Duke putting on the Ritz

Relax...we really have thought of everything.

I'm surprised at how often we are asked "what happens if the horse uses the rest room?" Well...first of all if the horse actually used a rest room there wouldn't be a question like that to ask in the first place. Right? lol. I do know what they mean though, and exactly what customers are trying to ask in a polite way.

So..I decided to offer up the trade secret here in this photo which shows the solution to the, ahem...problem.  All our horses wear diaper bags, bun bags, manure catchers, or even souvenir bags as some call them. Ewe! At any rate its a piece of harness that either attaches to the horses harness or another style that attaches to the carriage's shafts. Either way it catches any "accidents" that might happen.

It lays flat and is hardly noticeable at all. Like the hoof boots if you don't even know any of it is there if you are not looking. So...did you notice the hoof boots in this photo or did your eye just say that was the horses black hooves? Some people will see them, but most wont pay any attention at all. The bun bag is even less visible from a side view, so I took this photo from the back so you could see it.

Long story short when we come to your event you never have to worry about the fact that a live animal is involved. You wont see any "evidence" while we are there or after we are gone. Just relax and enjoy your special day. We really have thought of everything!

A cutie and a beauty!

I was lucky enough to snap this gorgeous photo last Saturday at three little girls princess birthday party their mothers had arranged to celebrate at their church. This is not a testament to my photography skills, but rather proof that if the subject matter is good enough anybody's pictures look great! I looked at this one and thought "what a cutie and a beauty!" and that is exactly what it is.

This birthday celebration was for three little girls who were each turning five years old. Each of their families had each pitched in to make it one they will remember for a lifetime. Everyone came, Cinderella, Snow White, Mermaid, Genie, Belle, and all the rest of the Disney celebrities. One little girl was caught whispering to herself  "this is really, real" when she saw Cinderellas horse and carriage appear with a gorgeous Cinderella inside along with a present for each birthday girl from Duke her horse. There was also a bouncy house, and of course cake, cookies, and punch.

Great kids, great folks, a great party, and a GREAT TIME!

A way of life

Horses have been a big part of my life for over 40 years. My 17 yr old daughter Shelby here in the picture has been riding since before her legs were long enough for her feet to reach the stirrups. Having horses and enjoying them is very much a way of life for us. A way of life we sometimes get to share.

Also in this picture is a young man that is a friend of my college age son who came home with Travis to spend the weekend with us. Arnold is an exchange student at ASU from Tanzania, Africa. Arnold is astride one of our six carriage horses all of which are not only trained to pull a carriage but also as solid riding horses. This was Arnold's first time on a horse. Our horses are well trained so Arnold was able to relax and just enjoy himself. Even though riding was a new experience for him Arnold had a natural talent for it.

It was awesome for us to be able to share a glimpse of our way of life with a wonderful young man from half way around the globe. Listening to Arnold speak of how "normal" it is for him to see lions, zebra, and elephants where he is from really brings home how different "a way of life" can be from one person to the next. Maybe someday I will get to go visit Arnold, if not then at least he got the opportunity to ride my horses.