CARTHAGE – Holly McCormick has always loved horses. Working horses, riding horses, or ponies. She loves them all.

She has taken these feelings of admiration and turned them into a business at her home, once known as the Taintor farm, on Winter Hill.

The strength and talent of roan-colored Belgians or black Percherons, along with McCormick’s skill in driving these huge equines, are used to draw hay wagons, sleighs and carriages of all vintages and sizes for special occasions.

“Pat” the Belgian came with a small, century-old, red and black Studebaker carriage. McCormick says they are perfect for birthday parties or weddings.

She also found in the town of Stetson a big red sleigh that can hold 20 people. Already she has hitched up her horses and used it for a charity ride in Windsor.

Then there’s an old hay wagon and a new one good for Halloween or hayrides.

But most impressive is the new custom-ordered-from-Canada white wedding carriage.

The carriage has red velveteen seats and white wagon wheels. McCormick dons a black tuxedo and red bow tie to drive one or two black geldings.

McCormick grew up on a farm, much like many of her relatives, and had worked for a business in Dexter that provided horse-drawn hayrides, wedding carriages and other horse-drawn rides.

She worked at International Paper in Jay, then moved into her husband Butch’s farm in Carthage a few years ago. The farm didn’t have horses. She felt it needed them. Then one day she started thinking about starting her own business, using the horses she enjoyed.

She quit her mill job and started building up the number of wagons and horses needed to provide a variety of experiences for special events.

Her husband didn’t know much about horses, but he’s learning, she said. He often tends to the horses when she isn’t able.

She spends virtually every day tending to the horses or restoring old wagons, she said, and has been hired out at least 15 times since launching her business about a year ago.

“I love the people, and I love the kids,” she said. “They ask me all kinds of questions about the horses.”

The special-made wedding carriage has yet to be used, but she expects it will be soon.

As she’s built up her business, she’s sure of one thing: She’ll never be without horses again.

“I love it. My horses will be here until I die. They are like family,” she said.

She will travel statewide to provide a horse-drawn experience.