HERMANN HORSE FIELD GUIDE
Hands‑On with Shire Draft Horses: A 1.5‑Hour Immersion at Hermann Farm
A concise guide to the Hermann Farm "Shire Experience," covering the hands‑on lesson, carriage ride and behind‑the‑scenes tour so you know what to expect and where the tour actually starts.
Hands‑On with Shire Draft Horses: A 1.5‑Hour Immersion at Hermann Farm.
Join handlers and trainers at Hermann Farm for a hands‑on Shire draft horse experience that combines instruction on history, care, harnessing and driving with a leisurely carriage ride across the farm and a behind‑the‑scenes tour at the Stone Barn.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Meet the Shire draft horses up close
Guests learn about the history and care of Hermann Farm’s Shires and observe the trust and partnership between handler and horse—seeing these gentle giants doing the work they were bred for.
A leisurely carriage ride through Hermann Farm
Participants board one of Hermann Farm’s carriages (Leon, Farm Wagon or 4‑Seat Surrey, depending on group size) for a picturesque, slow ride through the farm before returning to the Stone Barn.
Behind‑the‑scenes at the Stone Barn
The experience culminates with a tour at the new Hermann Farm Stone Barn where guests receive a closer, hands‑on look at harnessing, driving and the daily care of the Shire horses.
What the day feels like
What the experience feels like
Over 1.5 hours you’ll move from instruction to practice: starting at the Stone Barn, you’ll learn about harnessing and driving, climb aboard a carriage suited to your group, ride slowly through Hermann Farm, then return to the barn for a behind‑the‑scenes tour tailored to the group’s interests.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits best—and why.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The full experience runs 1.5 hours.
The tour starts at the new Hermann Farm Stone Barn. It does not start at the museum on 526 E 1st Street; participants are responsible for their own transportation to the Stone Barn.
Hands‑on instruction about history, care, harnessing and driving, a carriage ride in a Leon, Farm Wagon or 4‑Seat Surrey (vehicle depends on group size), and a behind‑the‑scenes Stone Barn tour.
No specific gear list is provided in the trip information; the operator runs a hands‑on program and provides the harnessing and carriage equipment.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Shire Experience?
The program runs 1.5 hours.
Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at the new Hermann Farm Stone Barn; it does not start at the museum on 526 E 1st Street, and participants must arrange their own transport to the Stone Barn.
What will we do during the experience?
Guests learn about history, care, harnessing and driving of the Shire horses, take a carriage ride through Hermann Farm, and finish with a behind‑the‑scenes Stone Barn tour.
Is this suitable for children?
The offering is described as an all‑ages experience.
What type of carriage will we ride?
Depending on group size, participants ride aboard a Leon, Farm Wagon or a 4‑Seat Surrey.
Can the experience be tailored?
Because groups are usually small, the Experience can be tailored to emphasize what your group is most interested in learning about the Shires and Hermann Farm.