Tips for a Memorable Babymoon in Victoria, BC

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For a Romantic Getaway or Fun Trip with Friends, Tally-Ho Can Help Create an Unforgettable Babymoon

Whether you’re expecting your first child or adding another kiddo to your family, expecting a new baby is an exciting time! But, as most parents will tell you, life changes drastically – in ways big and small – when a new little life enters the picture. More and more, expectant parents are taking time before the birth to enjoy a babymoon.  

At Tally-Ho, our priority is caring for our wonderful herd of draft horses and creating memorable carriage tours for our guests. Many of our guests are celebrating important occasions and milestones like graduations, birthdays, weddings, engagements and of course, the newly popular babymoon. 

Victoria has so much to offer and we’re very proud to live and operate in one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world. Here are a few of our recommendations for a restful, rejuvenating and uniquely Victoria babymoon vacation– carriage tours included, of course! 

Enjoy a High Tea and Spa Experience Combined with a Tally-Ho Carriage Ride

Add opulence to your Babymoon with a hotel, high-tea & spa experience at the historic Fairmont Empress. Victoria has some of the highest-rated, luxurious hotels you’ll find on Vancouver Island.  Perhaps the most iconic of these is the Fairmont Empress.  

This chateau-style building was opened in January of 1908 and is considered one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. The Empress underwent two main expansions, the first from 1910-1912 and the second in 1928 and it was officially designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.  

In more recent times, this grand hotel underwent a significant restoration costing in excess of $60M.  Restoration of the exterior involved the removal of ancient ivy vines which had taken over nearly the entire frontal façade of the hotel, obscuring the impressive structure with its elements of French Renaissance architecture.  

Today, the Fairmont Empress boasts 464 well-appointed, air-conditioned guest rooms and suites. All rooms and suites have been tastefully designed to honour the distinction and opulence of its history while providing the best of modern luxury and amenities, including a full fitness centre with indoor heated pool. With spectacular views of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, equally iconic Parliament Buildings and the surrounding City Gardens, nearly every room has a beautiful view as well.

Recognized by Conde Nast as a Top Resort Spa in Canada and Top 100 Spas of the Americas, the award-winning Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Empress is Victoria’s luxury spa and features signature, West Coast inspired treatments. Feel like royalty with the Empress for the Day package, or enjoy a soothing simple Mom to Be prenatal massage designed to soothe swelling and achy muscles.

After you’re blissfully rejuvenated from your spa treatment, we highly recommend indulging in one of the Hotel’s most noted culinary experiences – High Tea. Seasonally, High Tea at the Empress can be served on their well-appointed terraces with sweeping views of the harbour and in cooler months tea is served in their grand and picturesque Lobby with its turn-of-the-century elegance.  

Delicately tiered platters and royal china serve up a delectable selection of flakey, freshly baked scones with house-made strawberry preserves and cream, fluffy pastries with honey from the hotel’s hives, a variety of exquisite finger sandwiches and an exclusive selection of premium loose-leaf teas gifted to the Empress by Her Majesty in 1939.  

Indulge in a Little Retail Therapy on Your Babymoon in Victoria’s Picturesque Downtown

A Babymoon is not solely reserved for couples.  Many mothers-to-be are enjoying mother/daughter quality time or one last hurrah (at least for a while!) with their closest group of girlfriends.  If you are planning a girls-only Babymoon in Victoria, we would be remiss if we didn’t tempt you with a little retail therapy. 

From artisan jewelers to high-fashion clothiers, from West Coast crafts to First Nations artwork and from novelty gifts to practical mum-and-baby goods, Victoria’s downtown core has some of the most robust and satisfying shopping in the region – all of it easily walkable and charmingly picturesque. You’re sure to find the perfect Babymoon souvenir here.

Victoria’s Culinary Scene Will Satisfy all of Your Cravings

Some pretty specific food cravings can happen during pregnancy. Victoria’s Downtown offers an almost overwhelmingly wide variety of restaurants and eateries for adventurous and discriminating foodies alike. Go ahead and indulge!

From West Coast fresh-caught seafood restaurants to food markets or even just one-of-a-kind food trucks, you’ll be spoiled with the selection on offer.  Looking for gluten-free or vegan? No problem!  Many restaurants in Victoria offer delicious menu selections for those with special dietary requirements and there are a number of great vegetarian and vegan eateries that are favourites to many Victorian locals. Whether you want breakfast, brunch, or a quick bite late at night, our guides can help you discover the perfect spot to dine.

Get off Your Weary Feet and Explore the City by Horse and Carriage on your Babymoon

We’ve arguably saved the best for last (not that we’re biased) with our memorable Tally-Ho carriage tours! Continuing with the historic city theme, you’ll be whisked back in time with a sightseeing experience like no other.  Step aboard one of our cozy, old-style carriages, rest your weary, perhaps puffy (?) feet and slow things down with one of our popular city tours. It’s a quintessential centerpiece to your weekend getaway. Come in the spring and take in the award-winning gardens and cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Wind your way through Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park and gardens, breathe in the salt air on our ocean-site routes or capture the hustle and bustle of the city sites with one of our Inner Harbour tours.  Whether you select one of our set tours or have us create a special custom Babymoon Victoria package, there’s nothing quite like sightseeing to the sound of horse hooves.

Our professional, uniformed guides are passionate about their work and keep the horses’ and your safety as a top priority.  Well-versed in the history and significance of many of Victoria’s landmarks, our guides can enthrall you with stories or, if you’d prefer, leave you to enjoy the sights on your own terms. Our elegant carriages feature convertible roofs and warm faux-fur blankets to keep you cozy in all weather and they can seat up to six guests. 

We’re happy to help you make the most of your Babymoon in Victoria BC by providing contact details for any hotel, spa or restaurant – just tell us the experience you’d like to have. Contact us by phone or email to let us know what you have in mind for your Babymoon.

Horse Breeds – The Percheron

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Percheron Horses – Facts, Origin & History

In November we introduced a blog mini-series featuring the five draft horse breeds that make up the Tally-Ho working herd.  Our first article featured the iconic Clydesdale horse, explaining that the origin, history and many wonderful traits of the Clydesdale goes far beyond its association with the popular branding by Budweiser. In this entry we’ll dive into the backstory of the majestic Percheron horse, of which we have two full bred and two half Percheron half Belgian bred (another draft breed we’ll learn about in the coming weeks). 

A History of the Percheron Horse

Early ancestors of the breed were first noted in Western France, more specifically, the Huisne River Valley in the former Perche Province from which the Percheron claims its name. 

While the exact origin of the Percheron horse is a matter of some mystery and much debate, one theory speculates that foundation stock came from a small number of mares captured by Clovis the First King of the Franks from the Bretons sometime after 496 AD.  Another theory suggests that some of the first Percheron foals were sired by Andalusian cavalry stallions brought over from Spain by the Moors, then confiscated by warriors of Perche upon the Moors’ defeat at the Battle Poitiers (Battle of Tours) in 732 AD.  A third theory is that the Percheron and the Boulonnais breed— brought to Brittany as reinforcements for Caesar’s legions— are closely related.  

Between 1789 and the early 1800s, the Percheron was in danger of extinction due to a suppression of horse breeding during the French Revolution. It was shortly after this time, in the late 18th century and early 19th century, that two gray Arabian stallions from Le Pin were said to have been introduced to the bloodline. This is contested by modern day breed historians who maintain there were still enough Percheron breeding stock without the introduction of additional breeds. Today, all Percherons are able to trace their ancestry back to a 1823 foundation stallion named Jean le Blanc, who’s progeny saw the breed become larger.

In 1893 the first Percheron stud book was created in France, which was followed by the first exported Percherons to the United States.  The first exportations of Percherons were less than successful with several animals perishing during or shortly after the lengthy and turbulent journey across the seas.  However, one stallion aptly named Diligence was credited with siring nearly 400 foals in the USA.  

The Modern History of the Percheron

Over the next 75 years, the export of Percherons to the United States saw dramatic fluctuations in numbers until 1906 when 13,000 arrived in the USA in the one year alone.  By the 1930s, Percherons accounted for over 70 percent of the purebred draft horses in the United States, with a 1930 census of horses accounting for over 33,000 Percherons in the country.  

The story went similarly in Canada.  By 1930, the Percheron was so popular that a Canadian census showed that there were three times as many Percherons registered as there were of the other four main draft breeds combined.  

But the Percheron boom was not long lived.  The end of World War II and a subsequent increase in mechanization led to a dramatic decline in the population.  By 1954 only 85 Percherons were registered in the US, a record low, and the subsequent two decades the breed did not fare much better.

