06/01/2026
Everyone meet the two newest girls in our herd — Eliza Jane and Maisie Lou 🤍
Their “rescue story” looks a little different than what most people picture.
Eliza and Maisie came to us all the way from Nashville, Tennessee, where they spent their days pulling wagons and giving tours at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. These girls were not neglected, abused, or thrown away. In fact, it was the complete opposite.
They were deeply loved by their owner and her employees. They were well cared for, appreciated, and treated like the special horses they are. Unfortunately, the carriage company they worked for closed, and that left these two big girls needing a new home.
And the hard truth is, there are not a lot of options for big draft horses like Eliza and Maisie.
They are too big for the average trail rider.
Too slow for people wanting to run speed events.
Too heavy to jump.
Too expensive for many people to keep just as pets.
A draft horse eats more than an average riding horse. Their farrier work often costs double. They usually take two tubes of dewormer instead of one. Everything about owning them is bigger — the feed bill, the vet bill, the equipment, the trailer, the space, and the responsibility.
Sadly, many big, healthy draft horses who lose their jobs end up going through auctions, being worked hard in places that may not treat them fairly, or eventually landing in kill pens.
Thankfully, Eliza and Maisie’s story did not end that way.
Their owner actually met us right here in Frankenmuth while attending a conference supporting our veterans. We were able to stop, talk, and connect. She knew her girls would be loved, appreciated, and cared for here at H&H Acres.
Situations like this are exactly why the “Ban Carriage Rides” movement can be more harmful to horses than people realize.
Instead of pushing to ban all carriage rides, we should be supporting ethical carriage companies — the ones doing things the right way.
An ethical carriage company:
• Puts the horses’ health and safety first
• Gives horses proper rest, water, and breaks
• Does not work horses in unsafe temperatures, storms, or dangerous conditions
• Provides quality feed, veterinary care, dental care, and farrier care
• Uses properly fitted harness and safe equipment
• Trains horses kindly and fairly
• Retires horses responsibly when their working days are done
• Treats the horses like partners, not machines
• Is transparent with the public about horse care and welfare
Carriage work gives many draft horses a purpose, a routine, a job they understand, and a home where they are valued. These horses were bred to work. When done ethically, carriage work can give them a life where they are cared for, seen, loved, and protected.
If every carriage company was banned, there simply would not be enough homes for all of these beautiful draft horses.
So instead of pushing to ban carriage rides, please support the ethical ones.
Welcome home, Eliza Jane and Maisie Lou. We are so lucky to have you girls as part of the H&H Acres family. 🤍🐴
