A horse and carriage is a thrilling Christmas-time tradition, carried from carols and into Wareham Crossing.

You have probably seen the HKS Clydesdales carriage in the area at several recent events like “The Elf on the Shelf Fundraiser” at the Old Company Store or Marion’s Holiday Stroll. Phil and Andrea Anderson of their farm, Hobby Knolls Stables in Duxbury, are very busy this time of year, carting around free Christmas cheer with their HKS Clydesdale carriages.

The Anderson’s two youngest Clydesdale horses of their six, 5-year-old Carl and 6-year-old Diesel, have helped carry Wareham Crossing shoppers on hay ride circles around the shopping plaza every Monday since Thanksgiving, in their first year at this location.

On Monday, Dec. 9, during the tree lighting at the shops, “there must have been two hundred people and with a filled carriage we provided probably over twenty rides,” said Phil. Monday, Dec. 16, was their last day of the year here, with a bit less riders than past hay rides, due to the biting cold.

“It’s fun, bumpy, and should be around in the Summer,” said 9-year-old Kyle McCullough after an exciting hay ride from Diesel and Carl.

HKS Clydesdales have been providing these horse drawn services for two to three years now for private parties, functions, and they have a wedding carriage for marriage ceremonies as well. They also give hay rides at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham and Mansfield Crossing in Mansfield.

“We’re very busy this time of year, giving rides every night. Its cold most of the time, but it pays to feed all these guys,” smiled Phil gesturing toward Diesel and Carl.