Percheron Horses in Canada

In Canada, however, the Percheron continued to be a mainstay in Amish communities.  At one point, the highest concentration of Percherons in the world was said to be in Alberta, in a 50 mile radius of Calgary, and was referred to as the “Percheron Mafia”.  Pete Thumond of Sage Hill Percherons is quoted as saying that 90 percent of Percherons in the US today can be traced back to Alberta stock.

In the 1970s Canadian’s Bill and Opal Lucas imported the last known French Percheron to Canada.  The impressive grey stallion named Farman, was the first import from France since the 1930s and would become pivotal to domestic bloodlines.  Another prominent Canadian Percheron stallion was Justamere Showtime out of Saskatchewan.  By 1983, approximately 300 of the 512 registered Percherons could trace their lineage back to Justamere Showtime.   

The late 90s and early 2000s saw a resurgence of the Percheron breed in the United States (and Canada) with 2,500 new horses being registered with the Percheron Horse Association of America annually by 2009.  The Percheron horse is now listed as “recovering” by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. 

Past and Present Uses of the Percheron Horse

Originally bred for use as war horses, Percherons were later used for pulling large stagecoaches and, later still, for work in agriculture and for hauling heavy goods.  The Percheron is the most notable and populous of all the French draft breeds in the world today.  They have been favoured over the centuries for cross breeding to improve bloodlines in Ardennes and Vladimir Heavy Drafts (among many others) and were also crossed with Andalusian horses to create the Spanish-Norman breed.    

Percherons are still used around the world today in parades and sleigh or hay rides, and are used to pull large carriages in cities. The most extensive team of working Percherons in Europe is found at Disneyland Paris, making up 30 percent of the horses in the park.

In Canada, Percherons are still the draft horse of choice for those lucky enough to win private sustainable logging contracts.  On Prince Edward Island, Percherons are still used for the harvest of a type of seaweed called Irish Moss, navigating rocky shores and bringing approximately $1M annually to the region.

In Great Britain, the Percheron is favoured among horse breeds for advertising and publicity due to their commanding stature and presence.  They are also still actively used in forestry and agricultural work.  

Percherons are also exceptional riding horses, particularly for heavier riders and more demanding riding disciplines.  Some purebred Percherons have proven useful at show jumping, though it is more common to see Percherons crossed with Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods for the show ring.  In Australia, Thoroughbred-Percheron crosses are also used as mounted police horses. 

Percheron Conformation and Colour

Though the conformation – or physical make-up of the breed – has evolved over the years, modern breed standard describes a horse that is anywhere from 15-19 hands high (or 60 to 76 inches from the ground to the top of their wither).  Their weight ranges from 1,600 lbs in the shorter or more refined builds, to an imposing 2,400 lbs on the larger end of the scale.  

Percherons have striking, broadheads with alert and forward ears and bright, prominent eyes that communicate intelligence and spirit.  The neck is longer than some draft breeds and considerably arched, flowing into a long sloping shoulder that typically sits at a 45 degree angle to support free, forward movement and naturally expressive carriage.

A well-bred Percheron should have a deep, wide chest to accommodate a strong heart and a big lung capacity.  Other characteristics of the breed include well-defined withers, a short back, a deep girth, a longer level croup, a large and well-rounded hip and powerfully defined muscling in the lower thigh.  Percherons may appear slightly “cow hocked” in the hind end – or stand with their hocks fairly close together.  While this may not be a particularly desirable trait in, say, a dressage horse, for the Percheron it provides power and action for hauling or pulling heavy loads.  Unlike the Clydesdale with its iconic feathered lower limbs, the Percheron has very little feathering.   

They are most commonly grey or black in colour, but sorrel (or chestnut) and bay Percherons appear on occasion and are still accepted by most Percheron Registries.  

Character Traits & Trainability of the Percheron Horse

Like the Clydesdale, Percherons are referred to as “cold blooded”, which means that they tend to be very level headed and measured in their interactions with people and their environments, as opposed to other breeds that can be more flighty, reactive or “hot”.  

Those who work with Percherons will tell you that they quickly earn their handlers’ allegiance.  Extremely willing, Percherons will tackle any job set before them with power, grace and determination.  They are also a very intelligent breed that learn new tasks with ease and have a soft, yet commanding presence. 

Meet the Tally-Ho Herd of Horses

Tally-Ho is honoured to play a small role in preserving this incredible draft breed.  We currently have two purebred Percherons (Jinx and King) as well as a pair of Percheron-Belgian cross geldings (Timber and Tucker) who were formerly a logging duo.   

If you’d like to learn more about our beloved Percherons, 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!  

Tally-Ho’s Trio of Holiday Carriage Tours

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Help Raise Funds for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

With everything going on in the world, we could all use a little extra magic and holiday cheer.  Nothing quite captures the spirit of the Christmas season like the sound of horse hooves and jingle bells – at least in our humble opinion. Another way to capture the spirit of the holiday season is giving back to the community. It is in this very spirit that we are thrilled to offer a trio of holiday carriage rides. This years’ tours are sure to delight people of all ages while making a difference for children in need.  

Tally-Ho’s Festival of Trees Tour in Support of BC Children’s Hospital

The Festival of Trees has been a cherished community tradition in Victoria for the past 30 years. Once again, the halls of the Bay Centre will be transformed into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees to raise funds for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, all thanks to sponsors, local businesses, organizations and individuals like you. 

At Tally-Ho Carriage Tours, we’re passionate about bringing the magic of our horses to children of all ages and watching their eyes light up with wonder. We’re also passionate about helping to ensure that all children get to live their lives with as much joy and wonder as possible. BC Children’s is the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to the care of children.

The Festival of Trees is a key fundraiser for BC Children’s, and we are proud to once again participate in this event with our Festival of Trees Carriage Tour Experience!  

Begin your adventure at our harbourside location in Victoria, BC where you will meet your magnificent sleigh horse and their trusted driver.  Your sleigh will be fully decorated for the holidays with garlands and soft lights. Classic holiday favourites will be playing softly in the background to really set the mood for Christmas cheer.

You’ll travel a short distance to the Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre where you’ll get to spend a full hour enjoying the many beautifully decorated trees. While this event is all about the kids, there is a little bit of friendly competition for best-tree bragging rights for the local businesses and private supporters. Everyone who has created a tree has worked hard to create awe-inspiring holiday art! 

While visiting the Festival of Trees, guests are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree, with all proceeds going towards the Centre For Mindfulness through BC Children’s Hospital. These tiny patients and their families cope with a mountain of health and psychological challenges. As a result, the Centre for Mindfulness has been developed to help treat the whole child, mind and body. 

Our horse-themed tree, (complete with photos of our herd and a stunning 3 ft Clydesdale wood-carving by master carver  Ryan Cook!) will once again be displayed at the Bay Centre.  (Psst… the Tally-Ho tree won the coveted Kids’ Choice award – and associated bragging rights – in 2019!) Please, please consider donating through the Tally-Ho Fundraising Page and help us reach our goal in support of the BC Children’s Hospital!

After your time at the Festival, your horse-drawn carriage will return to the Bay Centre to pick you up and whisk you away for a 45-50 minute tour around the holiday wonderland of Victoria’s Inner Harbor and surrounding area. Sing your favorite holiday carols as you meander through the pedestrian-only zone of Old Towne Government Street. Enjoy the sparkling holiday light displays on the boats in the harbour, the Empress Hotel, Legislative Buildings and other historic landmarks.

Tally-Ho’s One-Of-A-Kind Sleigh Rides

With our west coast climate, we can’t guarantee you’ll be “dashing through the snow”, but we can provide you with the one-horse open sleigh, complete with jingling bells and gorgeous seasonal decor.

Join us for a magical sleigh ride in our luxurious, one-of-a-kind horse-drawn sleigh. As your horse clip-clops through Victoria’s charming heritage district of James Bay, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. 

Sink into luxurious and plush velvet seats as the magical sounds of sleigh bells and the gentle footfalls of a majestic horse create the ultimate fun holiday experience. 

Feel like singing? We fully encourage you to warm up your vocal cords and delight onlookers with renditions of your favourite Yuletide carols.

