“Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh, over the hills we go, laughing all the way. Bells on bob-tails ring, making spirit bright….la la la la….”

We’ve ridden and now we are riding in high class…in a coach, sleigh a barouch, brougham, calash, chaise, chariot, dray, fiacre, fly gig, hansome, phaeton, victoria wagon, stagecoach…the list is very long indeed.  We’ve riddin in style  and we’ve ridden rough, but we’ve ridden on something at some time or ‘nother or dreamed about it during the holidays.

I’ll admit that my time driving horses is very limited. However,  I did work one of my horses to harness, which he loved. In fact he preferred harness to the saddle. My mother, who kinda avoided the horsey things, loved to drive him about the pasture. It was a wonderful experience. But, if you’ve ever seen the Budweiser Clydesdales, you can easily see that it is an art.

One of my favorite books  is God is an Englishman by  RF Delderfield. It is a story about a man Adam Swan becoming a rich teamster.  One scene that brings tears to my eyes everytime I read it  is when a coal mine collapses on a  wintery sleety night. The mine was filling quickly with water, miners were trapped and the rescuers needed that pump now.

“Lovel himself backed the first of the horse into the single shafts and a great broadchested Shire the only horse present that would have caught his eyes at an auction. Then, with a volley of shouts, a snapping of leather, and the pleasant jingle of metal, nine other horses were added to the string, so children prancing in the snow forgot their grief and terror of the moment and stared wide-eyed at the cavalcade, seeing a sledge made ready for a winter journey by a warrior king Llewellyn or Arthur himself.”  (Carroll & Graf Publisher, NY,p299)

The hitch ended up with twenty-four horses pulling this pump up this steep incline, struggling for footing with each attempt. This scene is one of the most powerful scenes about what a team of horses can do . It’s the beauty, the strength of men and horse working together. Be sure to also read Black Beauty by Anna Sewel, a first-person autobiography of a horse from birth to being retired to pasture.

Of course draft teams ( the big horses) aren’t all that we see harness. There are stagecoaches, wagons, and elegant coaches pulled by lighter breeds of  horses. Here is a bit of lingo regarding coaching you may want to use now and again.

 A carriage may be open or closed, but the cover is called a head or hood.  “Draw the cover, Howard. Its going rain.” The wood or leather fore part of the carriage  is the dashboard (and still is in a car and now we know why)  An extended side piece is the wing and the step up into the carriage is foot iron or footplate that tears the hem of her most wonderful gown. The driver sits on a box or perch at the front is known as a dickey box and is also for seating for the servants sitting at the back. “You’ll ride in the dickeybox, Clarence,” the coachman ordered from his box. And the footman may use a small platform called a footboard or rumble seat in the rear.  ”I’d rather sit in the rumble seat, thank you,” Clarence announced. The underneath is the undergear or undercarriage where the wheel axles will certainly break during a thunderstorm on a lonely muddy road late at night. The driver of  a carriage is a coachman. Servant in livery is a footman or piquer. Attendant on horseback is an outrider. 

Those heros and heroines rich enough to own a carriage weree referred to as ‘carriage folk or carriage trade’. (If they only knew) They may use a ‘lap robe” to cover their laps or a buffalo robe obviously from the American bison that was backed with fabric. A carriage boot was fur-trimmed winter wear. A carriage horse or roadhorse was an attractive stylish horse used on “Sunday go to meetin’ days” in the park. A dog was a carriage dog or coach dog bred to run along side the carriage or to ride up with the driver. I thank Wikipedia/carriage.

But how about driving these horses…sit back and enjoy this amazing video about what a great coachman can do with a four in hand…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3OtS8ELdW0

Now enjoy  dashing through the wintery wonderland with the Budweiser Clydesdales and Miller Highlife…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXvAVtwbemE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4np-4YDCcA

May your hearth be warm, the food delicious, the family safe and healthy, and may all your dreams come true this new year.

Merry Christmas,

Judy 

Exquisite opulence.  Ultimately posh.  Elegant manifestation, the kind of things that dreams are made of.  Lavishly luxurious.  Sounds too good to be true?  Something I’m making up?

It’s the kind of thing every little girl dreams of being part of when she grows up into a “lady.”    Donning a lavish gown, having the escort of a handsome gentleman, and being courted in style with the luxury of a gorgeously crafted coach drawn by strong and valiant equine.  It’s like … a fairytale.

That’s right, it’s the kind of things fairytales are made of and now, your fairytale came become a reality.  At least a virtual reality in Second Life thanks to Majestic Carriage House.

