Where Charleston’s Carriage Tours Begin and Bonds Are Built
If you’ve ever taken a Palmetto Carriage Works tour, you’ve experienced Charleston with the guidance of our expert storytellers and the gentle pace of our horses. But before the clip-clop begins, there’s an entire world of care, preparation, and teamwork happening inside the Big Red Barn.
A Day in the Barn
The barn is where our horses start and end their day. Mornings begin early with feedings, grooming, and gear checks. Each horse’s health and comfort is carefully monitored — from ensuring their shoes are secure to checking temperatures after every tour. Our team works together like clockwork, making sure every detail is in place before the first carriage rolls out.
The barn isn’t just a workplace; it’s the heart of our operation. This is where relationships between horses and handlers deepen, where routines turn into rituals, and where every member of the team plays a part in keeping our horses happy and healthy.
Employee Spotlight: RayeAnne Brazell, Barn Lead
To give you a closer look at life inside the barn, we spoke with Barn Lead RayeAnne Brazell, who has been with Palmetto Carriage Works for four years.
What does your everyday job entail?
“As a caregiver for the carriage horses, I handle their daily grooming, feeding, harnessing, and hitching to carriages. I work closely with the horses to ensure their everyday health — this includes monitoring their temperatures after every tour, making sure they have all their shoes, and overall body well-being.”
Fun fact about the role:
“Caring for these horses is like looking after 2,000-pound toddlers. Big personalities and even bigger opinions about bath time. They bicker with each other constantly like siblings.”
One thing guests might not realize:
“Most carriage horses know their routes better than the drivers do. Once they’re trained, they can navigate the streets almost on autopilot — sometimes it’s like they’re watching the stop lights.”
What she wishes guests knew:
“They’re not just working animals, they’re our partners. They each have their own personality, quirks, and moods. We bond with them and build a relationship of trust, love, and respect.”
On the bond between team and horses:
“The bond runs deep. In the barn, it’s built during early mornings — brushing them out, gearing them up, sharing quiet moments and treats. On the streets, it’s strengthened by the drivers, working side by side as partners to navigate the city.”
Visit the Big Red Barn Yourself
Want to see where it all begins? Stop by the Big Red Barn before your tour. Meet our horses, see the stables, and learn more about the care and teamwork that keep Charleston’s most trusted carriage tours running day after day.
