Visit to Horse Barn

Nauvoo Mission Horse Barn

We got up this morning, ate breakfast and went up to the horse barn to watch the teamsters call the horses as they do each morning. We've been going to do this for some time.

The mission has 20 Percheron and Belgium draft horses (10 teams) that are used to pull wagons and carriages for the visitors to ride to see Nauvoo and it's country side. The horses are kept in a pasture by the horse barn.

Some of the Percheron Horses

Each morning, one of the teamsters will call the horses. They come trotting to the gate where a teamster opens the gate and each horse goes right to the trough with its name painted on it for their oats. Some of the troughs are in the barn and some are in the corral next to the barn. Its amazing to watch as each horse knows where they are to go for their grain (breakfast).

The horses which will be used that day for pulling wagons and carriages are curried (brushed) and their harnesses are put on them. Each horse also has a halter with its name on it.

Ann with one of the teams

These are beautiful animals. They play a big part in Nauvoo. People love to go on the wagon and carriage rides.