Caroling in the Country with Tally-Ho

Our 35-minute Caroling in the Country tours will take you through the Christmas light-lined streets of Saanichton.  Your Tally-Ho horse and carriage, decorated in full holiday splendour, will meet you at Fresh Cup Café where you’ll have a few moments to take some photos, squeeze in some horse snuggles (a prerequisite) and get yourself a complimentary coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

Beverage in hand, we’ll get you cozied up in the carriage – we encourage you to bring a snuggly blanket – and set off on our way.  Our route is a hidden gem of beautifully decorated houses and some of the very best holiday light displays in Victoria.  You can sit back and enjoy the sights and the jingle jangle of the sleigh bells. If you’re feeling particularly festive, we invite you to sing along to your favourite holiday songs and delight residents with some caroling!

Tally-Ho’s Caroling in the Country tours are suitable for all ages.  Carriages are all equipped with convertible roofs that will provide additional comfort in the event of wet weather. All carriages can seat four adults comfortably or groups of up to six, including children. 

Start a New Holiday Tradition with Tally-Ho!

We hope you’ll consider joining us for one – or several – of our three festive Christmas carriage tours.  Not only are our tours a magical way to share the holiday spirit with family, friends and loved-ones, but you’ll be helping to support local and raise funds for the BC Children’s Hospital. You can also help to support Tally-Ho’s horses by purchasing gifts and stocking stuffers for the horse lover in your life through our online gift shop. 

We’ve been providing memorable Christmas sleigh rides for a number of years now and Tally-Ho as a business goes all the way back to the Victorian era. Every year, we love to bring a bit of the old-fashioned Christmas feel to our guests. Step back into a quieter time and let your inner child back out as you ooh and ahh over the spectacular decorations all throughout our different tour routes. For more information – including dates, rates, tour details and online bookings – click the links below. 

Festival of Trees Tours

Sleigh Rides in James’ Bay

Caroling in the Country Tours  

Horse Breeds – the Clydesdale

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Clydesdale Horse: Facts, Origin & History

In today’s urban landscape, few sounds can elicit the wonder and excitement of the clip-clopping of a horse’s feet down a city street.  If you live or work in downtown Victoria or have had the privilege to visit our historic waterfront city, you’ve undoubtedly heard this sound and seen some of the colourful horses from the Tally-Ho herd.  

Aside from their different coat colours and markings, you might think they are the same kind of horse. However, there are several unique draft breeds across the world that range in size from light to heavy types.  

Over our next series of blog posts, we’re going to take you through the unique history and features of five of these breeds – including the Clydesdale, Percheron, Belgian, Shire and Suffolk Punch – that make up the Tally-Ho herd. First up, is the iconic Clydesdale horse. 

A Brief History of the Clydesdale Horse

These days, Clydesdale horses are often synonymous with the Budweiser brand.  We’ve all seen, and likely gushed over the heartwarming Budweiser Clydesdale ads that debut each year as part of a popular sporting event in the USA, which for trademark purposes, shall remain unnamed in this blog.  But the Clydesdale horse has a rich and lengthy history that extends much further back than the brewery’s ownership, which began in the 1930s at the end of prohibition.  

The Clydesdale is a mid-18th century Scottish breed named after the valley of the River Clyde.  Brabant and Belgian Drafts, and later Flemish Stallions, were imported and bred to local mares resulting in a new crop of foals that were significantly larger than traditional local stock.  A black unnamed stallion imported from England by John Paterson of Lochlyloch was particularly pivotal to the breed and is said to be the sire of an 1806 born filly known as “Lampits Mare”.  Lampits Mare and her progeny, Glancer (also known as Thompson’s Black Horse) can be traced in the ancestry of the vast majority of Clydesdales still living today.

For years the Clydesdale horse could only be found throughout Scotland and into Northern England.  However, following the formation of the American Clydesdale Association (later renamed the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA), the breed began to earn favour in the United States and Canada.  In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, large numbers of Clydesdale horses were exported from Scotland, with a recorded 1,617 breeding stallions leaving the country in a single year.  Over the course of approximately 60 years, export certificates were issued for over 20,000 Clydesdales, which made their way to North America, but also South America, Russia, and continental Europe as well.  Clydesdale horses also became popular in New Zealand and Australia and have even been called “the breed that built Australia”.

During the First World War, thousands of Clydesdale horses were conscripted, as was the case (though in more limited numbers) for the Second World War.  Between the two wars and in subsequent years, Clydesdale horses began to decline in numbers as farms and other traditionally horse-powered industries became more mechanized.  By 1975 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust considered them “vulnerable to extinction”.  In the years since, this iconic breed’s status has fluctuated to “at risk” and recently back to “vulnerable”, with less than 5,000 Clydesdale horses currently worldwide.  

Past and Present Uses of the Clydesdale Horse

Like many draft horses, Clydesdales were originally used for agricultural work and, in their home county of Lanarkshire in Scotland, they were specifically bred to haul coal from local mines.  As the breed became popular in regions across the world, they were also used for logging and driving, and many are still used as heavy working horses to this day.

In more recent times, Clydesdales have become riding horses and even found their way into the show ring.  With carriage services, and for festivals, they have become a favourite partly because of their show-stopping looks and white, feathery legs.

Clydesdales are also used by the British Household Cavalry as drum horses, leading parades on ceremonial and state occasions, carrying the Musical Ride Officer and two silver drums weighing 123 lbs each.    

Clydesdale Conformation and Colour

In general, draft horses (spelled ‘draught’ in the UK and derived from the Old English word dragan, meaning “to draw or haul”) are easily identifiable by their imposing stature and strong, muscular builds, and the modern-day Clydesdale is no different.  But the conformation – or physicality – of the breed has evolved significantly throughout history.  

In earlier years, the Clydesdale was a compact horse that was smaller than several other draft breeds including Belgians, Shires and Percherons.  In later years, selective breeding resulted in larger horses that were believed to be even better suited for heavy hauling and would appear more impressive in shows and parades.  Today’s Clydesdales are rarely under 17 hands high (or 68 inches from the ground to the top of their wither) and can weigh in excess of 2,000 lbs.

Typical Clydesdales have either straight or slightly convex facial profiles with broad muzzles and foreheads.  They tend to have a thick and arched medium-set neck, higher wither profiles and big sloped shoulders.  Clydesdales are often noted to have an expressive, high-stepping gait. 

As previously mentioned, Clydesdales are among the most famous of draft breeds due to their association with Budweiser Brewery.  Budweiser’s breeding program has influenced the look of the breed in North America to such a degree that many people believe Clydesdales only come in Bay colour (reddish-brown body with black mane and tail) and white markings.  However, the breed can also come in black, grey and chestnut and can sometimes come with subtle roaning (white flecked coat variation) or a more overt Sabino pattern, which is said to be a genetic colour mutation.  While breed associations support all these colours, Bay and Black Clydesdales with four white legs and facial markings are the most sought after and therefore, most plentiful.

Character Traits & Trainability of the Clydesdale Horse

Clydesdales – and most heavy draft breeds – are often referred to as “coldblooded”.   Unlike the reptilian association to the term, in the equestrian world this means that they tend to be very calm, collected and gentle in their interactions with people and their environments.  By contrast, high-flight, high-spirited thoroughbreds that have been bred for racing, would be considered “hotblooded”.

However, being coldblooded doesn’t also mean that the Clydesdale is lacking in spirit or personality.  They are known to be highly intelligent and keen to work (sometimes bordering on competitive), and they are also known to exert a not-too-subtle degree of stubbornness if they feel their trainer or handler is not setting clear and fair expectations.  Some avid Clydesdale enthusiasts will go as far as to say they have big expressive personalities that are matched only by their physicality.  

While there may be individual exceptions, the breed is very level-headed and adaptable to new environments and activities.  This, coupled with their aforementioned intelligence and eagerness to work, make them a highly trainable breed.  

Meet the Tally-Ho Clydesdale Horses

In earlier years, Scotland alone was said to have approximately 140,000 Clydesdales in towns, cities and working farms.  By 1975, their numbers in the UK had plummeted to between 500-900 animals and the breed was listed as “vulnerable to extinction”.  Thankfully, due to export to other countries, including Canada, numbers have been very slowly climbing.  However, with only 5,000 currently living worldwide, Clydesdales are still considered a threatened breed.  

Tally-Ho is honoured to play a small role in preserving this incredible draft breed.  We currently have 6 incredible Clydesdales (Clay, Jerry, Kashe, Major, Sarge and Spot) who are members of our working carriage team and serve as tremendous educational ambassadors for their breed.  If you’d like to learn more about our beloved Clydesdales, or any members of our herd, you can visit our website to sponsor a horse or book a tour to experience these majestic horses in person.

