|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Started in rural Ramona California in 2004, we are a small family business. We love horses, driving carriages, riding, and making people's events more memorable.
Meet our Driver
Colleen Finch is the owner and driver and is the main caretaker of the horses. She hails from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and has always had a love for horses. She's been riding for over 10 years and has been driving carriages for 5 years. She enjoys entering the horses in local horse shows and large county fair shows. You can see them in action in our Photo Album. Her goal is to make your event a memorable one.
Meet our Coachman
Michael Finch is the Coachman. His job is to make sure your ride is safe and enjoyable. He was born in Southern California and is currently on active duty in the Navy. He is an amateur astronomer and can make your evening carriage ride interesting by pointing out the bright constellations, stars, and planets visible during the ride. Sorry the telescope doesn't get to go with us on the ride. He'll be your driver on the second carriage in a two carriage event.
Meet our Horses
We are a draft horse family. These heavy, strong gentle giants are wonderful horses. To learn more about draft horses, here or here.
Billy and Annie are pure-bred Percherons. They come from a long line of beautiful draft horses that were originally bread to carry Knights during the medieval times in old Europe. Click here, here, or here for more historical information on the Percheron. Check out the photographs of Percherons of the past below. Later and still today, they are used as plow horses and to pull wagons and carriages all over the world.
Jed is a pure-bred Belgian. Belgians were originally bred in Belgium and were known to exist in Europe during the Roman Empire. These powerful horses were also used in battle by the knights and are thought by many to have provided the genetic material for all the draft breeds today. Belgian have a distinctive reddish brown body and sport either a blonde or red-blonde mane. Click here, here, or here for more historical information on the Belgian. Check out the photographs of Belgians of the past below.
Draft horses are capable of pulling 3 times their weight, but don't expect them to break any land-speed records. These guys work hard and slow for a long time. Percherons and Belgians share the draft horse distinction with other breeds including American Cream Drafts, Ardennes, Brabant Belgians, Clydesdales, Spotted Drafts, Shires, and Suffolk Punch Drafts. It should be noted that many believe American Cream Drafts, Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, Shires, and Suffolk Punches are true breeds of draft horses. To learn more about draft horses, here or here.
Silverview Billy, our black Percheron is younger than Annie. He is about 18 hands high and weighs approximately 2,000 pounds. We bought Billy at a horse auction in northern Virginia. He was our first experience with a draft horse. He really lives up to the reputation of being a gentle giant. He absolutely loves people, so much so he was a challenge to train when he was young. He was like a puppy always wanting to play or to be petted. He was good at "helping" clean his stall when he dumped the full wheel barrow or stole the manure rake. He quickly learned to open his gate and to grab the bag of carrots as we walked him out of the barn. Skinny and awkward at first, he's matured and has become a very trustworthy horse in any situation. Billy loves to work (but we think he likes getting to see new people best).
Currently out of service due to injury, Uni-Q Bradley's Annette (Annie) was once the wedding favorite is about 17.3 hand high and weighs about 1,800 pounds. We bought Annie in Ramona after she was rescued from a Premarin (estrogen replacement) farm in North Dakota. Fortunately the United States has outlawed these farms with the advent of synthetic Premarin. These farms are almost completely closed in Canada as well. We're not sure how many foals Annie has had but she has definitely done her share to contribute to the health of many women in our country. Now she is living the good life in a cushy stall across the street from a huge equestrian center where she and Billy get to play at least every other day. She also likes to go on trail rides as long as Billy comes along. She loves to follow him and really has a fit if she gets left behind.
Jed, our Belgian, is the youngest of our three draft horses. He is about 19 hands high, weighs approximately 2,000 pounds, and is still growing! We bought Jed from a well know Belgian trainer in Lakeside, California. He came to us with horse show and parade experience. You might have seen him in the 2006 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Once living with us, we spent a few months getting Jed ready to pull carriages for wedding, street fairs, etc. like our other gentle giants, he is now ready and eager to work. He also enjoys getting out to work and see people.
You can always feel secure when you are visiting our website. Check out our Disclaimers page for more information. Our website is family friendly and has been rated safe for all ages by:
This site has been found to be compliant with
U.S. Section 508 Accessibility Guidelines
by
|
Give us a call (619) 322-0586 or e-mail us at
to book your special event or check out our
Community Support page to find out where we will be next. Come join us, we'd love to give you a ride! Also please take a few minutes to read
comments from our customers.
If you would like more information, please call (619) 322-0586 or e-mail us at . Thank you. Do you have a question or comment for our staff? Contact the Do you have website questions, comments, or suggestions? Contact our Last updated: 
| Home | Contact Us | Photo Album | |
