentle horses? Take your very own plush horse home to love. Available in 7.5″ or 12.5″ heights, “Clyde” and “Rimsky” are available in our online gift shop. They come complete with pulling harnesses and make a wonderful keepsake! 

Our Top Picks for Brunch in Victoria BC

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Brunch and a Carriage Tour in Victoria’s Historic James Bay!

With everything going on in the world today, now more than ever, we need to make time to slow things down, reconnect with one another and nourish our bodies and souls.  What better way to honour this than with a weekend brunch and carriage tour?!  

At Tally-Ho, we know the healing powers of horses and the joy that comes when we spend time in their presence.  We’re lucky enough to be able to host our carriage tours in some of the most beautiful parts of Victoria’s Inner Harbour and the historical James Bay.  Not only are these picturesque areas in our city packed with beautiful gardens and parks, stunning waterfront scenery and wonderful Victorian-era architecture, but they are also a mecca for some of the best brunch spots in town.  Here are some of Tally-Ho’s top picks for brunch around Victoria’s Inner Harbour and James Bay communities.

Don’t Overlook Hotel Dining!

Tally-Ho has a great relationship with the many hotels and accommodation providers in Downtown Victoria and our team frequents their in-house restaurants on the regular.  While there was a time, in years passed, when hotel restaurants were limited to less-than-appetizing, greasy-spoon dining that was more about convenience and economy than culinary excellence, those days are long gone.  All you need to do is check out the reviews on Trip Advisor to know that Victoria’s hotel restaurants are holding their own on the culinary front.

Some of our favourites include The Q at Victoria’s historic Fairmont Empress, the Blue Crab Seafood House at the Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina, the Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio at the Inn at Laurel Point, and the Pacific Restaurant at the Hotel Grand Pacific offer  all of which offer exceptional dining experiences featuring the best of West Coast cuisine and paired with world-class service.  

That said, if you’re looking for an opportunity to get “out in the community” to experience some of downtown’s unique local hotspots, here are our favourite brunch spots in Victoria BC.

Floyd’s Diner, 332 Menzies Street, Victoria, BC

If you’re looking for a vibrant yet casual brunch spot, Floyd’s Diner may be right up your alley.  

Established in 2004, this iconic Victoria landmark has a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.  With its bright pink, 50s-inspired look and feel, Floyd’s has become such a local favourite over the years, that they now have three locations in the Greater Victoria Region.

Floyd’s does brunch right with generous portions of deliciously prepared and humorously named menu items that always tick the comfort food box.  Floyd’s menu has all those hearty breakfast and brunch classics you crave, but don’t be fooled into thinking they’re boring.  For all you adventurous Foodie Rebels out there, Floyd’s offers “The Mahoney”.  Simply tell your waiter or waitress “Bring me The Mahoney!” and Floyd’s savvy cooks will serve up a scrumptiously creative dish of their choosing.  Want to up the ante even more?  Ask for The Mahoney for “double or nothing” and let a coin toss decide if you pay double or if your meal is on the house!

We’d be remiss if we left you thinking Floyd’s is only about fun, flair and good food.  They also care a whole lot about their community and are one of only fifteen local restaurants that participate in Mealshare.  This program helps feed local kids in need and to date, Mealshare has served well over 2.3 million meals.  So if you’re dining at Floyd’s and want to do a little something to support this initiative, just let your server know you’d like to “Buy one and give one for the Mealshare program”.  

Getting to Tally Ho Carriage Tours from Floyd’s


Bubby Rose’s Café & Bakery, 225 Menzies Street, Victoria BC

We appreciate that not everyone has an appetite for big, robust brunch meals.  Sometimes, a steaming cup of artisan roasted, freshly brewed coffee and baked goods straight from the oven is exactly what the doctor ordered.  If this sounds like your speed, then allow us to recommend Bubby Rose’s Café & Bakery.  

Born in 2002 from a passion to use ethically sourced ingredients, Bubby Rose’s proudly serves delectable food and baked goods to Victoria’s diverse communities.  Their homemade goodies include a range of vegan and gluten-free options for those with dietary preferences or sensitivities.

