Sunday, August 10, 2014

Experience Romance And History With A Horse Drawn Carriage

By Annabelle Holman


Long before the invention of the different types of engine, people had to use animal power to get them from one location to another. Wagons pulled by oxen and donkeys were popular for transporting goods but when a fancier type of transport was called for, nothing could beat carriages pulled by fine horses. To relive the glamour and romance of those days, people from Sherwood Park AB to New York NY treat themselves to a ride in a horse drawn carriage.

Carriages are a popular tourist attraction in many parts of the world. For example, in Granada, a Spanish-colonial city in Nicaragua, horses are decorated with fancy headdresses when they transport tourists along the cobbled streets. If you don't feel like walking or rollerblading through New York's Central Park, the best way to explore this vast oasis of greenery is with the help of some horses.

In some places, carriages are not only a tourist attraction but an everyday mode of transport. This is true in the Amish counties of Pennsylvania, for instance. On Mackinac Island, a popular destination in Michigan and famous for the delicious fudge made here, cars are banned and carriages are the way to get around.

Because horses and carriages evoke romance, they're perfect for a date. It's wise though to bring something warm, especially if you're taking your date for a ride at night or on a snowy day. Now you just need to pack a picnic basket and remember to bring a bottle of good wine or champagne to sip on during the journey.

When your date has been sufficiently impressed, it may be time to start arranging the wedding. For a true fairy-tale event, rent the most stylish of the carriages available, as well as the most beautiful horses you can find, to transport the happy couple on the day. Remember to adorn the animals with ribbons for a bit of royal romance.

While royalty is most often seen in stately carriages at formal events, one member of the British royal family has helped to add a twist to the tradition. Prince Philip gave up polo to take up a competitive sport known as carriage driving instead. He even helped to write the rules of this equestrian sport, which includes disciplines such as dressage.

There is a large variety of carriages to choose from and you need to take into account why you would need one. For a wedding or a romantic date, a stately open-top carriage is the way to go. For competitive driving, you need to choose a lightweight vehicle instead. It's also important to remember that not just any horse will be suitable. While thoroughbreds with long and slender legs are perfect for horse-racing, you should opt instead for animals that have a strong, stockier build. They need to be trained in pulling carriages too and it's essential that they're in top condition.

There are different places where you'll be able to get carriages and horses. Open-air museums might be willing to rent these to you if you're lucky. However, your best bet is to contact stables in your area. If they can't rent out carriages themselves, they might be able to point you in the right direction.




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