From the time you first lay eyes on the marvelously detailed and precisely crafted setting to the moment you spot the most beautiful carriage you’ve ever dreamed of riding in, you will be in awe.

The time, care, and attention to detail is equal to that of the finest of jewelers and the most masterful of artisans.  The artisan of these beauties?  Lexi Seville.  Brilliant, creative, talented, imaginative, and of impeccable taste.  Something like this cannot be equaled with such style and class for just anyone.  This is for the most discerning of consumers who wish to treat themselves, and their guests, to the top of the line in luxury.

From the regal steeds, the grandeur of their dressings, and the dressage of their training.

To the regal and plush interior of the fine carriage they pull along seemingly effortlessly.  These beauties are not just any horses, but AKK Horse Ranch horses that have been specially made for these coaches.

No matter your taste and desired style, The Majestic Carriage House is the place where those kind of dreams can come true in Second Life as they are offered in quite a variety to select from.  It’s the kind of style and luxury one strives for.  It’s the kind of romance the little girl in every woman longs for.  It’s the kind of feeling every man strives to be able to provide to that special woman he longs for.

Don’t let this season pass without the opportunity to have a fairytale come true for that special someone in your life.  Or even just for yourself.  TP to Majestic Carriage House and find that extra special carriage that will express your love, that will make your dreams come to life.

Majestic Carriage House

The most enchanted way to travel! This royal covered carriage seats two dolls and rolls around on golden wheels. With the press of a button, the glittery canopy transforms into a hot air balloon that girls can lift by the handle and pretend to fly. Up, up, and away! Perfect for dolls romantic outing! Regal design with princess-worthy details Great for ages 3+

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpqWUL_H1_w&hl=en

Related : Best Christmas Gift NIKE AIR FLIGHT Cheap Logitech Speakers

!!!

Here is a small collection of people and their stories about their Friesians, accompanied by photos.

Chiara Bos & Thiske

Chiara Bos decided to move with her husband and three children to the United States.

“I didn’t know that much of the US and I had lived in Norway and England on my own, so I thought it was a nice challenge,” said Chiara.

But she’d only go if she could bring her Old English Sheepdog, Yoy, and her Friesian mare, Thiske.

“Shipping a horse is rather easy these days,” she said. “We called a transport company and filled out some papers. We made an appointment with the vet to come and do a health check, to vaccinate her and to put two lead things in her mane and tail with a number on it, to identify her.”

After Thiske’s long flight from Amsterdam to New Jersey, she was placed in quarantine barn for three weeks. Chiara was able to visit and ride her during her stay, so long as she had her shoes disinfected.

“At home in the Netherlands she got two pounds of pellets, but in New Jersey they fed her nine pounds a day!” said Chiara. “Oftentimes horses loose a lot of weight during such a trip and they wanted to prevent that from happening. But with 9 lbs of pellets in her body per day, she was very hot and hardly rideable.”

Finally Thiske was released from quarantine and placed in a boarding barn close to Chiara’s new home in Pennsylvania. It wasn’t up to par with the photos Chiara had seen of it, but she hoped Thiske would adjust.

However, Thiske went through her own culture shock. Not only did she have to get used to the new water and feed, but the humidity and heat. She wasn’t used to the gnats, or even the deer and other strange animals she came in contact with.

“That was so different from what she was used to in the Netherlands that she couldn’t cope with all the changes anymore and became depressed.”

Finally, Thiske was moved to a different barn, where Chiara started to work. The better barn conditions and more time with Chiara put Thiske on the road to recovery. Within six months, Thiske was back to her normal self. When the family moved again, this time to California, Thiske had a much easier time adjusting and is happily living on the west coast.

Jonathan, Ginger-Kathleen Coombs & Ellijana (“Ellie”)

Jonathan and Ginger-Kathleen Coombs were out horse shopping when they met 4-week-old Ellie, a Friesian filly.

“All I can say is they were meant to be,” said Ginger-Kathleen. “We brought her home at five or six months old, and while I am her trainer, groom and feed lady, she has absolutely no use for me. Daddy is her all.”

Ellie is Jonathan’s first horse and she couldn’t be more happy when he’s around. While Ginger-Kathleen takes care of her, Ellie is rude and couldn’t care less about her. Ginger-Kathleen doesn’t mind though, since she considers seeing the two of them together a reward. Even now at five years old, Ellie still waits for Jonathan to get home.