The History of the Horse and Buggy

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A Timeline of the Horse and Carriage

At Tally-Ho Carriage Tours, we love being able to provide the experience of an era gone by, when life moved slower and horses were central to everything people did. We offer a step back in time while showing our guests the unique history right here in Victoria, BC.

From the homely, covered wagon to the ornate Coronation Coach, the horse-drawn carriage has a long and storied past. This mode of transportation is still used today in many Mennonite and Amish communities, has seen a resurgence in the farming community and of course, is always a fun and unique tourism experience.

The Very First Horse and Buggy

The domestication of horses began over 6,000 years ago, when man started to work alongside horses to accomplish farming activities; trusted in the horse’s courage and power to carry him through battle; and drew on the horse’s stamina to provide transportation. In return, the horse found himself no longer searching for food, shelter and care. 

The horse and buggy we know today has a fascinating history dating all the way back to ancient Mesopotamia. The earliest form of a buggy was the chariot which is thought to be the first wheeled transportation, and was designed for use in battle. It was rudimentary, with little more than a floor, short sides and a basic seat (basin) for two people to sit in. It was pulled by no more than two horses and rolled along on two wheels. Most commonly it required its passengers to stand through the bumps and was viewed as a way to get around quickly during Egyptian warfare.

Tally Ho Carriage Tours circa 1905

The Horse and Buggy Throughout the Ages

As the popularity of horses grew the breadth and depth of their service also grew, and with each new service, man created new equipment. An array of buggies were built to suit the intended purpose, including speed, stability, long-distance travels, transportation of goods, etc.; and finishes ranged from rough cut boards to ornate pieces of art. 

Owning a nice buggy was often for the upper-class as it went along with the need to upkeep one or more horses. The wealthy typically had a carriage with four wheels and double seats; farmers made do with wagons on which to transport their goods; and poorer travellers would often go with others by stagecoach. In cities such as London, two-wheeled carriages that resembled the early Mesopotamian buggies provided taxi services.

Types of Horse-Drawn Buggies

Stagecoach – The stagecoach was a main form of public transport dating back to the 13th century, and was still widely used until the 1900s when the automobile started to become more popular. Stages could cover long distances, often carrying 20 or more passengers; and were pulled by four to eight horses. Like today’s buses, the stagecoach ran on a schedule with specified stops. At each stop or “stage”, horses were switched out for a fresh team. 

Conestoga Wagon – Introduced to North America by German immigrants in the early 1700s, the Conestoga Wagon was used until the late 1800s to transport goods across rough terrain. It was built to haul major loads (up to 12,000 pounds) and was pulled by up to eight horses, or a dozen oxen, which would travel up to 24 kilometres per day. The seams of the wagon were tarred to enable it to travel through rivers, and it was covered by stretched canvas. The teamster would walk beside the wagon as it was an extremely rough ride and many men could not withstand it for long.

Part of the reason we drive on the right side of the road here in Canada is thanks to the Conestoga wagon.

Buckboard Wagon – Designed in America in the early 19th century, the Buckboard was a basic wagon often used by farmers. It differed from a carriage in that the body of the vehicle had no suspension; instead it included leaf springs under the driver’s seat to help provide some shock absorption. It was so named for the front boards that were used as a footrest by the driver to help stabilize the bumpy ride, and as an added layer of protection from bucking horses’ hooves.

Barouche (or Calèche) Carriage – Of German design, the Barouche was introduced to England in the 1760s. It is a lightweight, four-wheeled, open carriage, where the passengers sit vis-à-vis (face to face). As a fancier carriage, there was a hood over the back which could be closed during inclement weather. They were originally pulled by four or more horses and were largely used by the wealthy.

The Barouche carriage has a special place in history as it was the type of carriage that Abraham Lincoln rode in on the night he was assassinated. 

Hansom Cab – One of the most popular forms of carriage was the Hansom – named after the designer Joseph Hansom, who patented this type of carriage in 1834 in England. The Hansom Cab was the predecessor to today’s taxis. It was a two-wheeled, two-seater that was light and agile, and only required one horse to pull it; the driver sat behind the cab. In its heyday, there were over 7,500 cabs operating in London alone.

Coronation Coach – Of course, the most gilded and ornamental coaches were nicer to view than they were to actually ride in. The Coronation Coach in Britain was built in 1762, weighs four tons and is covered in gold leaf. It’s so heavy that it requires eight horses and can still only be pulled at a walking pace. According to King William IV (who was a former Naval officer), riding in the Coronation Coach was like being “tossed in a rough sea.”

When Did the Horse and Buggy Era Decline?

Most experts believe the horse and buggy days started to fade out around 1910 when the horse and buggy was replaced by the automobile. Once the railway and personal automobile became readily available to the middle class, the horse and buggy fell out of favour as a mode of transport. Because the automobile could travel further distances and iron steam engine trains could haul many more travellers and cargo, there was much more freedom of mobility. Rather than being dependent on the horse, families could travel at a moment’s notice, without needing to stop to switch out teams.

Despite the decline in travel via horse-drawn buggy, the social nature of horses has seen them remain a constant companion to man.

4 horse hitch circa 1951

Get to Know Our Team of Working Horses

At Tally-Ho, we rely on our team of gorgeous Percheron, Belgian, Clydesdale and Shire horses to carry our guests throughout old towne Victoria, quaint country roads, or along custom-created routes for weddings and other special occasions. These breeds are known as draft horses and they are naturally able to pull Tally-Ho’s vis-a-vis carriages with ease, using only 20 percent of their actual capacity. They live just 25 minutes from downtown Victoria at Hidden Acres Farm where they live happily with their caregivers and other four-legged family members, including Tally-Ho’s retired horses.

The horse and buggy provide a truly special and intimate experience for any occasion. Tally-Ho Carriage Tours is Victoria’s original public transportation company, with services starting in the Gold Rush era of the 1850s, making this iconic company the longest-running, historical attraction in the city. It is recognized for its commitment to the ethical treatment and care of the magnificent, world-renowned draft horses. Allow their professional, fun-loving guides to delight you with the surrounding history, local folklore, and exclusive insights into their horses and operation. 

Now you can book your historic tour through the streets of downtown Victoria; a relaxing ride through the country on the Sea Cider Picnic Experience; an up-close experience with the horses on a Farm Tour; or seasonal offering such as the Haunted Halloween Tour, Caroling in the Country, or the Valentine’s Day Ho & Throw. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by phone at (250) 514- 9257, or email at tallyho@tallyhotours.com. Tally-Ho! Uniquely Charming. Famously Fun.

Why Do Horses Wear Shoes? And Other Strange Horse Facts

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Learn all About Horses and What Makes Them So Unique

Have you heard of the expression “no hoof, no horse”?

Horses’ hooves are a key element to their overall health and lifespan. They are made of keratin, which is the same protein as human hair and fingernails. Horses also have a spongy pad inside each hoof called the “frog” which helps with circulation and shock absorption.

As each foot must be able to individually bear the full weight of the horse, hoof health is extremely important. Professional farriers (horse shoers) are experts in hand-forging steel shoes for horses that provide additional support to muscles and bones, and balance the horses body. 

At Tally-Ho Carriage Tours our Certified Journeyman Farrier customizes a new shoe for each of the horses’ hooves every 5 to 7 weeks.

10 Quick Facts About Horses

  1. The tallest horse recorded in the Guinness World Records book (2011) was a Belgian gelding named Big Jake.  He stood 20 hands 2.75 in (210.19 cm, 82.75 in) and lived at Smokey Hollow Farm in Poynette, Wisconsin, USA.
  2. Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva a day. Yuck!
  3. The record of “longest jump over water by a horse” was done by “Something” who jumped 27 feet, 6 ¾ inches in 1975 Johannesburg, South Africa. Yes, that was actually the horse’s name.
  4. Horses with pink skin can get sunburned, however horses with white or dark skin typically don’t. At Tally-Ho we apply sunscreen in the summer to the soft pink noses of our Clydesdales.
  5. When foals are born, their hooves are covered in a soft tissue to protect the mother’s birth canal and uterus. The most notable nickname for this protective covering is “fairy slippers”.
  6. Horses are very smart animals. They are beyond proficient at learning, and can solve advanced spatial or social cognitive challenges. 
  7. The long, silky hairs that cover the lower half of draft horses’ legs are called “feathers”. Clydesdales and Shires have the heaviest feathering.
  8. Horses are measured in “hands”, or four–inch increments, a measurement that originated in ancient Egypt. For example, a horse that measures 58 inches from the ground up to the top of the withers is 14.2 hands high (hh). Any horse shorter than 14.2 hh (58 inches) is considered a pony, and any horse shorter than 8.2 hh (34 inches) is a miniature horse.
  9. Kazakh horse herders will milk the mares and ferment the milk to make “koumiss”, a mildly alcoholic drink.
  10. The record for “highest jump by a horse” was done by “Huaso” who jumped 8 feet, 1-¼ inches in 1949 Vina del Mar, Chile.

