MNSSHP - Headless Horseman Question

[Matt'sMom]

We've seen the horse go by at a canter... never a full out gallop.

For those who are not familiar with gaits: the canter is a controlled, three-beat gait that usually is a slight bit faster than the average trot, but significantly slower than the gallop (which is a four beat gait).

 

[KarenAylwood]

We were very surprised this year to see him going so slowly. We've attended the first party every year since 2006. Every year he was galloping/fast canter (whatever you call it) and this year it was a VERY slow trot. Quite unimpressive and we both assumed something must have happened last year to make them change it.

 

[Jennasis]

Um, yes, I actually do. I have owned horses, competed in hunter/jumper events as well as dressage. I understand the risks, but I also understand the value of a good farrier. And of course, I would never expect the horse to do so during any kind of damp conditions. As far as the rider not being able to steer, I would imagine there is some sort of visibility provision for the rider due to guest safety (not to mention horse and rider's), and since the horse is moving and folks don't normally look for those sorts of things, it goes undetected. Even the characters have some very well camoflauged areas in their costumes that allow them to see where they sign an autograph. I also understand from previous research that there are several horses that fill this role-- one of which is a black Percheron. And Disney takes exceptional care of its horses, so it's unlikely that they left a horse out in the sun so long as to bleach it orange, and if this did happen, I'm thinking Disney would just use a "blacker" horse since they're all about the details.

And with all that said, I STILL think the Headless Horseman of the past is something I'd love to see... But I'm equally sure I will enjoy whichever version shows up on the night I'm there.

You would imagine wrong then.

I have seen the HH in full regalia up close and I have had discussions with the CM's involved with the parade. The horse is trained (much like a homing pigeon) to go from point A to point B. The rider is holding reins and can steer or stop if needed, but it's the horse doing what it's trained to.

A good farrier is worth their weight in gold (mine sure is), but borium can only do so much.

 

[nytimez]

You would imagine wrong then.

I have seen the HH in full regalia up close and I have had discussions with the CM's involved with the parade. The horse is trained (much like a homing pigeon) to go from point A to point B. The rider is holding reins and can steer or stop if needed, but it's the horse doing what it's trained to.

A good farrier is worth their weight in gold (mine sure is), but borium can only do so much.

What's a borium and a farrier? I feel like I stumbled upon a conversation taking place in another language!

 

[Jennasis]

What's a borium and a farrier? I feel like I stumbled upon a conversation taking place in another language!

So sorry!

A farrier is the person who puts shoes on a horse. In lay-person terms...a blacksmith. They trim the horses hooves and shape the horseshoes to fit the horses feet.

Borium is tungsten carbide that is applied to the bottom of a horses shoe to give it added grip on slippery surfaces. It is applied in drops and acts like studs or "cleats". Two drops at the toe of the shoe and one at the end of shoes by the heel.

Great stuff if you ride on ice, or other hard potentially slippery surfaces.

Regular shoes:

Shoes with borium:

 

[texaslonestar]

We've seen the horse go by at a canter... never a full out gallop.

For those who are not familiar with gaits: the canter is a controlled, three-beat gait that usually is a slight bit faster than the average trot, but significantly slower than the gallop (which is a four beat gait).

I was just thinking this. There is a gain in between a full on gallop and a trot. A nice controlled canter/lope would look much more impressive than a trot, and not be as out of control as a gallop. I'm a pretty experienced rider and I love a great gallop on a horse, but I think it would scare the tar out of me along a parade route, dark at night, with lots of people milling about. Last year I wasn't too impressed with the HH and I though that it was just that particular parade, now I know that I was a year too late to see the full effect. I was hoping to see it this year much faster than last year. I know now not to expect anything fast.

 

[eeyoresnr]

What's a borium and a farrier? I feel like I stumbled upon a conversation taking place in another language!

 

[nytimez]

So sorry!

A farrier is the person who puts shoes on a horse. In lay-person terms...a blacksmith. They trim the horses hooves and shape the horseshoes to fit the horses feet.

Borium is tungsten carbide that is applied to the bottom of a horses shoe to give it added grip on slippery surfaces. It is applied in drops and acts like studs or "cleats". Two drops at the toe of the shoe and one at the end of shoes by the heel.

Great stuff if you ride on ice, or other hard potentially slippery surfaces.

Regular shoes:

Shoes with borium:

thanks for the translation!

 

[Motomom06]

Does the HH ride before each parade or just the first one?

 

[chiamarie]

Does the HH ride before each parade or just the first one?

Both. We always skip the first parade because it's so busy and wait for the second (since we're all adults and don't have small children in our party).

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I understand the appeal of seeing it galloping, but I'm personally glad it's slowed down. Maybe this year I can get a picture of something besides it's butt.

 

[MamaCrush]

VERY good point!!

 

[Mitzicat]

I can't remember which year but I am thinking 2003 because the bags were for the Haunted Mansion movie with Eddie Murphy... I remember that right before the parade the park went dark...I mean really dark and all you heard was the galloping of the horse. It was like a rolling thunder. The horse they used was huge. And I can't remember correctly if I'm just making this up...I remember correctly they had rigged red LEDs on the outside of the head gear (sorry don't know technical term) on the horse to make it seem like glowing red eyes. It was one of the scariest but neatest things I have ever seen. I can still hear the sound in my head.

I asked a friend who is a cast member why the changes and it was safety reasons both for guests and the horse/ride and the horse / rider scared too many kids and this was supposed to be a fun Halloween party.

