Mackinac Island Horses

This video clip shows our equine fleet getting ready to leave the island for their winter pasture. Most all of our 600 horses move to the UP and are free to run all winter with heated stables and meal service. During the summer months, our horses work 4 to 6 hours every other day and in the winter, they don't work at all. Its a nice life for our horses-many of which were trained by the Amish and Menonites. The would be used as plow horses till about 4 or 5 then retire to Mackinac Island.
Horses are often seen sleeping on duty downtown. If a horse has its head down while standing, that means they are sleeping or nodding off for a bit. Many horses do lay down to sleep but many also sleep standing up. Its best never to approach a horse that is nodding off as you might startle the horse. The Island drivers also ask that tourists do not pet the horses without permission, some horses don't mind but other horses can be crabby just like people.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• mackinac
• island
• horses

[Shahamu]

On a warm day, they make the streets smell pretty ripe. I guess it's better for you than car exhaust though.

[mjmemm]

Way better than cars, though once you live here you really don't notice the aroma.

[chachachels]

i love mackinac with a passion. i'm going there this summer for the second time! :)

[mjmemm]

Thanks!

[Rachel225566]

wow for real no cars just horses? where is this island? im going to move there!

[mjmemm]

Yes, the Island banned cars in the late 1800's and again in the 1920's. We get around by horse, horsedrawn carriage, bike or our own two feet.

Its a great place, come check it out.

[generalslady1]

window seats for everyone!?? my oh my..what spoiled horseys

[Angelberry08]

I went there and the horses are huge!

[Dortae]

so thats how they do it!!! i love it there . I always wondered what they did in the winter in mackinaw with the horses.

~~~Dortae~~~

[meamarie21]

haha i live here yo!!

[grobaniteLarisa]

Do the horses get motion sickness?

[KurtisaRobot]

I used to "live" here. But now we go only once a year, the place is so lovely and fun. We're going this summer :D Can not wait for the homemade fudge, and the bike rides, and all of the gift shops, oh man, I loe this place a lot.

[apocalyptichorseman7]

I love Mackinac Island. It is the perfect place to drive a horse and carriage.

[Tomeperuser]

What a fine video! Thank you. Best regards, Tomeperuser

[hotdiva111]

i love that aroma , especially when it's mixed with fudge !! =]

[hotdiva111]

i go to mackinac island every year for the past eight years, check out the video i made of my most recent trip there.

[mo0929]

Another great video! I love the horses. So big and beautiful. I have a Quarter horse and a POA, they seem so tiny in comparison!

[Retroman43]

I love this place I love to go back if I can We are planning on going to there in june. :)

[Tegdesi]

Since I posted this , I have watched all there is on Mackinac. Fabulous place, but you have much more snow than we do. Not sure how we would cope with cold winters ! Would love to come for a visit though.

[Tegdesi]

What are your winters like ? I love the sound of Mackinac. .. Any room for 2 more people and a few more horses ???

[trentar]

It's in Michigan, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To see more, check out the movie, "Somewhere in Time", where most of it was shot.

[blizzardinternet]

If you like horses, you will love Mackinac Island. There are no cars on the island except for an amubalance, fire and police car