Small Business Spotlight: The Hitching Company

Article by Becky Fillinger

Mike Miller with Marty and carriage at the Nicollet Island Inn.

Looking for a fun way to see the sights of Minneapolis? How about a carriage ride? We spoke to Barb Miller, co-owner of The Hitching Company, about the company’s history, rides available (you can design your own route!) and the great care provided to their horses. 

Q:  Please tell us the history of The Hitching Company.

A:  The Hitching Company was started in 1988 with one white Cinderella carriage, pulled by two beautiful white horses, catering mainly to the wedding trade. After about a year or so of providing elegant carriage rides for weddings and special occasions, we purchased the assets of Cobblestone Carriage Company in Minneapolis. This acquisition gave us three valuable assets - a second carriage, the phone number of Cobblestone Carriages Company, and a daily ride schedule.

Barb and Mike MillerShortly after the purchase of Cobblestone, we started the long application process with Minneapolis to obtain our necessary permits to operate in the city. We were elated to be granted permits to operate carriages in Minneapolis. We operated out of The Hyatt Hotel for about a year and then decided to add The Nicollet Island Inn as a second location. The cobblestones of Main Street and the history of the Island seem to be a good fit with our historic and romantic carriage rides. We added two more carriages when we started at The Nicollet Island Inn. With the additional carriages, we purchased a building downtown to house the carriages. Over the years we have added more carriages and horses.

Regarding our horses, we have a farm just north of Minneapolis where they live when not working. The horses enjoy sleeping, rolling in the dirt (especially just before heading to work), and eating. We have a large field to let them graze in during the summer and walk around for exercise. The Hitching Company has had the privilege to provide our horses, carriages and staff to events not only in Minneapolis and St. Paul but all around the metro area. We have performed in thousands of parades and events as far away as Montana, New Jersey, Florida and almost everything in between. We have participated in weddings from the very beginning of our company and now we are providing wedding services to the kids of parents that used our services for their wedding day. We also provide horses and caisson for funerals - bringing a loved one on the last ride to the final resting place. The majority of our work is carriage tours in Minneapolis.

What's more romantic on your wedding day than a horse-drawn carriage ride?

Celebrating this girl's Quinceañera with a carriage ride.

Q:  Who takes a carriage tour and why?

A:  So many people love carriage rides - young, old, people on first dates, people celebrating weddings and anniversaries, visitors to the city, family holiday traditions and more. Some people love horses and want to spend time with our horses. Others wish to slow down and relax from the hectic pace of life. For the history lovers, we offer a fully narrated tour that is informative and educational.

These beautiful animals are well cared for.

Q:  How many horses do you have? Where are they stabled?

A:  We currently have 18 horses on our farm in Stacy, Minnesota. The horses are trailered to our Minneapolis stable on tour days.

Q:  What precautions do you have in place for your horses' safety and wellbeing?

A:  We give very good care to our horses. They get vet checks and shots throughout the year. Our farrier trims and shoes the horses on a regular basis so they can easily walk on the different surfaces of the city.

We also provide health, hoof and dental care for the horses. In addition, we provide long term care for every retired horse that works for our company. It may be a human thing, but knowing they can spend their golden years on our farm is the least we can provide for them.

A common sight on Main Street.

Q:  What areas do you serve? Are there choices of routes for rides?

A:  We are currently offering rides that start and end at The Nicollet Island Inn at 95 Merriam Street in Minneapolis. Our thirty-minute Mississippi River Carriage Tour takes you down the cobblestone of Main Street and around the Nicollet Island. The sixty-minute Mississippi River Grand Carriage Tour takes you over the Hennepin Avenue bridge to the North Loop area. From there we make our way along West River Parkway to the Stone Arch Bridge. The carriage crosses over the Stone Arch Bridge to Main Street. Once on Main Street the carriage will travel down Main Street to Merriam Street where it will go back on the Island and to the Nicollet Island Inn.

In the near future we will be starting and ending our tours from our stable in the North Loop, 925 N 5th Street. We will be offering 30-, 60- and 90-minute tours from the stable. The tours will offer the river area, North Loop and Loring Park/Nicollet Mall.

Our tours are predetermined but can be customized if planned ahead of time. Come ride with us!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Our website is www.thehitchingcompany.com. We are also on Facebook and Instagram.