The Art of the Hitch: Pair A Dice Carriages

Taylor Van Zyl
Oct 7
3 min read

Hi everyone!

I’ve decided to start a weekly educational mini-series all about Pair A Dice Carriages — draft horses and their history (specifically Percherons), draft horse care, our training philosophy, why we do what we do, how we do it, and anything else you want to learn about.

I’ve never done anything like this before, so bear with me as I figure it out! I’ll be starting here on my website and Facebook, and in the coming weeks, I hope to branch out into TikTok and Instagram as well.

If you have advice or tips, please share them in the comments — I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’re curious about, drop it below, and I’ll plan a future episode on it.

Thanks for following along — I’m excited to share more about our horses and the world of driving with you all! 🐴✨

House Rule for This Series: BE NICE!

I have one simple rule: no negative or rude comments. If I see even one not nice remark, that person will be immediately removed and blocked.

Everything in this series is based on my experience, my opinion, and how we do things at Pair A Dice Carriages. If you want to have a discussion or ask questions, please send me a private message — I’m happy to chat there.

I will not tolerate ignorant or hurtful comments. Let’s keep this space friendly, respectful, and fun for everyone!

Our First Episode: Percherons & Stagecoaches

Since we just wrapped up our summer rodeo season, I thought it would be fitting to start with the Percheron breed and the stagecoach. I heard a lot of mixed things this summer about historical accuracy, so let’s clear a few things up.

The Percheron originated in the Le Perche region of France, where they were first bred as powerful war horses. They are either black or grey in color. (Back then, they were only 15–16 hands.) When gunpowder made the mounted knight obsolete, France needed a new kind of strength — horses that could pull heavy stagecoaches instead of armor and weapons. The Percheron fit that need perfectly. They had the muscle to move weight, the stamina to keep a steady 7–10 MPH trot all day, and the style to do it with class.

When major roads were built from Paris to the ports of Normandy, the demand for reliable stagecoach teams was constant. Horses from Le Perche were exactly what they needed. These Percherons became known as Diligence Horses, named after the “diligences,” or stagecoaches, they pulled. They were elegant, athletic workers that blended draft power with carriage style — a spirit that lives on in Percherons today.

So, for anyone who says Percherons aren’t historically accurate on stagecoaches… there you go. It's in the history books. :)

A Quick History of the Stagecoach

Stagecoaches began in 17th century Britain and evolved from earlier horse-drawn carriages into a primary mode of transport and mail delivery before trains and automobiles. Traveling in “stages” between relay stations, they became iconic in the American West. The Concord coach — the type used for the PADC stagecoach — was durable, rugged, and offered a comfortable ride thanks to its leather-strap suspension system.

By the 1700s and 1800s, stagecoaches were vital in connecting remote settlements, carrying people, goods, and mail across vast distances. Today, they remain a symbol of frontier spirit and western heritage.

Different Kinds of Stagecoaches

Stagecoaches came in all shapes and sizes, each built for a specific purpose:

Concord coaches were rugged and durable, perfect for rough frontier roads while keeping passengers comfortable.
Overland stagecoaches became famous in the mid-1800s for connecting the eastern U.S. to frontier towns during westward expansion and the California Gold Rush. They required teams of strong horses (often six at a time) and skilled drivers to navigate deserts, mountains, and rough prairie roads.
Mail coaches were built for speed and efficiency, carrying letters and small cargo quickly between towns.
Smaller regional coaches ran short routes in towns or nearby villages, while luxury coaches offered padded seats, curtains, and extra comfort for wealthier passengers.

Each type of stagecoach helped connect people, communities, and commerce long before trains or cars, leaving a legacy that lives on in carriage rides and historical reenactments today.

When you put Percherons on a stagecoach, you’re seeing living history in motion. That’s exactly what we were able to share with audiences all over this summer. We’re looking forward to hitting the road again next summer and sharing our horses, our stagecoach, and the rich history behind them with even more people!

Well that wraps up this session. Thank you for joining in on Episode 1 of the Art of the Hitch: Pair A Dice Carriages! Drive on friends!