Horse History

About 50 million years ago, the original “horse” may have looked like a small goat, or deer: This creature was called “Hyracotherium”, which is also known as the “eohippus”, which translates to “The Dawn Horse”. 

Horses went extinct in North America approximately 8,000-10,000 years ago, but in the early 1500’s European settlers reintroduced them. In fact, horses that would be regarded as “wild” aren’t wild at all. They’re actually feral horses whose ancestors escaped captivity. The only true “wild” horses preside in Mongolia and they’re called “Przewalski’s horse” (pronounced pshuh-vahl-skeez). Now that’s a mouthful!

We Are Family

While it’s common knowledge that zebras, asses (wild donkeys), and donkeys are all related to the horse, rhinoceroses and tapirs are the closest living relatives outside the horse family.

A Body Built to Last

The average horse has about 205 bones in their body, which makes that 1 less than a human. Horses can live to be more than 30 years old, and the longest living horse was recorded in the 19th century. His name was “Old Billy” and he lived to the ripe old age of 62 years. You can actually estimate the age of a horse by its teeth, so if a horse is looking long in the tooth, you know they’re getting old!

Are Horses Colour Blind?

Horses have bigger eyes than any other land mammal. They were thought to be colorblind, but their monocular and binocular vision can see yellows and greens better than purples and violets. Because their eyes are on the side of their heads, they are capable of seeing nearly 360 degrees (except for the small blind spots in the front and back of them). Although they can see better at night than a human, it takes them much longer to adjust their pupils.

Horses Can Hear You Really Well

While a human has 3 muscles in their ears, horses have a whopping 10! This allows them to rotate each ear individually 180 degrees. Although horses have similar hearing to humans, they can hear a wider range of frequencies than we do. 

Did You Know Horses Can’t Throw Up? 

They aren’t able to burp or even breathe through their mouths due to the strong muscles and ligaments around their neck. They are only able to breathe through their nostrils. It’s a good thing they have such strong necks as they have no collarbone, and their head consists of about 5% of their entire body weight.

What Do Horses Eat?

Horses are herbivores, and the average 1,000-1,800 lb horse needs a total of about 20lbs of food a day. They prefer sweet flavors, and avoid bitter or sour tasting foods. Our 2,000 lb draft horses at Tally Ho eat about 50 lbs of food per day, consisting of a specially formulated haylage crop, plus supplementary grains (as recommended by a feed specialist); and drink over 50 gallons of water. Horses have the smallest stomach relative to their body size compared to any other domesticated animal. That means they require small, frequent meals throughout the day for optimal digestion and health.

Let’s Get Social

Horses are extremely social animals, and they will get lonely without companionship. They will also mourn the passing of a friend! Wild horses gather in groups of 3-20 animals, and without human training they adhere to a strict social structure. Typically, a mare (female horse) will decide where the herd moves while one or two stallions (male horses) will stay with the herd. Fillies (young female horses) and other mares will stay with the herd, while colts (young male horses) are typically cast out at 2 years of age by the stallion. Don’t worry, the colt will go find his own filly! 

The Tally-Ho horses are kept in herds of up to 10 horses per field (or paddock) to enable them to exercise their natural social habits.

Is That Horse Laughing?

Horses use their ears, eyes and nostrils to communicate. They use facial expressions, and vocalizations, which are called “whinnying” and “neighing” to communicate as well. Have you ever seen a horse look like it’s laughing? While that may look like it, they’re actually engaging in a special nose-enhancing technique called “flehman” to determine whether or not a smell is good or bad. So they probably didn’t think your joke was that funny….

Horse and Equestrian Culture Today

With approximately 400 breeds, and over 60 million horses around the world today, what are they all up to?

Most domesticated horses are still used to ride, do farm work, or ranch work. The horses mainly used for farm work are known as draft horses. These are a special breed that thrive on hard work and have no problem pulling a carriage or plow.  At Tally Ho, we have a very special bond with our herd of 16 wonderful draft horses. 

Some horse breeds are still bred for racing, and others compete in rodeos or horse shows. Some are specially trained for dancing or acrobatics. In many places around the world, horses are still used for ceremonies and historical re-enactments.horses have moustaches

Some horses are simply kept as pets, for companionship, or used for equestrian rehabilitation and therapeutic purposes. “Equine assisted therapy” is a growing field where horses help people with a wide variety of mental issues. These majestic creatures can help build trust, respect, compassion, communication, and self-confidence. 

One More Quick Fact:  Some horses have moustaches! All of our Clydesdales have excellent moustaches, with half brothers Jerry and Clay sporting the best ones. 

Come enjoy a carriage ride in Victoria and we’ll be happy to tell you more about the history, care and passion that drives Tally Ho Carriage Tours. You’ll never look at horses the same way again once you meet our gentle giants! For more information or to book a tour, please contact us by email or by phone.

 

Ideas for Your Family Staycation in Victoria

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20 Tried and True Family Staycation Ideas for a Weekend of Non-Stop Family Fun

A family staycation in Victoria and south Vancouver Island is the perfect solution for families looking for a fun weekend trip while staying close to home. Bonus- because you don’t need to spend a lot of time on the road, you’ll be able to pack more into your trip!

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is a historic city that exudes charm and character at every turn. There are lots of fun, interesting and educational things to do in Victoria to keep every member of the family entertained, whether they’re 8 or 80.

What Should I See in Victoria?

Victoria is full of top-rated attractions the whole family will enjoy such as:

  • Parks
  • Museums
  • Historic Building
  • Gardens
  • Unique attractions

At Tally-Ho Carriage Tours, we know Victoria inside and out and our team of tour guides are always happy to offer suggestions that our guests will enjoy. Take a look at our list of tried and true family staycation activities in the Victoria area below for some inspiration.

Top 20 Family Friendly Things to Do in Victoria BC

1. Royal BC Museum and Archives  – Great for those rainy days, the Royal BC Museum, on Belleville Street, is full of interactive and interesting exhibitions to keep everyone happy. Feature exhibitions change annually, check the website for current exhibitions.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours from Royal BC Museum and Archives

Head west on Belleville St toward Government St. Destination will be on the left.

2. Beacon Hill Park and Farm – Over 150 acres of park in the heart of the city; including manicured flower beds, ponds, natural areas, playgrounds, spray parks, picnic shelters, a rose garden and more. Don’t miss a visit to the Children’s Farm, most famous for its daily goat run.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Beacon Hill Park and Farm

Head west on Southgate St toward BC-1 N. Turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N (signs for Trans Canada Highway). Turn left onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

3. Miniature World – With 85 dioramas and displays to discover including model railways, castles, outer space, historical, fictional and fantasy worlds; the whole family will be intrigued by this small but mighty attraction on Humboldt Street.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Miniature World

Head northwest on Humboldt St toward Gordon St. Turn left onto Government St. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

4. Fisherman’s Wharf – Take a stroll on the seawall around the harbour to Fisherman’s Wharf where you will find a waterfront hub of food kiosks, unique stores and a village of 33 colourful float-homes.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Fisherman’s Wharf

Head southeast on Erie St toward St Lawrence St. Continue onto St Lawrence St. Turn right onto Superior St. Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto Oswego St. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the right.

5. Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites – Enjoy exploring the hidden bunkers and gun turrets of this 19th century military barracks that was used during the second world war. A short stroll takes you to the Fisgard Lighthouse, the first lighthouse to be built on Canada’s west coast.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse

Take Ocean Blvd to Island Hwy/Old Island Hwy N. Continue on Island Hwy. Take Craigflower Rd to Belleville St in Victoria. Turn right onto Island Hwy/Old Island Hwy N. Turn right onto Island Hwy (signs for View Royal). Continue onto Craigflower Rd. Continue onto Skinner St. Continue onto Tyee Rd. Turn left onto Esquimalt Rd. Continue onto Johnson St. Turn right onto Wharf St. Turn right onto Government St. Turn right onto Belleville Destination will be on the left.

6. Victoria Bug Zoo – What kid doesn’t like creepy crawlies? This mini-zoo offers the chance to get close to tropical bugs of all shapes and sizes. Discover around 50 species including giant stick bugs, praying mantis, and glow in the dark scorpions!