Ginger-Kathleen knows that Ellie and Jonathan will have a lot of memories to immortalize in her husband’s heart when she is gone.

“Horse ownership is not always fun and ribbons, but at the end of a long life together, you look back, and with a bond like this, it is worth it all,” she said.

Joe Meyers & Thor

Joe Meyers of Jokar’s Hilltop Farm Friesians has had Thor for nearly all 20 years of his life.

What makes Thor unique in this article is that he’s a German registered stallion. He is also the first American bred and American born Approved Stallion in the U.S. in the German registry, Friesenpferde Zuchtverband e.V (FPZV). While there is much controversy between the Dutch and German registries, there is no doubt that Thor is a magnificent Friesian.

“He’s opened many doors for our community and our members, he’s “been there, done that” more than any other Friesian I know, and done it all very humbly, never announcing or blowing his own horn, always directing the spotlight to the breed, not himself,” said Joe Meyers.

Though he is now retired, Thor was a part of “Totally Friesian”, an exhibition troupe that toured all over the United States in various expositions and shows. One particular exhibition was called “Men in Lights”. He was in the first group to ever attempt it during the Equine Affair in Ohio around seven years ago.

“We were going to discount stores and asking for as many black triple-X pantyhose as they had,” said Meyers.

After modifying the pantyhose and slipping them on the Friesians legs, they attached strings of lights to them. The largest group they did was with eight horses, taking nearly four hours to completely rig them.

“They stand in one place while we rig them,” said Meyers. “If the horse is too rambunctious, things come apart.”

The first time they attempted “Men in Lights”, there were only four stallions who had never performed together, and riders who had never rehearsed the routine. They did the entire exhibition cold in front of Olympic judges.

The arena starts off completely dark and the riders had to move their horses into the middle of the ring without any light. From there, the music would begin and the horses’ lights would be lit up one by one. The riders would move the Friesians in different patterns. For a first hand account, see Pat Shipman’s “Friesians Pull on Pantyhose for Devon” from Dressage Today.

Not only has Thor been a performer, showing in dressage, driving, and jumping. Thor is also used in Friesian Fun Days. Started around ten years ago, the program gives children from all over the country a chance to spend a few days on the farm to work with and learn about Friesian horses.

“Thor has turned out to be everything I ever wanted in a Friesian, both as a sire and as a friend,” wrote Joe Meyers on Thor’s webpage. “And I can tell you unequivocally that the biggest thing about him is his heart, he will give you anything in the world.”

Marc A. DiLeo & Gerke

Marc DiLeo, who writes the Friesianfire blog, came across Gerke while in the Netherlands for an annual Friesian stallion show. He and his wife, Erin, were taking a tour where they took part in carriage driving.

“Neither Erin nor my self had ever driven a carriage before this,” said DiLeo. “Gerke was the horse that was there, and all it took for me to fall in love with him was to take hold of the reins.”

Within a month of that tour, DiLeo had purchased Gerke and had him back home in the United States. DiLeo started to take driving lessons and eventually started showing Gerke.

“Main thing is I enjoyed it, and that’s what a show should be, enjoyment,” he said.

They took part in smaller versions of Combined Driving Events (CDE’s), which are three day events: first day, dressage; second day, marathon course with obstacles; and third day, a cones course. Gerke enjoys participating these events.

“Gerke and I, or the G-Man as I like to call him, spend a lot of quality time together,” said DiLeo. “He loves attention, loves to get out and just go for a ride and he loves to just be with people. A true testament to the Frieisan breed, he loves to show off.”

Susan Werner

Susan Werner had always dreamed of having her own horses, but it didn’t come true until her 50th birthday. Her and her husband built a farm on their property and bought Friesians.

“I have my Friesians just for my own personal enjoyment,” said Werner. “I call them my backyard beauties. They did go to their keurings, but it is not likely that I will show them in the future. I just love watching them and their antics in the backyard.”

Werner also draws inspiration from her Friesians for her artwork.At Dragonfly Design, Werner creates custom handmade sterling silver and gold jewelry, Friesians often being her subject matter.

Terrie Douglas & Bella

Terrie Douglas is an Animal Communicator — using her psychic talents to connect and communicate with animals to help out Equine Rescue Facilities. She considers her Friesian mare, Bella, to be the best teacher she’s ever worked with. She got Bella when she was five years old, a barely beginning to be under saddle. Terrie did little to change her temperament, just letting her be herself.

“She is a mare, so that alone makes her slightly opinionated…and she is very expressive on top of that,” said Terrie. “She has no qualms at all letting you know exactly what she thinks.”