 

[HallGirl]

I remember hearing last year from some CMs that they started using a new horse and he wasn't used to the route. That doesn't account for this year, but I imagine that the horse is still getting used to the route. It's been almost a year, maybe he forgot what the route was like? It could also be safety. They turn up the lights on the street when the headless horseman is on his way.

 

[PrincessV]

I remember hearing last year from some CMs that they started using a new horse and he wasn't used to the route.

I heard the same thing last year. For whatever it's worth, we've been at MNSSHP on Halloween the past 2 years... I seem to remember the horse at more of a fast trot in 2008, but I really think he was at a slow canter last year.

ETA: Yep, a slow canter 10/31/09: video clip

 

[budbeerlady]

Love it that they use the Friesian! It does appear that they slowed down but while its less impressive it is a whole lot safer!

With all those flash lights going off IF someone darted in front of the horse it would be hard to miss them. People often don't realize how dangerous it is, especially in the dark. They leave their brains at home when they go on vacation.

I am very surprised to think they let the horse go barefoot on the pavement. I wonder what the salary is of their farrier?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Hello all . . .

I usually hang out on the camping section of the Disboards (if you have never visited, you should- we have a lot of fun over there).

I'm not sure how many of you know that the horse barns for all of WDW's horses are located at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

A few weeks ago, a camper posted information that WDW management was experimenting with not shoeing its horses. Here's a link to that post:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37974086&postcount=245

And, since there are some folks who have posted on this thread who seem to have an interest in horses, here's an old post of mine about a visit to the FW Blacksmith shop:

Time to share my favorite moment from this trip.

I swear that the Fort is a magical place. You never know what is around the next corner, or what magical moment will happen next. I have been to the Fort dozens of times, and on every trip something unexpected and wonderful happens.

And, this trip was no exception.

On Friday morning, after looping around the 600 and 700 loops, I decided to pay a visit to the horse barn. We used to stop in there on every visit. The DD's used to be more into horses than they are now, so it has been a while since we have paid the ranch a visit.

It has been a long time since I have seen any activity in the Blacksmith shop, but something is going on in there on this morning.

So, we need to take a look, right?

In case we have any newbies reading along this deep into the report, the Blacksmith shop is located in the Settlement area of the Fort. A very short walk from the Settlement bus stop.

Here is what the Blacksmith shop looks like as you approach:

This is a working shop, with all kinds of interesting equipment and supplies (which are usually packed away) :

You have heard of Hidden Mickeys, right? Well here is a hidden TCD:

Here at the shop, I find a castmember working on a horse:

His name is Floyd.

That's the horse.

I am sorry but I didn't get the castmember's name.

Floyd pulls carriages around the Fort. He used to work at the Magic Kingdom. He is getting new shoes this morning:

Hey, what is this. Another guy with leather chaps? Exactly what is going on around the Fort these days?

And look closely, you can see another hidden TCD!

On his hat, too:

While I am visiting, I notice that some other castmembers are sprucing the place up:

It is good to see so much work going on around the Fort lately. The whole place is really looking good!

I see some evidence of New Year's Eve revelry:

That's a big horseshoe, isn't it? I wonder if it came off one of the Magic Kingdom's horses? Wouldn't it be nice to have one of those to hang at your campsite?

If you stay at the Fort for any length of time, you will see these trucks and trailers traveling through from time to time:

This is what they use to take the horses back and forth to the Magic Kingdom.

Some more shots from around the Blacksmith shop:

I don't remember the big Mickey head on this gate, but here it is:

That is the horse barn there in the background. I have some photos taken inside there, which you will see in my next post.

Here is something interesting (well, it is interesting to me anyway). This Vineland Station sign is a prop from the Haunted Carriage Rides from Halloween time at the Fort. Someone forgot to take it down:

So, what was so special about this moment?

I am getting to that part.

While chatting with the castmember, I asked what happens with all of the old horseshoes. He says they are sent out for recycling. I asked him if it would be a problem if he gave a used horseshoe away. He said he didn't see a problem with it. But, Floyd's old shoes were a bit thin in places, and had some sharp edges. That wouldn't make a real safe souvenir. The castmember then rooted through a pile of old horseshoes that was lying there, and came up with a real nice horseshoe. Which he presented to me. And, here it is:

I tied a piece of twine onto it, so I could hang it at the campsite. I will work on a better way to display it next time. A pretty neat souvenir. A shoe from a horse that worked in the Magic Kingdom.


And, my favorite moment from this trip.

TCD

In case any of you are interested, you can visit the WDW stables at FW by taking the boat from the MK to FW. It's just a short walk from the FW marina to the stables.

The Headless Horseman's horses are kept there when he is not riding them.

TCD

 

[MamaCrush]

TCD: Thanks for sharingt!

 

[budbeerlady]

Thanks Tri-circle-D!!!!! I will have to head over there and check it out, somehow we have never ended up going out there.

 

[loriandmatt]

The first party I went to was in 2008, and the horse was shod and galloping, and his shoes made sparks with the pavement, it was amazing!

AT LAST!!!! - somoene else saw this! i thought i was remembering incorrectly that his shoes were throwing sparks. yes it was very impressive! we saw it in 2001 and we were right at the very begining of the route - literally right off the curve coming out of the fire house/ parade start and even with it being the begining, that horse was seriously hauling! it totally made our MNSSHP experience.