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Victoria Bug Zoo

Head west on Courtney St toward Gordon St. Turn left onto Government St. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

7. Hatley Park National Historic Site – Part of Royal Roads University, your kids might recognise Hatley Castle and it’s garden from one of the Disney Descendants movies that have been filmed on-site. The delightful garden includes a rose garden and Japanese garden with a pond. Can you spot the resident Peacock?

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Hatley Park National Historic Site

Take College Dr and Serpentine Rd to Sooke Rd. Take Island Hwy and Craigflower Rd to Belleville St in Victoria. Turn right onto Sooke Rd. Continue onto Island Hwy/Old Island Hwy N. Turn right onto Island Hwy (signs for View Royal). Continue onto Craigflower Rd. Continue onto Skinner St. Continue onto Tyee Rd. Turn left onto Esquimalt Rd. Continue onto Johnson St. Turn right onto Wharf St. Turn right onto Government St. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

8. Tally-Ho Carriage Tours – Create lasting family memories on a traditional horse drawn carriage tour with Tally-Ho. City tours, with our entertaining guides, start outside the BC Legislature building on Belleville Street, or try the new Sea Cider Picnic Experience showcasing beautiful farmland on the Saanich Peninsula, award winning coffees and ciders, and freshly prepared gourmet picnics.

9. Harbour Ferry ride – You can’t miss the bright, mini boats that zip around the Victoria harbour. Ride one as a water taxi or take a harbour tour. Look out for the water taxi ballet performed in the inner harbour every Sunday morning in the summer.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Victoria Harbour Ferry

Head west on Pandora Ave toward Broad St. Turn left onto Broad St. Turn left onto Johnson St. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

10. Wildplay Victoria – A must-visit for families with a head for heights. Choose between classic and extreme treetop adventure courses, fly through the air on a zip line tour or try your hand at axe throwing.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Wildplay Victoria

Take WildPlay Victoria Rd to Island Hwy/Old Island Hwy N. Continue on Island Hwy. Take Craigflower Rd to Belleville St in Victoria. Turn right onto Island Hwy/Old Island Hwy N. Turn right onto Island Hwy (signs for View Royal). Continue onto Craigflower Rd. Continue onto Skinner St. Continue onto Tyee Rd. Turn left onto Esquimalt Rd. Continue onto Johnson St. Turn right onto Wharf St. Turn right onto Government St. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

11. Victoria Butterfly Gardens – A staycation doesn’t mean you can’t see exotic animals! See thousands of butterflies like the Giant Owl Butterfly which has a wingspan of 150mm and looks like an Owl’s face. Frogs, tortoises, iguanas, flamingos and tropical birds can also be found at this vibrant jungle experience located close to Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, just north of Victoria.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Head northwest toward Keating Cross Rd. Turn right onto Keating Cross Rd. Merge onto Patricia Bay Hwy/BC-17. Continue to follow Patricia Bay Hwy. Patricia Bay Hwy turns right and becomes Belleville St/BC-17. Continue to follow Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

12. Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum – Built in the late 1800s, Craigdarroch is actually a Victorian mansion, which was built to reflect the wealth of its owner. Take a tour of the castle and visitor centre to find out more.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Craigdarroch Castle

Head east toward Joan Crescent. Turn right onto Joan Crescent. Turn right onto Rockland Ave. Turn left onto Cook St. Turn right onto Southgate St. Turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N (signs for Trans Canada Highway). Turn left onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

13. Wildlife and Whale Watching Tours – For your family staycation in Victoria, take to the water with a whale watching tour from downtown Victoria! Experience seeing and hearing seals, sea lions, porpoises and whales in their natural environment. Keep your eyes peeled for the pods of resident Orcas which live in local waters year round.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Prince of Whales – Whale Watching Adventures

Head southeast on Wharf St toward Government St. Turn right onto Government St. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

14. Butchart Gardens – Twenty minutes north of Victoria, these world famous gardens will wow every family member; with 55 acres of gardens to explore and the Rose Carousel, a favourite for kids of all ages.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Butchart Gardens

Follow Benvenuto Ave and Keating Cross Rd to Patricia Bay Hwy/BC-17. Continue on Patricia Bay Hwy to Victoria. Turn right onto Bay St. Turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

15. The Maritime Museum of BC – Located on Humboldt Street; a great place to take the little pirates in your life. Learn to tie sailor knots in one of the interactive, hands on exhibits, that teach visitors about BC’s rich maritime heritage.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From The Maritime Museum of BC

Head south on Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Turn right. Turn right toward Belleville St. Turn left toward Belleville St. Turn right toward Belleville St. Turn left toward Belleville St. Slight right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

16. Westshore Motorsports Park – Experience the roar of the engines at motor racing, stock car and big truck events which run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. 

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Westshore Motorsports Park

Head south on Hordon Rd toward Millstream Rd. Turn left onto Millstream Rd. Turn left onto the Trans Canada Highway/BC-1 S ramp to Victoria. Merge onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

17. Blenkinsop Adventure Mini Golf – A charming mini-golf course set in vibrant and colourful gardens. Open 7 days a week weather permitting. Winner has to buy everyone an ice-cream!

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Blenkinsop Adventure Mini Golf

Head west toward Blenkinsop Rd. Continue on Blenkinsop Rd. Take Cook St to Belleville St in Victoria. Turn left onto Blenkinsop Rd. Continue onto Maplewood Rd. Turn left onto Cook St. Turn right onto Caledonia Ave. Turn left onto Quadra St. Turn right onto Courtney St. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Blanshard St/Patricia Bay Hwy/BC-17. Continue onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

18. Play at a local beach – Cadboro-Gyro Park is a local favourite thanks to its play area featuring the ‘Cadborosaurus’. Willows Beach has lots of sand for castle building, two parks, washrooms and views of Mount Baker.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Cadboro-Gyro Park

Head northwest on Sinclair Rd toward Beachview Pl. Continue on Cadboro Bay Rd. Take Fort St and Yates St to Belleville St in Victoria. Turn left onto Cadboro Bay Rd. Slight right to stay on Cadboro Bay Rd. Continue onto Fort St. Continue onto Yates St. Turn left onto Quadra St. Turn right onto Courtney St. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Blanshard St/Patricia Bay Hwy/BC-17. Continue onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

19. Cool off with a yummy ice cream – Kid Sister Ice Cream in Chinatown’s FanTan alley serves up locally made ice-cream in waffle cones made on site. Beacon Drive in, at Beacon Hill Park whips up the best soft-serve in town. The only problem is choosing which flavour to try.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Kid Sister Ice Cream

Head north on Cook St toward Oxford St. Turn left onto Southgate St. Turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N (signs for Trans Canada Highway). Turn left onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Beacon Drive In Restaurant

Head southeast on Beacon St toward BC-1 N. Sharp left onto BC-1 N. Slight left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N (signs for Trans Canada Highway). Turn left onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

 

20. Finish the day with fish and chips – Family staycations are hard work! When the gang gets hungry, it has to be fish and chips for supper.  Try The Fish Store at Fisherman’s Wharf for seafood favourites in a unique setting or Finn’s Seafood, Chops & Cocktails on Wharf Street; a popular seafood restaurant with a view of the inner harbour.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From The Fish Store

Head east toward St Lawrence St. Turn left onto St Lawrence St. Turn right onto Superior St. Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto Oswego St. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the right.

Getting to Tally-Ho Carriage Tours From Finn’s Seafood, Chops & Cocktails

Head south on Wharf St toward Bastion Square. Turn right. Take the stairs. Turn right. Take the stairs. Turn right onto Belleville St. Destination will be on the left.

Make Your Staycation Magical with a Tally-Ho Horse Drawn Carriage Tour

Tally-Ho tours have been operating in Victoria since 1903 and continue to offer a unique, carriage-side view of this beautiful city to locals and visitors alike.

A small, family run business; Tally-Ho offers a number of different options for city tours, from a short and sweet 15-minute ride to a personalized 90-minute deluxe experience.

For a more rural adventure on your staycation in Victoria, we offer tours near our farm in Saanichton, including wonderful scenery and delicious refreshments on the Sea Cider picnic experience. Tally-Ho also offers custom tours for that special occasion. Contact us to find out more or reserve a tour.

 

Victoria Heritage Tours for the History Buff

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Step Back in Time and Enjoy Victoria’s Storied Past with a Horse-Drawn Heritage Tour

Victoria is the ideal setting for a heritage tour, as one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. British settlement in the city we know and love today began in 1843 and Victoria was declared the capital city on July 21, 1871. On that same day, British Columbia became the sixth province of the Dominion of Canada.