Terrie uses Bella in lessons for beginning riders because of her uncanny ability to be in tune with her rider. Terrie considers it to be a very profound lesson for a rider to learn on a horse sensitive enough to go off the rider’s thoughts. Together, they study Classical dressage, as well as teach the basics of it to new riders.

“She is a good little ambassador for the breed, she is pretty, affectionate, tolerant and loves attention,” said Terrie.

Allison & Grace

“She gives her own meaning to bad things happen in sets of three,” said Allison Gelfand of Sable Ranch about their Friesian mare, Grace.

In 2007, Grace had a cancerous tumor removed from her pallet, but at the cost of her upper front teeth.

“She has been healthy and happy living cancer free with no top teeth,” said Allison.

But tragedy stuck again and in 2008 she lost her young foal. In 2009, she was with foal once more when she began to colic.

“The vets are not sure what could have caused her gut to twist two times both 180 degree twists,” said Allison. “But they did know that she needed surgery in order to live.”

Luckily, both Grace and her foal survived and she gave birth to Danny on May 12, a healthy colt.

Other People who Submitted Photos

Maryanke Alexander

Rahna Park

Samantha Roberts

Julio, pronounced ‘Hoolio’

Is slouched at the only table seat
In this fluorescent catacomb.

Now and again he takes a
Phone Call. With great statement
He reels off his matinee,
Directing darlings, just some
Actors learning scripts.
Loudly he strokes a kempt
Designer beard as his jawline
Rests quietly on an ego
Three metres diameter.

His pseudo self, strutted
And popped off dagger shot
Eye-glares at people, witnessing
The freak show in his tiny
Bit-piece First Great Western
Theatre.  Phone a microphone,
Life is one great play.

I’m excited to release two new clipart sets this week!

Ladies Night

It’s time for the gals to get together! It’s ladies night! 10 sexy graphics included for lots of fun projects.

Two bonus 8×8 digital papers!

Great for bachelorette parties, girls night in, girls adult parties and more

Ethnic Babies
Adorable, gender neutral ethnic babies.  Culturally diverse for a wide range of infant projects! Six babies and 3 cute little accent graphics as well.

The world has turned from red to pumpkin

pumpkin colored sky upon the birch

pumpkin colored road, all crunchy

pumpkin colored carriage whisking children back to school

pumpkin colored world

made so by the magic wand

of the sun

who offers this last bold act

of color

before we open

into the long

winter night

of white.

Kelly Salasin, October 09

Geez, I would have paid big bucks for that!

I wonder how much 8 blocks of 20kg cheese is going for on the black market? A couple in Manawatu have been arrested for a cheese heist. The hapless pair were seen acting sus around a train track before they were later seen throwing blocks of cheese from their car window. They were arrested shortly after. Oh but wouldn’t you know it, passers-by helped themselves to the discarded cheese.

Psst I am guessing they were rather pissed their haul was friggin cheese! Polly want a cracker?

Homemade Baby Boy Card Thank You Set

I recycled big time for this homemade baby boy card thank you set. This truly was a joint effort. My sister had the vision for the belt buckle and layout. I contributed the denim, paper selection and the stamp selection. We had purchased a bag of belt buckles at a garage sale…and they have sat in the stamping cabinet for months. I was just about to toss out an old pair of jeans (which happened to rip in a very inappropriate spot!). But our creativity melded together just in time for a baby shower gift for my next door neighbor who is having a baby boy in ten weeks.

Homemade Baby Boy Card Thank You Set – The Card

Front of the Baby Boy Card for the Thank You Set

Baby Boy Card Inside

A quick note about this baby boy card and thank you set. The base paper is brown – purchased in a reem at Xpedx. The denim is an old pair of jeans cut with pinking sheers then frayed. The striped paper is DCWV from some paper pack. The ribbon I bought in a spool at Xpedx. To make the belt, we actually taped two strips of brown ribbon to a piece of paper to give the belt shape and to make it double wide because we didn’t have any wide ribbon that looked nice with the buckle! We added gromets to the ribbon to make it look like a belt. And used scrappers floss to tie on the little thank you tag.

Can you mail these cards? Maybe if you used a bubble envelope. Otherwise, I’d recommend hand delivery.

Homemade Baby Boy Card – A Thank You Set

We made 10 of these cards for a thank you set. Then I needed a box to put them in. I was going to make a slide out box, but it would have taken four pieces of paper and I didn’t feel like making a huge piece of paper and folding it into a box. So, I opted for a card / book type contraption. I made this once before for another baby gift and really liked it. So, here you go!

