Animal Welfare and FAQ

Carriage horses are bred to work in harness, and the exercise keeps them healthy. Horses recognize, respond to, and develop an affection for their drivers.

No, because they wear protective shoes that prevent any pain or injuries to their hooves. Palmetto Carriage^® uses almost 2000 shoes a year.

A horse can easily pull a wheeled vehicle that is six times his own weight. However, the City of Charleston only allows carriage horses to pull loads that are less than three times their own weight.

The average age of a Palmetto Carriage^® animal is 15.

25 to 30 years is the average life expectancy. However, many horses have been known to live well into their forties.

Yes, it’s actually a good thing for horses to sweat. It is a natural cooling process, just as it is with humans. PCW also supplements the animals’ feed with salt to promote drinking and electrolytes to the grain to replace necessary elements lost through sweating. Additionally, visitors will notice plenty of fans around the barn, including a fan that sprays a gentle mist over the animals to keep them cool.

Horses usually sleep while standing up to rest and often stand with one hind foot cocked. Sometimes horses will actually lie down during the day to rest their legs or nap.

A horse consumes two or three meals of hay/grain per day.

In Charleston, where temperatures can soar, Palmetto Carriage goes above and beyond to safeguard the well-being of their equine companions. When the mercury climbs to 95 degrees or the heat index hits 110, carriage tours are promptly halted, prioritizing the comfort and safety of the animals. Moreover, Palmetto Carriage^® conducts meticulous temperature checks on each horse both before and after every tour, all year round. This unwavering commitment ensures that their animals remain within a healthy temperature range. Any reading exceeding 102.9 degrees prompts immediate action, with the affected horse being promptly removed from service. This dedication to individualized care sets Palmetto Carriage apart, making Charleston one of the few cities in the world where animals receive such meticulous attention and monitoring. There has never been a heat related incident in over 30 years of business.

PCW’s mules and horses are real athletes and in top working condition. Showing a little rib is not an indication that they are underfed.

Palmetto Carriage^® animals are given a minimum of 15 minutes to rest and to drink water between each tour.

The number of years the animals work depends on the individual animal. Some animals we buy never pull a carriage, while others work for many years.

When an animal is retired, it is offered at a very low price or PCW will give it away. The reason is not because they aren’t worth anything, but because PCW has built a strong bond with the animal and values its years of work. Finding a good home is the only criteria used when placing retired stock.

Based on the number of carriage rides offered each year in downtown Charleston, the chance of an accident occurring during a ride is less than one in 12,000. This is based on statistics from The City of Charleston, who is “partnered” with and closely monitors the welfare of the animals, alongside PCW and other caring, concerned horse carriage companies and partners.