Recently one of our favorite horses, Loretta, retired to Blue Star Equiculture in Palmer, MA.
Loretta joined our team roughly 12 or 13 years ago, and ever since then, she has been the backbone of our fleet here at Palmetto Carriage Works. She hauled 10’s of thousands of tourists in Charleston throughout her career. She was an extremely successful carriage horse. Injury free, healthy, great temperament, loved people and attention, and I believe genuinely loved her job. She had the love and admiration of all her fellow employees — both the 2 and 4-legged. The last couple of years she even carried visitors at The Billy Graham Library Festival of Lights over Christmas.
The decision to send Lorreta to Blue star was an expensive one, but a good one. She was diagnosed with anhydrosis, a condition that prevents her from sweating. We were able to control it somewhat with drugs, but eventually the heat became too much for her, and it became apparent she needed to get out of this climate.
We have been friends with the director of Blue Star Equiculture for years and really like their program and the love and attention they give the animals at the facility. It’s a sanctuary that has other carriage animals from Philly and New York and we knew it would be a great place for Loretta to be able to retire in peace.
Here are some pictures from Loretta’s trip from The Big Red Barn in Charleston to her new home in Massachusetts.
Happy Retirement Loretta! We will miss you!