Meet Our Horses and Team
The Horses and People Behind Collins Cattle & Grove
Collins Cattle & Grove is a small, close-knit operation built around exceptional horses, traditional horsemanship, and the people who care for them.
Our horses are more than carriage animals. They are ranch partners, riding horses, therapy animals, teachers, and members of the family. Each has a different personality, history, and role within the herd.
Behind every carriage or wagon ride is also a teamster and assistant responsible for the horses, equipment, route, and guests. Together, the herd and their handlers make each Collins Cattle & Grove experience possible.
Abby - The Gentle Matriarch
Abby is a registered Spotted Draft Horse with Percheron and Quarter Horse bloodlines. Born in 2005, she stands approximately 15.3 hands tall and proudly holds the title of the only mare in our draft horse herd.
Originally from Georgia, Abby competed as an obstacle horse before moving to Florida, where she was trained for both carriage driving and therapeutic riding. Her calm, patient personality quickly made her a favorite with riders of all ages.
Today, Abby enjoys a well-earned lighter schedule. You'll most often find her greeting visitors during photo opportunities and special events alongside her longtime partner, Doug. She absolutely loves being groomed, posing for pictures, and soaking up attention from guests. Around the barn, she's the nurturing presence that keeps everyone in line.
Doug - The Cowboy at Heart
Doug is a registered Belgian gelding born in 2005 and stands around 16 hands tall. Originally from Ohio before relocating to North Florida, Doug has built an impressive résumé that includes ranch work, trail riding, fox hunting, carriage driving, and therapeutic riding.
If you asked Doug, however, he'd tell you he's really a cow horse. Give him cattle to sort and he's convinced he's headed for the rodeo.
Doug continues to serve as one of our primary carriage horses and is Ed's trusted training partner, helping introduce new teamsters to horse-drawn carriage driving while mentoring younger horses in the herd. Whether he's giving carriage rides, helping with therapy programs, or working cattle, Doug approaches every job with quiet confidence and years of experience.
Ruger - The Leader
Ruger is the powerhouse of the barn. Strong, dependable, and steady, he's the kind of horse that naturally takes charge without ever demanding attention.
As Bull's driving partner, Ruger helps teach the routines, confidence, and consistency that every great draft horse needs. His calm attitude makes him an ideal mentor, and visitors often notice how effortlessly he leads both on and off the carriage route.
Whether traveling through historic districts, neighborhood holiday light displays, or community festivals, Ruger provides the quiet confidence that keeps every ride smooth.
Clark - The Old Soul
Clark is a Percheron and Quarter Horse cross born in 2019 and standing approximately 15.3 hands tall. Originally from Minnesota, he arrived with experience in both riding and driving.
Although he's one of the younger horses in the herd, Clark carries himself with the calm personality of an old veteran. Gentle, patient, and eager to learn, he's become one of the most dependable horses for both carriage work and ranch activities.
When he's not pulling the carriage, Clark enjoys working cattle and continuing his education alongside Doug, who helps shape the next generation of carriage horses at Collins Cattle & Grove.
Bull - The Rising Star
Every successful team starts with a rookie, and Bull proudly fills that role.
This season marks Bull's first full year participating in public horse-drawn carriage rides as Collins expands toward operating a second carriage team. While he's still learning the finer points of the job, confidence has never been in short supply.
Bull loves meeting new people, thrives on attention, and never misses an opportunity to say hello to visitors. He may still be a little messy at feeding time, but his friendly personality—and arguably the best hair in the barn—have already made him a guest favorite.
Prince - The Gentle Giant
Prince is a Belgian gelding born in 2018 and stands an impressive 18 hands tall. Before joining Collins Cattle & Grove, he spent his early years on an Iowa farm pulling agricultural equipment.
Despite his massive size, Prince is one of the gentlest horses you'll ever meet. His calm disposition makes him equally comfortable introducing guests to horse-drawn carriage rides or helping riders build confidence through therapeutic riding.
Partnered with Duke, Prince continues to prove that the biggest horses often have the softest hearts.
Duke - The New Guy
Duke is the newest addition to the Collins herd, arriving from South Carolina in 2026. At seven years old, this experienced Belgian gelding already has an impressive background driving both single and team hitches.
Easygoing, trusting, and eager to work, Duke settled into the barn almost immediately. Paired with Prince, he's quickly becoming an important part of our expanding carriage program and will help introduce even more families to horse-drawn carriage rides throughout Central Florida in the years ahead.