How to Travel by Horse & Buggy
Traveling by horse and buggy may seem like an outdated method of transportation, but for some travelers it's a quaint and appealing option. Horse and buggy travel allows drivers and passengers to get in touch with nature and take time to view the passing scenery. Since it's a slower, more rustic way of traveling it can enhance the experience of driving through a historic area. Making a journey by horse and buggy is possible with some preparation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Horse that is trained to drive
- Buggy or carriage
- Harness
- Horse and buggy gear
- Horse feed and water
Instructions
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Call your local municipality's administration office and find out the regulations for driving a horse and buggy in your area. If you're traveling through several counties or districts you may need to contact several municipalities. Some towns will have rules for the time or location you can drive a horse and buggy. Other regulations may include purchasing a permit or having a manure catcher to keep the streets clean.
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Plan your trip with your horse's comfort in mind. You'll need to know how far you're going and where you'll keep your horse and gear when you reach your destination. For short trips you'll need a place to water and secure your horse. For longer trips you'll need to plan where to keep your horse overnight, how you will secure your gear and how you'll feed and water your horse. If you're traveling in a horse-friendly location you may be able to arrange for a stall at a stable or horse hotel. Try contacting arenas or exhibitions centers if you have trouble finding overnight accommodations for your horse and gear.
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Test out your gear before you begin your journey. This is particularly important before you go on a long trip. Try doing shorter trips near your home first to ensure that your buggy, harnesses and any other gear don't need repair or replacing. When you are confident that you are prepared, hook up your gear and take your trip.
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Tips & Warnings
You may need to carry food and water with you if it isn't available at your destination.
According to the Historical Novelists Center website, horses can travel about 25 miles a day in good weather on flat terrain. A horse working four to five hours per day requires, per 100 pounds of weight, about 1 pound of grain and 1 to 1.25 pounds of hay each day.
In some countries you can book tours where the main mode of transportation is horse and buggy.
Horses can be unpredictable and should be well-trained before attempting horse and buggy travel This is especially true in unfamiliar areas where animals, traffic and children may scare them.
Make sure your horse's vaccinations are up-to-date according to the regulations of the states you're traveling in.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit horse & carriage image by Peter Helin from Fotolia.com