Grab an award-winning cinnamon roll paired with a cup of their delicious coffee, lovingly roasted in-house in small batches, while you enjoy the bustling mosaic that is the James Bay Village.  Oh, and if you find yourself a little peckish later in the afternoon, rumour has it, Bubby Rose’s has some of the best hand-made, woodfired pizza in town!

Getting to Tally Ho Carriage Tours from Bubby’s

 

Heron Rock Bistro, 4-435 Simcoe Street, Victoria BC

Tucked away on the street level of a multi-use commercial residential complex, the Heron Rock Bistro might be easy to overlook, but you’d be missing out if you did!

Founded in 2005 by Owner/Operator Andrew Moffatt and Owner/Head Chef Ben Peterson, the Heron Rock Bistro has been serving delicious food made with quality ingredients for nearly 17 years and has earned its place as a long-standing local favourite. 

Their breakfast and lunch menus, served daily until 3:00 pm, are extensive with something to satisfy everyone’s tastes.  Particularly notable for the brunch connoisseurs who are fond of hollandaise, is the unique and mouth-watering eggs benedicts featured on their breakfast menu.  There’s the Stilton, Bacon & Mushroom Benny or the Chorizo & Guacamole Benny for example.  How about going West Coast with their Smoked Salmon Benny with lemon horseradish cream cheese and capers?  Or, if you’re feeling adventurous and up for a flavourful surprise, go for the Chef’s Choice Triple Benny – sounds intriguing, yes?!

Getting to Tally Ho Carriage Tours from Heron Rock

 

Breakwater Bistro & Bar, 199 Dallas Road, Victoria BC

Take in the expansive views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Salish Sea from the Breakwater Bistro & Bar at Ogden Point.  A hive of activity, Ogden Point is a main port for the many Cruise Liners that travel BC’s coastline and is also a favourite among locals providing a fantastic sea wall leading out to a landmark lighthouse – great for a weekend stroll.

In the summer months, especially, you’ll find this location a hive of activity with artisan markets, live music and events and opportunities to partake in ocean-going activities like kayaking and scuba diving.  

The Bistro itself has a mouth-watering array of casual pre-made goods as well as prepared to order dishes providing diners with the option to take their treats with them while they walk the seawall or take in the sights from one of the restaurant’s window seats.  Either way, you’ll leave with all of your senses satisfied and your belly delightfully full.

And last but certainly not least on our top-pick downtown brunch spots is….. 

Getting to Tally Ho Carriage Tours from Breakwater Bistro

 

Nourish Kitchen & Café, 225 Quebec Street, Victoria BC

We can’t talk about nourishing food, spending time with friends and family and Victorian architecture without recommending Nourish Kitchen & Café. This unique eatery and community treasure is the epitome of the West Coast, feel-good, foodie experience.

Guided by holistic philosophies, ancient techniques, and the boundless inspiration of nature, the goal of Nourish is to enhance lives through love in the kitchen. 

Established in 2010, Nourish lives in an 1888 heritage house turned community hub. The lower level of the family-run home offers a casual restaurant and cafe, and a culinary market dedicated to providing nourishing treats and kitchen staples. On the upper level, Nourish offers a nurturing communal space for creativity, education, and celebrations, focused on a shared respect for the natural world.

Their diverse and naturally sourced menu focuses on whole foods and features both quality meat and vegan dishes. Nourish aspires to create soul-touching, health-giving recipes to share with the community, and with their simple but perfectly suited tagline “Eat With People You Love” how could you go wrong?!

Getting to Tally Ho Carriage Tours from Nourish Kitchen

 

Tally Ho Carriage Tours Pair Wonderfully with Brunch in Victoria BC

We’re confident that the brunch locations listed in this blog will not fail to impress, but the best part… all of them are located along Tally-Ho’s carriage tour routes!  To book your carriage tour experience, you can email us at tours@tallyhotours.com or contact us by phone locally at 250-514-9257 or toll free at 1-866-383-5067.  We look forward to hosting you!  

Horse Breeds – The Belgian Draft

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Belgian Draft Horses – Facts, Origin & History

Next up in our Tally-Ho horse breeds mini-series is the Belgian draft horse. While Belgian drafts share some similarities with our two previously featured breeds, the iconic Clydesdale and the majestic Percheron, they have a unique history and characteristics that are all their own. 

