Page 64 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2020

neck of the woods | theatrehe good life | seasonal
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A modern day horse team, Tonka and Mato, were raised on an Amish
farm in Ohio. Together these nineteen- and sixteen-year-old Morgan-
Percheron mix breed brothers tip the scales at close to 2,900 pounds.
The horses qualified for a training facility in Ohio for the Police Force
and crowd control due to their intelligence, muscular builds, and the
docile nature of their breed. They are equally comfortable under har-
ness or saddle and have an undeniable willingness to work—as well as
a penchant for apples.
Garry Rose started his distinctive career over thirty years ago in the log-
ging and construction business. However, he made a full circle return
to logging with horses recently with the purchase of Tonka and Mata.
The brothers had been shipped from Ohio to a farm in Port Orford,
but the caring owners soon realized that these specialized horses would
thrive with someone who could utilize their training and talents. Soon
Rose and his new horses were at work offering a logging service with an
ecofriendly and passive means to manage and restore the health of the
forests. They also offer horse-drawn carriage rides at various locations
for the enjoyment of all.
Standing nineteen- and seventeen hands high respectively, Tonka and
Mato can pull up to 4,500 pounds of logs, depending on the ground
friction and terrain. Typically requiring about fifty pounds of hay daily,
more food is generally required for logging and or heavy labor. Rose
admits that the horses are “a lot more work than people think,” but he
is happiest just spending time working with his team. He has formed a
close connection, understanding, and respect for these gentle giants.
Rose built his beautifully constructed Western-themed covered wagon
by hand. Made of wood with fine details such as horseshoe and tack
embellishments, it seats up to twenty guests. Finished wooden benches
line each side of the interior carriage space with spacious head and leg
room. Rose currently offers carriage rides at local wineries and down-
town Jacksonville and has plans to expand his popular business to include
sleigh rides at lake of the Woods. Additionally, he has plans for making a
turn-of-the-century carriage to add to his horse-drawn vehicles.
No longer considered a “beast of burden,” the modern-day horse con-
tinues to grow in popularity as horse-related recreational and organ-
ized competition increases. In Southern Oregon, Rose has created a
resurgence in the use of the horse that is reflective of an era long ago.
In addition, he and his team of horses have provided pure joy to those
lucky enough to experience a horse-drawn carriage ride or the pure
power and elegance of horses logging in the forests. As the popularity of
horses continues to expand, it will undoubtedly encourage and arouse
the idea that perhaps horses can provide a way of life once lost with the
wars of man.
Garry Rose Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Garry Rose Contracting and Tree Service
Jacksonville, Oregon
Cutintrees@yahoo.com
541-660-4835