Meet Shannon Cole of Happy Trails Carriage Service in McKinney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Cole.

Shannon began her carriage driving carrier in August 1997 driving for Double Tree Carriages in Dallas. When they went out of business she drove for Dallas Surrey Service for 3 1/2 years until she purchased her own horses Buttermilk and Trigger, who the company is named for, and carriage for what has become Happy Trails Carriage Service (formerly Happy Trails Horse-Drawn Carriage Service) on February 5th, 2001. As of January, 2006, she relocated her service to historic downtown McKinney, Texas. She has spent years researching the history of the homes and square and has put together an extensive architectural and historical tour. She also takes people on ghost hunts as the town in filled with spirits. It has been fantastic in McKinney and she is busy as ever. By 2010, she went to all reservations only.

In 2009, she apprenticed with Joan Green and became a farrier (horseshoer). Not only does this ensure that her horses have proper shoes, but she is also able to help her clients achieve maximum hoof care for their horses as well. Shannon specializes in polyurethane shoes which reduce concussion, improve traction and help horses to be as comfortable as possible. She works by trimming horses when she is not shoeing or driving her own. She no longer does metal shoes since her carriage driving accident on March 27th, 2015 which left her wrist damaged.

As of October 2015, Shannon graduated from the KeKino Equine Sports Massage Therapy program under the instruction of Jeannie Gentry. She has added this vital tool to help her personal horses and the horses of her farrier customers stay balanced.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is always a challenge to have a business with horses. They are strong, yet delicate animals that require extensive care. The biggest challenge came on the night of March 27th, 2015, where Shannon and her beloved horses Silver and Jasper were struck by a careless driver in her commercial work van, which fled the scene. Her horses were directly hit and thrown into a parked truck severely injuring them, breaking Jasper’s hind leg and injuring Shannon’s right wrist, arm and neck from where she was holding onto them while they were hit. The carriage and passengers were unharmed. Shannon was unable to work for nearly 6 months, and had to sell a carriage, give away 2 horses and rely on donations to survive. She has mostly recovered although there is nerve damage to her wrist and arm, and the horses made a full recovery, yet it aged them all.

She had to spend nearly a year retraining her horses to get all of their confidence and trust back, and it is a miracle, but they are back to work and doing really well. The business had a substantial loss and the whole event is still under litigation. She has yet to be compensated for vet bills, lost income or damages.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Happy Trails Carriage Service – what should we know?
Most of our horses are rescues. It is my passion to rescue and place horses in their forever homes. Most of her “fur children” have been through some form of abuse, neglect or starvation before she got them at some point in their lives. Healing these beautiful animals, feeding them several times a day and giving them a job where they have a sense of purpose has inspired and fulfilled her life in so many ways. They also have regular massage and the newest polyurethane shoes which provide comfort and traction. Retiring them and keeping them healthy and well fed as long as they live are also what waits for them when they can no longer work. It is an honor to be able to drive a horse that has been abused. It shows the ultimate in trust and just how magical the power of love really is. All of her horses are Missouri Foxtrotters and are related.

We are the only commercial carriage company in the US to exclusively drive a pair of white Missouri Foxtrotters. We are unique with our India weddings, which we are sought out worldwide for. We have done weddings from Memphis Tennessee to Midland, TX, all over Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. We also specialize in Unicorns for photo shoots and film productions. I am really psychic and take people to look for ghosts and spirits in McKinney’s Historic District.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel it is my love and passion of my horses, driving and my knowledge of the history of McKinney that has helped me achieve great success. I am also a huge people person who connects with the shop owners, restaurant owners and venues as well as the vendors I work with every weekend in the wedding and event industry. I am a workaholic who is driven to succeed no matter what to be able to sustain the business. I am extremely creative with inventing niches and ideas with costuming and making my horses have a show groomed turn out.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.happytrailscarriage.com
• Phone: 214-662-6705
• Email: happycarriage@yahoo.com
• Facebook: Happy Trails Carriage Service

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