The Origin of the Belgian Draft Horse

As the name suggests, the Belgian draft Horse originates from Belgium.  Among many breed historians, the Belgian is believed to be descendant from the Flemish “destriers” of the Middle Ages.  The word destrier does not refer to a specific breed of horse, but rather a type of horse.  The destrier, also referred to by contemporary sources as The Great Horse, was highly prized by medieval knights and men-at-arms and was coveted as the finest and strongest of the era’s warhorses. 

The foundation stock for the Belgian was originally known as the Brabant, named after the specific region within Belgium from which the breed originates.  Historically, the breed has gone by several names including Cheval de trait Belge, Brabançon, Trait Belge and Belgisch Trekpaard.

The large, well-muscled Belgian quickly gained notoriety as one of the strongest of the heavy draft breeds.  Export across Europe, and exposure in district show circuits which culminated in the National Show in Brussels, established the Belgian breed as a fixture in Belgium’s national heritage.  By 1891, Belgian draft horses taking up residents in government stables in Russia, Italy, Germany, France and the old Austria-Hungary Empire.

The Modern History of the Belgian Draft Horse

It wasn’t until 1866 that the first Belgian was exported to the United States and though the breed was accepted by draft horse enthusiasts, at the time it was not nearly so popular as the Percheron.  Over the next two decades the Belgian gained favour, and in 1887 three residents of Wabash, Indiana – Harmon Wolf, Abraham Status and Nathan Meyer – founded The American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses, which was more efficiently renamed the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America.

In 1903, the government of Belgium sent an exhibit of their finest Belgian drafts to the St. Louis World’s Fair and the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.  This further solidified the breed’s following in the States and although exports from Belgium experienced significant downturns at the onset of both the first and second world wars, breeding programs in America ensured the Belgian gained in numbers.  

Prior to the 1940s the Belgian and the Brabant were essentially interchangeable.  Following World War II, however, the Brabant in Europe was selectively bred to have thicker, heavier bodies and notably crested necks.  Meanwhile, in the USA, breeding programs sought to develop a Belgian draft with somewhat lighter, more agile bodies with taller frames.

In the 1960s a man named Albert Stankiewicz, disappointed in the changes he was seeing in the American-bred Belgians, sought to return the breed to its original pre-war heavy working draft, breeding his imported stallions to old-style domestic Belgian mares. That traditional breed line became known as the American Brabant and its preservation is championed by the American Brabant Association, which was formed in 1999.

Today in the United States, Belgians (together with American Brabant horses) out number all other heavy draft breeds combined.    

Belgian Draft Horses in Canada

The Belgian Government produced a National Stud Book in 1886 and the first imported Belgian arrived in Canada in 1902, landing in Quebec.  The Canadian Belgian Draft Breeder’s Association was incorporated in 1907, and since then, there have been over 37,000 registrations. As was the case in America, registrations hit an extreme low during the second world war, but rebounded thanks in large part to Amish and Mennonite communities that remain heavily dependent on draft breeds for farm use.

Past and Present Uses of the Belgian Draft Horse

While many historians claim its original role was that of a mighty medieval war horse, the Belgian breed as we know it today, was founded in heavy agricultural work, logging and hauling.  In exhibition environments, Belgian horses have been reported pulling weights over three times their own body weight. 

Developments to the domestic Belgian and Brabant bloodlines have led to an extraordinarily versatile horse.  While Belgian Drafts are still used as working horses, these draft horses often compete in the show ring in halter, hitch and riding classes, and are enjoyed in a vast number of recreational equine activities.

Belgian Draft Conformation and Colour

The Belgian is widely considered to be one of (if not, the) strongest and heaviest of the draft breeds.  Early Belgians imported from Europe were seen in a variety of coat colours including, bay, black, chestnut and roan.  Modern-day, North American-bred Belgians have seen a surge in sorrel-coloured horses (chestnut bodies with flaxen manes and tails).  

While domestic Belgians have been bred to be taller and slightly finer than their European counterparts, they stand slightly shorter and heavier bodied than the average Clydesdale.  Belgians measure at an average height of 16-17 hands (1.62 to 1.72 metres from the ground to their wither) and typically weigh between 2,100 and 2,300 lbs.  By comparison, the iconic Clydesdale horse can measure 18 hands and still be approximately 200 lbs lighter!