Today, Victoria is an exciting city that plays host to an incredible treasure trove of historical monuments. Some of the artifacts you’ll see on a heritage tour with Tally Ho are cemeteries, turn of the century gardens and even castles, like the famed Craigdarroch Castle.

Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir during the peak of the coal mining era on Vancouver Island, Craigdarroch is a glimpse into the life of the Dunsmuir family in the 1890’s.

Victoria was the site of Canada’s first police force and Canada’s largest Chinatown. It was also a hotbed of activity during the gold rush and coal mining era and so much more. There are countless stories and legends to discover, all hidden among the streets and historic sites of this modern Canadian city.

Tally Ho Carriage Tours is Part of Victoria’s Heritage

At Tally-Ho Tours, we love being able to show our guests all sides of Victoria’s rich history. A large part of why we have such fun and informational tours is because we ARE a part of Victoria’s history. At Tally-Ho, we’ve been a fixture in downtown Victoria since the Gold Rush, and officially incorporated as Victoria’s original public transportation/tourism company in 1903.

Started by Anton Henderson, the original stagecoach tours started near where Mayfair Mall is located today (the old Tally-Ho bar was originally the Tally-Ho horse stable). Back then, a route from Mt. Tolmie to Victoria would have cost 15 cents and the stagecoaches were packed with people. By the 1940s there were 13 horse-drawn wagons operating, each requiring a set of 6 horses to transport the crowds of families and tourists.

Today’s private single-horse-drawn carriage tours are meant for 2-6 people for tourism and enjoyment only.

At Tally-Ho, we are dedicated to preserving Victoria’s heritage by providing a unique, educational and memorable experience. This is why every member of the Tally-Ho family works tirelessly to provide the best experience possible for all of our guests.

What Can You Expect to Learn About on a Heritage Tour of Victoria with Tally-Ho?

Our knowledgeable guides tend to be history lovers themselves and are highly trained in the history of Victoria. Each of our fully guided private tours are geared towards highlighting the fascinating history of downtown Victoria and the seaside of James Bay, Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood. Some featured landmarks throughout James Bay include the home of famed artist Emily Carr, Mile 0 and St. Ann’s Academy.

We don’t want to give too much away in advance! Just know that the alleys, squares and buildings built so long ago might contain modern businesses and restaurants now, but they hold countless sordid, fun and fascinating tales from times gone by.

Depending on the tour you choose, our professional and knowledgeable guides can tell you anything you wish to know about the area. From spooky ghost stories in October to tales of Victorian Christmases in December, legends from historic Chinatown and more, your wish is our command. Of course, each tour is predetermined with the major stories and popular highlights from Victoria’s past but our guests have often been surprised at the depth of knowledge that our friendly guides share.

What is The Most Popular Historic Tour?

By far our most popular tour for true history buffs is our Heritage Tour. During this 30-minute tour, your guide will regale you with tales from the lives of past and present Victorians as you travel through charming James Bay. As your horse’s hooves gently clip clop along the streets, you’ll learn all about the heritage district. Marvel at the stunning architecture and picturesque gardens before enjoying a short meander along the waterfront.

Settled comfortably in your carriage guided by one of our gentle giant draft horses, you can let your imagination take you back in time. Imagine a simpler time, a slower pace and take a deep breath as history comes to life all around you.

A Historic Horse and Carriage Tour Makes a Perfect Gift for Your Favourite History Enthusiast

For a truly unique birthday gift, anniversary gift, or just-because gift, a gift certificate for a Tally-Ho Carriage Tour is a wonderful choice. Choose from our many popular city tours, from the 15-minute Short and Sweet Tour, to our 75-minute Grand Tour. You can even create your own Premier a-la-carte tour with our helpful team.

“Our tour guide driver was very friendly and knowledgeable of the heritage and history of Victoria. The ride was very safe and relaxing, and we felt very special and were treated like royalty. Highly recommended and well worth the price.”

-Morna, Niagara Falls, ON.

Are There Any New Victoria Heritage Tours Being Offered Outside of the City?

Yes, there are! For a limited time, our Tally-Ho and Sea Cider Experience gives our guests the opportunity to learn about the past and present of nearby rural Saanichton. A charming farm community, Saanichton holds plenty of stories of its own which are shared during this extra special tour.

If you’re looking for things to do in Victoria, nothing beats a guided tour in the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage. What better way to slip back in time than by enjoying the transportation that was mainstream hundreds of years ago? Our Victoria heritage tours are a fun experience for all ages and are always a popular choice for tourists and residents alike. To book your tour, contact Tally-Ho Carriage Tours at 1-866-383-5067 or email us at tours@tallyhotours.com.

 

Getting Engaged? 5 Reasons to Consider a Horse-Drawn Carriage

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Consider a Horse and Buggy for your Once-In-A-Lifetime Wedding Proposal

When you’ve met the love of your life, you just know you want to spend every day with them, forever. You might find yourself looking at rings and thinking about how to propose without even realizing it. At Tally-Ho Carriage Tours, we are always honoured to be a part of weddings, engagements and anniversaries. Nothing quite compares to the romance and allure of an intimate horse-drawn carriage ride through historic Victoria, BC. It’s a setting that is guaranteed to make your future fiancé say yes!

Top 5 Reasons to Consider a Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour for Your Wedding Proposal

1. A Horse and Buggy Tour is Elegant and Romantic

Cinderella and Prince Charming did it, Kate and William did it and you and your love can do it too.  With Tally-Ho Tours, you’ll feel like royalty as you take in the sights of downtown Victoria in an elegant, comfortable and well-appointed carriage, pulled by one of our handsome draft horses.

2. A Horse and Buggy Tour Can Be Intimate or a Public Declaration of Your Love

Some people dream of a big, public proposal. Others want that incredible life-changing moment to be private. Whichever side you and your intended fall on, we can make it work so your moment is absolutely perfect. Whether you choose to sweetly whisper in their ear or shout it out for all the world to hear, just let us know your preference.

3. A Horse and Buggy Tour Can Be Custom Designed

Whether you want your driver to follow one of our popular tour routes or you have something else in mind, Tally-Ho can accommodate. Whether you have a special place that holds happy memories for the two of you, or you want to stop for gelato to celebrate, we’ll work with you to design a memorable journey into engaged life.

4. Victoria is Home to Gorgeous Gardens and Scenery

Victoria is known as the Garden City for good reason. In full bloom, Victoria’s many public gardens are absolutely breathtaking. Or maybe you prefer ocean views? Whatever you’re picturing for your perfect proposal, Victoria is THE place to pop the question.

5. Tally-Ho Carriage Tours Will Take Care of the Details

When someone suspects a proposal may be coming, they might be looking for clues! Our staff can help keep them guessing by preparing your carriage with any special gifts you might want to bring along such as flowers, champagne or any other additions you’re planning for your very special tour. For special arrangements, just let us know at the time of booking and we can prepare your carriage with any special additions you’ve supplied in advance. At Tally-Ho, we’d be honoured to help you plan the proposal your future husband or wife has always dreamed of.

 

Choose Your Ideal Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour for Your Wedding Proposal

Not sure about a custom tour? We offer a variety of prearranged tour routes to choose from.

Short and Sweet- A sweet 15-minute tour allows you to enjoy a change of pace as you take in the sights of the parliament buildings and Victoria’s inner harbour.

Heritage Tour- A 30-minute tour through the James Bay residential district, this is a wonderful tour for history buffs.

Beacon Hill Park Tour- This 45-minute tour winds through beautiful Beacon Hill Park, providing an ideal stopping off point for a surprise proposal in the gardens or a favourite special spot.

Deluxe Tour- A full 60 minutes, this tour meanders through the gardens of Beacon Hill Park, through Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood of James Bay, and along the Salish Sea waterfront for a truly slowed-down, relaxed experience. A wonderful way to unwind after dinner at one of Victoria’s many romantic restaurants, this is one of our most popular tours.

Grand Tour- At 75 minutes, this is THE tour for experiencing the Salish Sea waterfront at its finest. You’ll both feel refreshed as you tour through Beacon Hill Park and enjoy the fresh sea air on a lengthy tour of the waterfront.

Sea Cider Picnic Experience- For a limited time only, we’re also offering the truly special Tally-Ho and Sea Cider Picnic Experience. As far as intimate and unique tours go, this would be an amazing choice for any soon-to-be engaged couple!

