The Workforce
There’s no doubt that the most important members in this business are the horses!
We originally acquired our first two Percheron cross colts while working for The Home Ranch in Colorado back in 1998. Little did we know, that those two foals would someday be memorized on our logo for Out West Wagon Rides!
We have come to like the draft crosses, specifically the Percheron / Quarter Horse cross. It produces semi heavy horse weighing in around 1500 lbs., with the mind of the pulling horse, but still small enough to ride.
Draft crosses, especially Thoroughbred / draft crosses, made up the largest portion of coach horses in the old times. Thoroughbred remount stallions were widely available and were crossed on draft type mares. The result was a harness horse with the stamina and ground covering gait of the Thoroughbred to haul passengers and freight.
All of our horses are a Percheron / Quarter Horse cross. The Percheron is a heavy draft breed that originated in France and is dominantly black or grey.
We have acquired all of our horses as weanlings or yearlings out of Canada and all have been raised and trained by Carl and myself. A lot of preparation, work and training goes into developing a safe and trusting driving horse. There’s a special relationship that has formed between us and our horses.
Besides the wagon rides and occasional competitions, all of our horses work on different farm equipment, including harrows, discs, mowers, rakes, manure spreaders and sleds, and we even have done some horse logging as well have pulled some historical equipment such as a Fresno and road grader for demonstrations.
Elf
Our oldest member of the team is “Elf”: Born in 1998, this bay gelding weighs in at around 1450 lbs and has the agility of a Quarter Horse. Elf is my lead horse in the 4 up and he’s the one in charge of our little herd! He’s semi retired now and enjoys an easier life.
Spike
In memory:
"Spike” was Elf’s main team mate and was the big and gentle giant! At almost 1600 pounds in his prime, Steady Eddy was his middle name and everyone loved his flapping lower lip! He has definitely been that special horse you could always rely on.
He left behind some very big shoes to fill …
Eddie and Mo
Up and Coming!
We are excited to have added “Mighty Mo” and “Eddie” to our workforce! We are hopeful that these two colts will turn out to be a valuable part of our team. Born in 2021, these Percheron / Quarter Horse crosses will be slowly continuing their education over the next few years.
And eventually, they too will give memorable wagon rides to young and old!
Sid, Manny and Diego
Our 3 main workers are half-brothers: born in 2013 to different Percheron mares, but the same Quarter Horse stallion. Named after “Ice Age” characters, they couldn’t be more different from each other!
“Sid” is the most conservative member of the herd! Slow and steady is his preference! He’s 16.2 hands and at barely 1350 lbs., he does not hesitate pulling the same loads! He just prefers a much slower pace than his half-brothers, if he can have a say in it!
“Manny” is a 17 hand seal brown powerhouse of a horse ! He’s a quiet lover, all business and pleasing, but a bit of an over achiever. Never needing more than a verbal command, he’s another great horse to have in the lead of the 4 up or unicorn hitches. He weighs in at 1560 lbs.
“Diego”, born black, has turned into a stunning grey! 1520 lbs., and at 17.1 hands he can certainly cover a lot of real estate with his lovely trot and is a fun horse to drive single. He’s bright eyed, his radar is always up, and nothing escapes him! He definitely towers over the others!