goodhors
Nov. 15, 2009, 07:26 PM
We recently got back from vacation, which included a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. The horse presentations at Williamsburg include a Postillion with carriage, that you can get rides in for a fee. Postillion is dressed in colorful livery, with the appropriate vehicle for the time of colonial settlers in the Virgina Colony.
We were REALLY interested in how the horses and vehicle were set up, what she used for the off horse. Got to see it all, up close and personal. She was helpful, EXTREMELY skillful in handling her Pair and the vehicle.
There are several vehicles and Pairs that are available for rides at Williamsburg with reservations. Price was not expensive and you get the tour with historical commentary. You can ask questions about horses or almost any part of Williamsburg and get the answers from the driver. Each vehicle is different, all very well done in bright colors as they would appeared in those times. Drivers are attired in livery for the era.
Horses being used were in wonderful, FIT shape with lovely SHOEING, not common on commercial horses. Harness is very nice, well fitted, also historic appearing for the colonial times.
Husband knows Richard Nichols, the person in charge of the horses and animals at Colonial Williamsburg, so we contacted his office to see if he was available. Yes, so come over to the horse block, and meet him there. Richard might be known to others here as the WEG in Kentucky designer for the Driving things.
Richard showed us around the Stables, explained his conditioning and training modifications to get horses suitable for use in Colonial Williamsburg. Many horses come, but few are chosen. Standards needed to be successful there are EXTREMELY high for the equines in so many varied situations.
He had a number of vehicles they use for visitors, like the Queen last year. They practice routines to make things perfect, way before the day of it happening. Horses train with soldiers marching, rifle firing practices, bands playing and marching about, HEAVY crowds, to be the solid citizens he needs driving around. We found his information to be extremely interesting, very reasoned out so they are successful in their horse program.
The horses with carriages get driven daily, putting in many miles to be that fit, though most are walking miles. Carriages are historic recreations, have roller bearing wheels to ease the pulling for horses. Richard said the steel wheels on vehicles are historically correct, with the benefit of having improved town's the roads they drive on, pressing the peastone into the tar or crushing rocks, so surfaces are solid and very hard. Makes an easy driving surface to roll along on. Have to say walking on loose peastone was not as nice as the solid road parts!
Newish stables were very airy, helps in keeping things cooler in summer. They had both box and tie stalls, but all horses have outside pasture time daily. Will be stealing his manger idea of expanded metal on the bottom! What a good way to keep the mangers dry, easy to clean!! Large aisles, an overhead cover for hitching and unhitching the vehicles, carriage storage, harness storage right at hand. Covered shoeing area. Everything well thought out and very functional. Everything done to a high standard in cleaning, presenting the horse and all equipment. Glad I don't have to keep all that harness cleaned and ready to go! Was all soft and very nice.
We asked Richard about the Postillion driven vehicle. He said she is probably the most experienced Postillion driver in the world by sheer number of hours spent in the saddle. Out daily, giving the customers rides. She had a rein arrangement to direct the other horse, wore a leg protector boot, even though her leg ended above the pole. Another historically correct piece of attire for the Postillion to prevent their leg being broken by the horse side and pole.
We also complimented Richard on his extremely FIT oxen seen plowing a field. He told us they were Red Devon crosses, which is where the white lineback and tails came from. The muscles just rippled on those cattle and the shine blinded you!
Colonial Williamsburg is also dedicated to supporting rare breeds, with the Leicester Longwool sheep, Red Devon cattle, American Cream Horse and others animals visible around the town and farms.
We had a wonderful day, wandering the town, eating lunch at the Inn, with the BEST crabcakes I have had! Viewing the horses and carriages is free, just walk around the town and you will see them making their rounds. Colonial Williamsburg has ridden horses too, which carry people depicting historical figures, the Town Crier making announcements, officers with soldiers. It was just fun all day with the many things to see and activities to watch. Did fire up my patriotism hearing the historic speeches!