Here is the inside of the gift box.

Cards tucked into the baby boy thank you set with one pulled out.

I decorated the back of the pockets

As you can see, the inside looks great whether the box is full of thank you cards or empty. I used acetate (write on transparency sheet) to create pockets to hold the thank you cards. I tape that to the brown card. Then I decorate the back of the panels to hide the tape from the transparency as well as to make the box look nice when it’s empty.

Now for the outside:

The box when fully open

View of the front and closure of the baby boy thank you card set

back and closure of the baby boy card set

spine of the baby boy thank you card set

Phew, that’s a lot of photos. You may or may not believe this, but I only used two pieces of decorative paper to create all 10 cards and the box. I used a lot of solid blue and brown to create the structure of the cards and box and to frame the white pieces. 

Not sure if you noticed how the brown ribbon ties are attached. I just folded over the brown ribbon, then used a little brad to attach them. I attached the brad prior to adhering the inside decorative panel…so the brad tines are hidden by the inside blue panel. I printed out the welcome baby on the spine in Word Art then colored with copics.

The stamp has a sticker on it that says, “1998 Embossing Arts Co.” I picked it up at a garage sale. I also colored that baby and carriage with my copics. Not sure it shows up, but I gave the baby some soft pink cheeks! The stamp has words below it that say “look who’s here…” but I decided to not use that part.

The thank you words are from a My Sentiments Exactly stamp set. I think that’s about everything.

The card are traditional card size, but I threw in some oversized envelopes due to the bulkiness of the belt buckles. I also threw in a book of stamps. Even if she doesn’t mail them…stamps are always needed! =)

I’m sure you’re wondering how long it took to make….too long! I’m pretty sure there’ s over 8 hours in this project. Hmmm…would have been cheaper just to buy a gift! But not nearly as fun! =)

3400568    กฎหมายการขนส่งระหว่างประเทศ    Law On International Carriage

กฎเกณฑ์การขนส่งระหว่างประเทศทางบก ทางเรือ (พาณิชยนาวี) และทางอากาศ พิจารณาเฮกรูลส์ เฮกวิสบี้กรูลส์ แฮมเบอร์กรูลส์ อนุสัญญากรุงวอร์ซอร์ สิทธิหน้าที่ความรับผิดของเจ้าของและผู้ว่าจ้างพาหนะในการขนส่งดังกล่าว

(Rules concerning land, air and marine transportation, particularly, Hague rules, Hague Visby rules, Hamburg rules, Warsaw convention, rights and liabilities of the interested parties in the international carriage according to international conventions, agreements and Thai domestic laws.)

(3400568 จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)

Dana Story is the owner of Storybook Carriages, based in San Luis Obispo County, Ca. Also shown is her Friesian gelding – Hugo. Click the picture for the interview!

762321     กฎหมายการขนระหว่างประเทศ     Law on International Carriage

กฎเกณฑ์การรับขนทางบก ทางเรือ และทางอากาศ กฎของเฮก กฎของเฮกวิสบี้กฎของแฮมเบอร์ก และอนุสัญญาวอร์ซอว์ สิทธิและความรับผิดชอบตามกฎหมายของคู่กรณีผู้มีส่วนได้เสีย ซึ่งเป็นไปตามกฎหมายการรับขนระหว่างประเทศ อนุสัญญาและสัญญาระหว่างประเทศและกฎหมายไทย

(Rules concerning transportation of land, sea and air. Rules of Hague. Rules of Hague Visby. Rules of Hamburg and Convention of Warsaw. Rights and liability of the interested parties based on laws of international carriage. Conventions and agreements of international and Thai domestic laws.)

(762321 มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์)

Our PRICE : SGD 199 (self-pick up only, includes sales tax and shipping & handling fee)

*Please top up SGD 8.00 if you opt for registered mail. Home Delivery is available at SGD15.00 islandwide.

MALAYSIA PRICE: RM 655 (includes sales tax and DIRECT shipping & handling fee)

READY STOCK IN SG! PAY AND COLLECT!

Desire #: CO43435KHCN / CO43435BKWT     Colour: Khaki_Chestnut / Black & White

Details:

# 7 x 0.5 x 8.5
# 48 inch adjustable shoulder/ cross body strap
# fabric with coach carriage logo
# leather trim
# open slip pocket in front
# polished silver hardware.
# Zippered top closure with leather pull;
# leather hangtag;
# Coach carriage logo

Brand new with tag. Includes Care Card, Coach tissue and Coach sticker. Coach paper bag available for self collection/ home delivery. Gift Receipt & Gift box is available upon request. Dustbag will be provided if COACH / COACH outlet provides them. Large gift box may require top up for shipping.

