Charleston
carriage rides with The Old South Carriage Company features the
best carriage tour guides, horses, and carriages in Charleston, SC. Stop
by our stable at 14 Anson Street and see for yourself the quality of our
operation. The carriage tour guide makes the difference but when you see
our stable, our horses, and our carriages you will immediately appreciate
the care and attention to detail that Old South Carriage Company dedicates
to guarantee a quality tour and a wonderful carriage ride.
Old
South Carriage Company uses Percheron & Belgian draft horses. Our horses
are the best-trained and best-cared for horses in Charleston.
The horses can easily drag 3 times their own weight on skids (not wheels) much as their ancestors were called to do as the workhorses of the American farm in the early 1800's.
A draft horse in reasonable condition can pull carriages for over 200 straight days without experiencing a muscle pull or fatigue. Old South Carriage horses work only 14 days per month on average however. 1
During
high season Old South operates two shifts of horses so that no animal will
have to work too many tours in a single day. Additionally, Old South is fortunate
to have a large, well ventilated barn where the horses enjoy rest and water
between tours. The barn features large "box stalls" that enable
the horses to lie down and rest at will. The horse's temperature, respiration,
and overall condition are evaluated after every tour.
Old South's horses wear replaceable 1 and ½ inch thick rubber "tires" that are attached to their metal shoes. The rubber tires insulate the horse's feet from the pavement, absorb shock, and improve traction.
In addition to the daily attention the horses receive from their caretakers they are visited frequently by a veterinarian and farrier (blacksmith).
Old
South Carriage Company operates a 65 acre plantation, Sugah Cain,
on Johns Island outside Charleston. The horses relax and play at Sugah Cain
2 - 3 months each year when they are not working.
Please visit Old South's carriage barn at 14 Anson Street and witness first hand the quality of the horses, the excellent facilities, and the level of care and treatment the horses receive.
Charleston SC carriage tours: Old South Carriage Company operates the best fleet of carriages in Charleston and offers the best carriages rides available.
Our
carriages are, on average, larger, better built and better maintained than
other carriages in town. All of Old South's surrey-style carriages feature
four rows of seats accommodating four to a row. The "Surrey Carriages
With a Fringe on Top" have canopy tops that provide shade for passengers
and protection from the elements.
Carriages
are pulled from service every 6 months for a mechanical check up and refurbishing.
Watch carriages roll past on of the street of Charleston, and it is immediately
apparent which company operates the best carriages in town.
Each horse has his own bridle and harness (leather supports, pulls, etc.) to provide for a custom fit. Old South Carriage uses heavy duty harnesses that include, for example, triple layers of leather hand stitched trace lines. The horse's gear is inspected daily for wear and tear and equipment is replaced as needed.
Old South is the only carriage company that outfits all of its animals with form fitting "closed" diapers.
In addition to the surrey carriages, Old South operates the largest fleet of vis-à-vis (Cinderella style) carriages. These can be rented for private tours, weddings, and other functions.
1 From: The Draft Horse Primer by Maurice Telleen - Editor, Draft Horse Journal
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