Offered on Sundays only until the end of September, you’ll tour through the quaint farming community of Saanichton and learn about the history of the area. You’ll arrive at Sea Cider farm, where you’ll have the chance to sample award-winning locally produced ciders and enjoy a gourmet picnic supplied by Truffles Catering Co.

Including everything from grilled seasonal vegetables to Parisienne macarons, the menu is designed to accommodate all tastes and dietary needs. After lunch, you can choose your favourite ciders to take home to continue your celebration! For the final leg of the tour, you’ll enjoy a relaxed ride through Longview Farm, with gorgeous ocean views to complement the pastoral setting.  

Jayne F left us this lovely review on TripAdvisor after her son’s wedding on May 1 2021:

“My son booked a surprise horse and carriage for his wife to pick them up yesterday after their small wedding of ten people yesterday at St. Anne’s Academy. Donna was so pleasant to deal with and bent over backwards to make sure this was a special ride for the happy couple. 

Spot the Clydesdale arrived at the academy looking so splendid with his show ribbons and black patent reins. His tail had even been carefully braided in the shape of a heart! A “just married” sign on the back of the carriage was the icing on the cake! A wonderful “covid friendly” ride for a memorable way of celebrating their marriage! THANK YOU!!”

As a small, family-owned and operated business, we know how important it is to get your marriage started off on the best foot (hoof?) possible. With our relaxed tour itineraries, options to customize your tour or even design your own, and entertaining and friendly guides, we know that your proposal with Tally-Ho Tours will be a memory that you and your loved one will cherish forever.

Getting engaged soon? As experts in providing premium, romantic horse-drawn tours in the Victoria, BC area since 1903, we’ve been a part of many love stories over the years. We’d love to be part of yours! To reserve your tour or inquire about a custom tour for your engagement, please call us at 250-514-9257 or send an email to tours@tallyhohours.ca.

Our Draft Horses – The Care and Keeping of Our Happy Herd

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How We Keep Our Draft Horses Emotionally and Physically Healthy

At Tally-To Carriage Tours, our herd of gorgeous horses are the heart of our success as a wholesome tourism company. Bred to work, our horses thrive on the company and interaction they receive, which is evident in their friendly, laid-back dispositions. The horses are viewed as partners and as members of our family, and everyone who works with them is committed to ensuring they’re in the best of health. This means they receive the best training, are mentally healthy and happy and are bonded with their drivers and trainers. We love our horses and they love us right back.

The History of the Draft Horse

Breeds like Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons and Shire horses are known as Draft (or Draught) Horses. Born and bred from a long lineage of working horses, these guys are docile, confident and they love to work. A draft horse can very easily pull vehicles that are six times their weight while only using about 20% of their full strength.

Originating from ancient warhorses, their reputation as gentle giants has made draft horses the top choice for providing transportation and doing farm work for centuries. This long partnership has also led to innate trust among horses and their people. It’s been found that Draft horses that do not have a purpose or a specific role to fulfill exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety. These guys are social animals and they also love to have a dependable routine.  At Tally-Ho, our herd of sixteen draft horses consists of Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, Shires and a Suffolk Punch: all happy, calm horses that thrive on having a job to do.

The Tally-Ho Horses at Work

At Tally-Ho, our trusted drivers and trainer provide our horse companions with the very best tools they need to be able to do their job safely and well. Every horse is given a frequent health check and watched closely for any sign of illness or fatigue. Just like humans, if a horse is not up to a shift of pulling carriages, they are not expected to work. The care team is trained to be able to easily tell if a horse is not feeling their best. This could be indicated by posture and signs of stress or agitation. All horses have easy access to food and water and are carefully monitored during inclement or hot weather.

Pre-Shift Check

At the beginning of every shift, our horses are fed and groomed before being transported to downtown Victoria. Both horse and carriage are thoroughly checked over with a pre-trip check to make sure the horse is in good spirits and mentally / physically ready for the shift. Taking this time to connect with our horses creates a bond that lasts throughout the shift. This bonding time also helps the horse to feel even more calm and sociable towards guests.

Communicating with the Horses

Because humans and draft horses have been working side by side for over 6,000 years, our drivers and horses feel at home with one another. Each horse knows his or her name and forms a special bond with their co-worker (driver) and can be easily guided by hearing their name followed by a standard command. For example, to go faster, the horse must hear their name, e.g. “Sarge” then the command, e.g.  “step up” after a pause. This creates clear communication between horse and driver, maintaining a calm and relaxed environment. The same vocabulary is used for all the horses to prevent any confusion or misunderstanding.

Our horses trust their co-workers implicitly and can only be touched by guests when and if the horse is relaxed and open to the interaction. Because draft horses are so friendly, this is rarely an issue. Horses do get treats from the public from time to time. If the driver allows it and it’s safe for that particular horse to eat, they get to enjoy it for “dessert.”

To keep the job light and breezy, we also have the horses walk, rather than trot. Constant trotting can create a lot of wear and tear on a horses’ joints. The goal is to be as gentle and kind to our horses as we can be, both at work and at home.

The Horses at Home

Our happy horses have a short commute of 25 minutes to and from Hidden Acres Farm before and after every shift. There, they enjoy a lush pasture and complete privacy in their horse paddock with their herd of humans, cats, dogs, ponies and our retired carriage horses. The horses love to play and they are positively spoiled by their trainers and caregivers. At the end of their shift, they’re immediately brought home to their relaxed and private farm for treats, social time, and a well-deserved rest.

The Horse’s Diet and Nutrition

draft horses the care and keeping of our happy herd

Draft horses weigh a ton (about 1800 pounds on average) and eat a ton too. In a single year, our herd of working horses eat 400 tons of a specially created high-quality feed. This consists of haylage crop plus 36,000 pounds of supplementary grains. The supplements are designed by feed specialists to be tailored to each horse’s individual nutritional needs. The supplements given to each horse varies by age, body weight, workload and physical condition. They’re also given gallons of clean water around the clock, to ensure proper hydration.

The Horses’ Veterinary Care and Hoof Care

The Tally-Ho horses receive personalized care that goes far beyond basic horse care. Our horses have an entire team of specialists tending to their every health need. They receive routine treatments like deworming and shots. A veterinarian closely monitors each horse’s individual requirements, body condition score and any weight loss or changes. Any specific needs are tended to immediately. The herd also receives specialized dental care, as well as adjustments by equine chiropractors and treatments by equine massage therapists. The horses sometimes like to snooze during these treatments, which are designed to ensure optimal muscle and joint health, but the horses regard it as more of a spa experience. 

As any equestrian or horse owner knows, a horse’s hooves must be kept in tip-top shape. Farriers visit weekly and by appointment to provide pedicures to the herd, where each horse is carefully examined for hoof health. This includes providing custom-made shoes for each horse, checking for proper gait and balance to ensure long-lasting joint and muscle health. Above all, we work hard to ensure that the horses are happy and comfortable in their shoes.

The Horse’s Retirement

The Tally-Ho draft horses in our herd range from 9 to the mid-twenties (the normal lifespan for draft horses). Our horses retire generally between the ages of 19 and 25, depending on their physical and mental conditions. After retirement, our senior horses enjoy many happy years as beloved pets on Hidden Acres Farm, with many living well into their thirties due to the gentle nature of the work they perform and their overall care.

How You Can Help Take Care of the Tally-Ho Horses

The Covid-19 pandemic has had quite the effect on the tourism industry. Having to shut down and reduce tour hours has meant a dramatic decrease in funding for the care and keeping of our beautiful horses. To help ensure that the horses continue to get all the spa treatments and specialized diets they require to be happy and healthy, you can now sponsor a horse of your choice. 

To sponsor a horse, just choose your favourite, choose a package and know that your generous contribution will go to ensuring that the Tally-Ho horses receive all the veterinarian care, shelter, food and tools they need.

Proper care and keeping of our horses is essential for providing the best experience with Tally-Ho Carriage Tours. After all, our equine friends are the stars of the show. Serving downtown Victoria for over 115 years, and now serving the Saanich Peninsula, we welcome you to join us for an old-fashioned horse and carriage tour. 

This summer, we’re offering our exclusive Tally-Ho and Sea Cider Picnic experience, a beautiful countryside carriage tour through Central Saanich, complemented with a delectable picnic lunch, organic coffee and a tasting of award-winning, organic ciders. We have also created our new Tally-Ho Farm Tour, providing guests an exclusive opportunity to meet the horses up close and learn about their daily care.  Reservations for all tours are recommended. Contact us by phone or email to book your tour today!