Our Carriage Fleet & Horses | Pensacola, FL"
At Carriages of Pensacola, our horses and carriages are the heart and soul of what we do. Each equine partner is selected for temperament, soundness, and suitability for public carriage work. Our carriages range from classic enclosed coaches for weddings to dignified hearses for funerals and open-air carriages for parades and scenic rides. We maintain our fleet rigorously and house our horses in a safe, supportive environment to ensure they are healthy, calm, and ready to perform at their best.
The Cinderella Pumpkin Carriage
The consummate addition to a fairy tale or Disney-themed wedding. This Cinderella carriage seats up to six average adults. It is also perfect for a little girl's birthday party!
Our Horses — Care, Health, and Routine
Animal welfare is non-negotiable. Our horses receive daily care routines that focus on their physical and mental well-being:
- Veterinary care: Regular checkups, vaccinations, and dental exams.
Farrier service: Routine hoof care on a consistent schedule to ensure proper balance and soundness.
Nutrition: Balanced diets tailored to workload, with attention to hydration and digestive health.
Rest and turnout: Adequate rest and access to turnout when possible are essential for mental refreshment and muscle recovery.
Monitoring: Handlers observe behavior and gait daily for early signs of discomfort or stress.
Before every event, our handlers perform a thorough check of the horse’s condition — gait, breathing, and overall demeanor — to confirm fitness for service. We do not put horses to work if there are signs of fatigue, lameness, or illness.
The '69 Malibu Convertible
Having a hard time convincing your partner that a horse and carriage are the perfect statement? For the muscle or classic car enthusiast, this will catch their eye. Perfect for beach weddings, it also has the benefit of greater transportation distances.
Enclosed Wedding Coaches
These coaches offer privacy, protection from the elements, and a classic look. They are ideal for:
- Bride and groom arrivals or exits.
- Romantic photo sessions.
- Formal transport between ceremony and reception venues.
Enclosed coaches provide comfortable seating and an elegant visual statement in photographs and processions.
Open-Air Carriages
Open carriages are perfect for scenic rides, parades, and community events where visibility maximizes the guest experience. Advantages include:
- Excellent photo opportunities.
- Greater guest interaction with viewers.
- An authentic, period-appropriate silhouette for themed events.
Funeral Hearses and Rider Carriages
Our funeral hearse is designed for dignified casket transport, paired with rider carriages for pallbearers or family members. These vehicles honor tradition and provide a solemn pace that allows reflection during processions.
Specialty and Period Carriages
On request, we can provide period-style carriages for historical reenactments, themed weddings, and promotional events. These carriages are maintained for aesthetics and structural integrity.
Carriage Maintenance and Safety
Routine maintenance is essential for safe operations. Our maintenance schedule includes:
- Daily visual inspections for integrity, including wheels, seating, and coupling hardware.
Periodic professional inspections of nuts, bolts, and structural components.
Cleaning and protective treatments to preserve finishes and prevent corrosion.
Safety checks prior to every ride, including brake systems when applicable and harness inspection.
We measure success by the quality of the spaces we help create and the relationships we build with our clients.
Drivers and Handlers — Expertise You Can Trust
Our drivers and handlers are trained in both equine management and public safety. Training includes:
- Knowledge of horse behavior and first aid.
Proper hitching and unhitching procedures.
Communication with guests during boarding and disembarkation.
Emergency protocols for crowd control or unexpected events.
Coordination with venue staff and event planners for smooth operations.
Boarding and Facility Standards
Our stables provide a secure environment with appropriate ventilation, bedding, and turnout areas when weather permits. Cleanliness and odor control are maintained to a high standard, and manure management is conducted responsibly. We aim to ensure animals are housed in conditions that support good physical and mental health.
Customization and On-Site Support
We offer modest customization options for carriages, including ribbon and floral placement (installed according to safety standards), color coordination for special events, and suggestions for carriage staging to optimize photo opportunities. On-site, our handlers provide passenger assistance, step support, and brief safety orientations for first-time carriage riders.
Sustainability and Responsible Practices
Our approach to stewardship includes responsible waste management, careful selection of feed sources when possible, and measures to reduce the environmental footprint of carriage operations. We emphasize humane scheduling to avoid overuse of individual horses and plan routes and logistics to minimize unnecessary travel.
Answers & Clarification
Frequently Asked Questions
We rotate assignments and schedule appropriate rest periods. Horses do not perform back-to-back long shifts, and handlers monitor each horse’s workload closely.
Carriage boarding is traditionally designed for steps and seating height that may not accommodate wheelchairs without specialized equipment. We evaluate accessibility needs on a case-by-case basis and advise alternatives, such as similar-level vehicle transportation coordinated with the venue.
For safety and comfort, we do not generally allow pets to ride in passenger seating. Service animals required for medical reasons are handled according to federal guidelines and coordinated in advance.
Guests are welcome to take photos from a safe distance. For safety, handlers will manage crowd proximity to the horses and carriage. We encourage photographers to coordinate with our driver for staged shots.
Contact and Next Steps
To arrange a tour of our facility, view our horses, or see our carriages in person, call (850) 304-1069 to request a site visit. Our location: 3852 Lane Rd, Pace, FL 32571. We welcome inquiries from venue managers, event planners, and families planning weddings or memorial services.
Call (850) 304-1069 today to discuss your project.