Horse-drawn carriage rides their specialty
Most folks know the lyrics to “Jingle Bells,” but not many people have actually ridden in a “one-horse open sleigh.” Joanie Lamm owner of Mont Lamm Belgians in Clayton, Wash., would like to change that.
Ten years ago she and her husband, Jim, bought a 55-acre farm. Jim Lamm had already purchased a team of Belgian draft horses. Apparently two Belgians weren’t enough. Today, 16 of the gentle giants roam the fenced property. “We’re not raising them anymore,” Joanie Lamm said. “It got too expensive.” The horses weigh around 2,000 pounds and can consume up to 40 pounds of hay daily.
As she watched the horses from the fence, Joanie Lamm smiled and said of her husband, “His thing was to farm with the horses the old-fashioned way. He was a frustrated Amish man.”
Sadly, Jim Lamm died in July. His widow maintains the farm with help from her husband’s former assistant.
The distinctive Belgians are a familiar sight around the area. “We take them up to Green Bluff and do hayrides every year,” Lamm said. She ran her hands along a rustic wooden hay wagon that was built by the Amish for her husband. “It’s very special,” she said.
But when the snow falls, more old-fashioned fun is called for, and the horses are adorned with bells and hitched to one of two beautiful sleighs. Unlike the song, these are two-horse open sleighs.
A little red sleigh built by Jim Lamm delivered Santa to River Park Square a few weeks ago. A much larger sleigh that can hold up to 15 people is frequently used for sleigh rides around the farm throughout the winter. In addition, several years ago Lamm acquired the sleigh purportedly featured in the movie “Holiday Inn,” starring Bing Crosby. “We know it came from the studio,” said Lamm. “But, it’s just a prop. We don’t give rides in it.”
In 2001 the Lamms opened an event facility on the property. Now, Joanie Lamm said her summers are filled with weddings and reunions. She said the gazebo and lawn are beautiful in the summer.
The Belgians are also available as transportation for wedding parties. “We’ve got several bridal carriages,” said Lamm.
On a recent winter afternoon the soft whinnying of the horses was drowned out by the shriek of two African geese. Lamm operates TLC Bird Haven along with Mont Lamm Belgians. She welcomes cast-offs and orphans. “Every time I turn around someone is calling with a bird they don’t want,” she said. Pointing at the large exotic geese she said, “Someone dumped these at Lake Coeur d’Alene.”
Plans are under way to build a 15-acre free-flight aviary on the property. “I love animals,” she said, and added with a smile, “I’d much rather be around animals than people.”
A pony wandered up to the fence and nuzzled Lamm. “This was Jim’s dream,” she said stroking the horse. “I was just along for the ride.” She turned her head as tears pooled in her eyes. “It will go on for now,” she said.