Carriage Tour

The carriage tour was one of the highlights of the trip. Charleston tour guides are required to pass written and oral tests in order to be licensed, so they are very knowledgeable.


This magnificent red Belgian was at the stables tossing back a couple of cold gallons of water before going out on his next trip. After each trip, each horse's temperature is taken upon his return to the stable. If he's too warm, he stays in until he cools down to an acceptable temperature.


This is our carriage pulled by Hero, a beautiful Percheron. These horses, weighing in at around a ton, can pull loads up to five times their own weight. A full carriage is usually only one-third as heavy as what they are capable of pulling. Many of the horses now pulling carriages around Charleston were rescued from slaughterhouses. Our guide, who was very entertaining, clearly enjoyed her job and loved old Hero to pieces, bless his heart.