While they may not be known as the tallest of the heavy draft breeds, the world’s largest Belgian Draft horse named Big Jake, was recorded as standing 20.3 hands (2.06 metres) and weighed in at an astonishing 2,600 lbs.

Character Traits & Trainability of the Belgian Draft Horse

Due to their superb temperament, Belgian horses are gaining popularity as schooling horses and therapy horses in riding programs.  Known as gentle giants, they are quiet and docile in hand and under saddle and yet exceptionally willing to please, especially when they are confident in their understanding of the task at hand.  Belgian enthusiasts will tell you they are exceptionally intelligent and perceptive animals capable of developing strong working bonds with their human handlers.

Meet the Tally Ho Belgian Draft Horses

Tally Ho is honoured to play a small role in preserving this incredible draft breed.  We currently have two purebred Belgians, Remy & Delilah, as well as a pair of Belgian-Percheron cross geldings (Timber and Tucker) whose Percheron origins are detailed in our last horse breed blog.   

If you’d like to learn more about our beloved Belgians, or any members of our herd, you can choose to sponsor a horse or visit our website at www.tallyhotours.com to book a tour to experience these majestic horses in person. Can’t get enough of our gentle horses? Take your very own plush horse home to love. Available in 7.5″ or 12.5″ heights, “Clyde” and “Rimsky” are available in our online gift shop. They come complete with pulling harnesses and make a wonderful keepsake!  

Horse Breeds – The Suffolk Punch

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Suffolk Punch Horses – Facts, Origin & History

We hope you’ve been following along on our Tally-Ho horse breeds mini-series and enjoying getting to know the unique history and characteristics of some of the worlds most beloved draft horse breeds.  So far, we’ve featured four of our five breeds: the iconic Clydesdale; the majestic Percheron; knightly Belgian Draft and the impressive Shire.  Last, but certainly not least, of our series is the very special, and comparatively rare, Suffolk Punch.

The Origin of the Suffolk Punch

Like the Shire, the Suffolk Punch (also known as the Suffolk Horse or Suffolk Sorrel) is a draft breed that is English in origin.  This first part of the name is in reference to the County of Suffolk, which is located in East Anglia.

The breed was developed in the early 16th century and the Suffolk Punch registry is the oldest English breed society.  William Camden’s Britannia, published in 1586 is said to contain the first reference to the Suffolk Punch, with a description of the eastern counties horse that leaves little question as to its identity as the recognizable breed.

An in-depth genetic study of the Suffolk Punch revealed it is closely grouped with both the European Haflinger and the British Fell and Dales ponies.  Developed in (then) isolated counties of Suffolk and Norfolk for farm work, the breed had tremendous longevity and were rarely sold, which helped to keep the bloodlines largely unchanged.

This relative isolation, however, lead to a succession challenge in the 1760s when many of the male breeding lines died off, resulting in a genetic bottleneck – a challenge that bore its head again in the late 18th century.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Norfolk Trotter, Norfolk Cob and Thoroughbred bloodlines were strategically introduced to the Suffolk breed as a means of addressing the genetic bottlenecks.  Additional breeds were introduced in an effort to increase the overall size and stature of the Suffolk Punch, but these efforts had negligible long-term impact on the breed, which remains much as it was prior to the introduction of crossbreeding.  

The Modern History of the Suffolk Punch

The first official exports of the Suffolks to Canada took place in 1865.  The Suffolk Horse Society of Britain published its first stud book in 1880, which saw the immediate export of Suffolks to the United States. Subsequent breeding programs saw the breed rise in numbers across North America.  By 1908, Suffolk Punch exportation from Britain, included Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and various parts of Africa, amongst other countries.

With the dawn of the Second World War, the Suffolk sadly went the way of many other heavy draft breeds when increased mechanization and a shortage of both livestock and human food sources resulted in thousands of horses being sent to slaughter. 

In 1966, only nine foals were registered with the Suffolk Horse Society. A revival of the breed began in the 1960s and numbers began to rise although the breed did remain rare. Even as recently as 1998, only 80 breeding mares were accounted for in Britain and their offspring were a mere 40 annually.

