Work Continues as Winter's Pace Settles Over Island

Strong and sure-footed with a balanced gait, Marvin (right) and Sam confidently make their way along Main Street Wednesday, January 16. The sound of their hoofs is muffled by the snow that covers the Island's downtown roadway. The 1,800-pound Belgians give little notice to the snowmobiles that pass by. Dray driver Mike Evelyn (not pictured) gently pulls on the left reign to indicate a left turn as the horses make their way to the dock to collect arriving freight. Winter is the construction season on the Island. The Mackinac Island Service Company animals are two of 12 dray horses that remain on the Island this winter. They are joined by four taxi horses. In the fall, as the outside temperature begins dropping, they grow heavy, dense hair that protects against the bitter winter weather. Along with a special grain mixture, each horse will eat up to four tons of hay during the frigid months. Nearly 500 horses make their home on Mackinac Island in the summer. They will begin returning in the spring as the snow melts and the ice in the Straits breaks up, allowing boat travel to resume.