2009 might as well be known as, “The Year of the Rain.” It has rained the last three weekends straight, and Fourth Friday in Pitman was not spared.

I own a Nikon D40x. However, it was raining and I didn’t want to mess up my lens, so I took my Kodak from 2004. Unfortunately, it was dark, and after trying it both without flash (blurry) and with flash (dark), I turned to my cell phone for help. With that said, I apologize for the horrendous photographs that are about to follow. I’ll make it up to you, little readers, someday soon when it’s not raining and gross outside.

The event took place in the main stretch of Pitman, Broadway Avenue. If you’re coming from Glassboro, simply take Main Street straight down and you’ll run into it.

Despite the rain, the festivities were in full force when my boyfriend and I arrived around 6:20 p.m. This picture shows the carriage ride, which may or may not be ushered by a horse named “Buck.” A man on the loud speaker couldn’t decide whether or not the horse was actually named “Buck,” or if that was the name of a white horse. Either way, it was rather interesting to see a horse walking down a road filled with parallel-parked cars on either side.

The Broadway Theater is probably Pitman’s most well-known landmark.

Many old cars were showcased both in the grass and on the side of the road. Live musicians were also nearby, but it was impossible to take a picture with my cell phone, as it doesn’t have flash capabilities. Thank you, Verizon.

This is a view of Pitman. I really liked how the lights were illuminated in this shot.

Walking down the row of little shops, this came into focus. The modernity of the store just didn’t seem to fit well with the rest of the street.

And then we walked by this! Another new store! The new and the old of Pitman.. all in one street! I never would have guessed.

I wasn’t able to stay at this festival very long, but I found it interesting that such a small town could band together on its main street just to have a little fun once a month. Even during the rain! I walked by food stands, face painting, live musicians, the carriage ride, and so many cute little stores before running back to my car.

Within the shelter of my car, I listened to the tap-tap of the rain on my windshield and watched the Pitman residents stroll down the street, umbrellaless, just happy to celebrate their town.

Hugo, a Friesian gelding, giving the bride and groom a lift.

A few days ago, I actually got a google alert about “friesian horse” article that caught my eye. Like most alerts, it was just a brief mention of a Friesian, ridden by the true subject of the article. In this case, however, it was about a bride arriving to her wedding on a Friesian mare named Varinette.

“So taken was Jessica by her first glimpse of a Friesian horse that the youngster announced to parents John and Ethel Viveiros that she would have one someday — and would ride one of these magnificent black animals to her own wedding,” said the article.

Arriving at your wedding on a Friesian is, in my opinion, grand, memorable, and beautiful. And, hey! If you’re going with the traditional white gown and black tux, the Friesian matches perfectly! Especially if you use the tradition white rein and bridle they use for showing. My mother actually got married on a Friesian, right at the altar. If I get married, I definitely plan on incorporating Friesians into the ceremonies.

Another nice way to have a Friesian in your wedding, as well as being a bit “eco-friendly”, is to replace the customary black limo with a horse drawn carriage. There is actually a local Friesian-drawn carriage service called Storybook Carriages, owned and operated by Dana Story. A driver dressed in a formal driving outfit with a top hat in a beautiful white fairy tale carriage drawn by a elegant Friesian seems much more impressive than a limo, doesn’t it?

Hugo is very well trained, staying very still as the bride gets out.

There are some downsides. Friesians are big animals and can be spooked. Even a well trained horse can have its moments. Limos aren’t going to zoom off because someone’s chihuahua runs in front of it. While Friesians lend themselves to being photogenic…you need someone constantly clucking their tongue and waving their hands by the photographer to make them bother looking. Even then, you need to double your efforts in order to get them to make their ears come forward. An pissed off looking Friesian in your wedding photos isn’t very nice. Transportation is also an issue, since the carriage and horse need to be at the wedding a couple hours beforehand to get prepared. This means a trailer for the horse and carriage.

Let’s not forget road apples either. Thankfully, there is this wonderful invention that can discreetly capture and hide this offending problem. The “Bun-Bag”™! While it’s a bit unnerving, I’d much rather have it in a sealed bag than on the aisle.

“UNTITLED” Pen on coloured paper – Courtesy of the FANTOM FACTION