Following WWII, the American Suffolk Horse Association remained inactive for approximately 15 years and only became reinvigorated in 1961 with a resurgence of the draft horse market.  To further support the breed’s revival and prevent inbreeding, the American registry permitted selective crossbreeding with the Belgian Draft in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  

Similarities between Belgian breed conformation and colouring, helped preserve the integrity of the Suffolk Punch breed.  Furthermore, only fillies from these crosses were eligible for registration with the US association.  Despite best efforts of their American counterpart, Suffolks with this new American bloodline, were not allowed to be registered with the British Association. 

Although the Suffolk Punch population has come a long way since their lowest point in the early 1960s, both the Rare Breeds Survival Trust of the UK and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy list the Suffolk Punch as “critical”.  Between 2001 and 2006 history was made when, for the first time, American breeding stock (one stallion and three mares) were exported to the United Kingdom.

As of 2011, there were reported to be less than 1,350 Suffolks registered in the UK and North America combined, approximately 1,200 of those from Canada and the USA under the auspices of the American Suffolk Horse Association.  The Suffolk Punch is still considered the rarest of draft breeds in the United Kingdom. 

Past and Present Uses of the Suffolk Punch

The Suffolk Punch is one of the few heavy draft breeds that was purposefully bred for farm work.  While they were utilized to pull heavy artillery during wartimes, their foundation was in agriculture.  Suffolks are still used today in commercial forestry operations and for other draught work and have also found a place in tourism and pleasure driving.  They have been popular for crossbreeding to produce sport horses for use in the Hunter and Show Jumping rings, passing on their dense bone structure, physical strength, expressive gait and exceptional hoof conformation.

Suffolk Punch Horse Conformation and Colour

Despite selective crossbreeding throughout the ages, the Suffolk Punch has remained remarkably (and unusually) close in phenotype to its founding stock.  They typically stand between 16.1 and 17.2 hands high (or 1.64 to 1.75 metres) tall and weigh, on average, between 2,000 to 2,200 lbs.

Unlike other draft breeds that vary in coat colour, Suffolks are always chestnut (or sorrel), many with flaxen manes and tails.  Equestrian author, Marguerite Henry has been quoted as saying “His colour is bright chestnut – like a tongue of fire against black field furrows, against green corn blades, against yellow wheat, against blue horizons.  Never is he any other colour.”  Surprisingly, however, Suffolks feature a variety of shades within the chestnut pallet, ranging from dark liver chestnut, dull dark, red, bright red and light sorrel.  White markings are rare and are typically limited to the face or present as a lightening on the lower, unfeathered legs.

As is a hallmark with many draft breeds, the Suffolk Punch has a powerful arching neck, well-muscled sloping shoulders, a short and wide back, and a wide and muscular croup.  Legs are shorter than some with dense bone and broad joints.

In the past, the Suffolk was notoriously criticized for poor hoof quality, having feet that were thought to be too small to support the massive weight and structure of its body.  The introduction of major shows and registries in which hoof structure and conformation was graded – a uniquely innovative practice among horse breeds – resulted in such positive impact that the Suffolk Punch is now considered to have some of the most desired hoof conformation, relative to their bodies, out of many heavy and light breeds.

Character Traits & Trainability of the Suffolk Punch Horse

While there is some variation between draft breeds and there will certainly always be exceptions from horse to horse, Suffolks live up to the calm, intelligent and hard-working characteristics shared by most heavy drafts.

One added benefit to the Suffolk Punch breed, is that they tend to mature earlier and be long-lived, and are also known as “easy keepers”, that typically require less feed than other horses of similar type and stature.  

Tally-Ho and the Suffolk Punch Horse

While Tally-Ho doesn’t have any Suffolk Punch horses currently in rotation for our carriage tours, we’ve been privileged to work with this special breed of draft horse over the years.  Delilah is our happily retired Suffolk Punch who is currently living the dream with her other draft horse friends on the farm. We hope to one day reintegrate another Suffolk Punch into our herd again.

If you’d like to learn more about members of our herd, you can choose to sponsor a horse or visit our tours page to book a tour to experience these majestic horses in person. Can’t get enough of our gentle horses? Take your very own plush horse home to love. Available in 7.5″ or 12.5″ heights, “Clyde” and “Rimsky” are available in our online gift shop. They come complete with pulling harnesses and make a wonderful keepsake!