Here are some photos, the first 8 are Colonial Williamsburg. 7 are horses, with the 8th being the driven oxen.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2711548750096750802Kxyhwc
We were REALLY interested in how the horses and vehicle were set up, what she used for the off horse. Got to see it all, up close and personal. She was helpful, EXTREMELY skillful in handling her Pair and the vehicle.
There are several vehicles and Pairs that are available for rides at Williamsburg with reservations. Price was not expensive and you get the tour with historical commentary. You can ask questions about horses or almost any part of Williamsburg and get the answers from the driver. Each vehicle is different, all very well done in bright colors as they would appeared in those times. Drivers are attired in livery for the era.
Horses being used were in wonderful, FIT shape with lovely SHOEING, not common on commercial horses. Harness is very nice, well fitted, also historic appearing for the colonial times.
Husband knows Richard Nichols, the person in charge of the horses and animals at Colonial Williamsburg, so we contacted his office to see if he was available. Yes, so come over to the horse block, and meet him there. Richard might be known to others here as the WEG in Kentucky designer for the Driving things.
Richard showed us around the Stables, explained his conditioning and training modifications to get horses suitable for use in Colonial Williamsburg. Many horses come, but few are chosen. Standards needed to be successful there are EXTREMELY high for the equines in so many varied situations.
He had a number of vehicles they use for visitors, like the Queen last year. They practice routines to make things perfect, way before the day of it happening. Horses train with soldiers marching, rifle firing practices, bands playing and marching about, HEAVY crowds, to be the solid citizens he needs driving around. We found his information to be extremely interesting, very reasoned out so they are successful in their horse program.
The horses with carriages get driven daily, putting in many miles to be that fit, though most are walking miles. Carriages are historic recreations, have roller bearing wheels to ease the pulling for horses. Richard said the steel wheels on vehicles are historically correct, with the benefit of having improved town's the roads they drive on, pressing the peastone into the tar or crushing rocks, so surfaces are solid and very hard. Makes an easy driving surface to roll along on. Have to say walking on loose peastone was not as nice as the solid road parts!
Newish stables were very airy, helps in keeping things cooler in summer. They had both box and tie stalls, but all horses have outside pasture time daily. Will be stealing his manger idea of expanded metal on the bottom! What a good way to keep the mangers dry, easy to clean!! Large aisles, an overhead cover for hitching and unhitching the vehicles, carriage storage, harness storage right at hand. Covered shoeing area. Everything well thought out and very functional. Everything done to a high standard in cleaning, presenting the horse and all equipment. Glad I don't have to keep all that harness cleaned and ready to go! Was all soft and very nice.
We asked Richard about the Postillion driven vehicle. He said she is probably the most experienced Postillion driver in the world by sheer number of hours spent in the saddle. Out daily, giving the customers rides. She had a rein arrangement to direct the other horse, wore a leg protector boot, even though her leg ended above the pole. Another historically correct piece of attire for the Postillion to prevent their leg being broken by the horse side and pole.
We also complimented Richard on his extremely FIT oxen seen plowing a field. He told us they were Red Devon crosses, which is where the white lineback and tails came from. The muscles just rippled on those cattle and the shine blinded you!
Colonial Williamsburg is also dedicated to supporting rare breeds, with the Leicester Longwool sheep, Red Devon cattle, American Cream Horse and others animals visible around the town and farms.
We had a wonderful day, wandering the town, eating lunch at the Inn, with the BEST crabcakes I have had! Viewing the horses and carriages is free, just walk around the town and you will see them making their rounds. Colonial Williamsburg has ridden horses too, which carry people depicting historical figures, the Town Crier making announcements, officers with soldiers. It was just fun all day with the many things to see and activities to watch. Did fire up my patriotism hearing the historic speeches!
Here are some photos, the first 8 are Colonial Williamsburg. 7 are horses, with the 8th being the driven oxen.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2711548750096750802Kxyhwc