Cody Massaro and his son lead one of the horse-drawn carriages around the Azalea District.

East Texas may not always be able to provide an idyllic winter wonderland in time for the holidays, but Mark Massaro of Cowboy Carriages can get you close enough.

“It’s about seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces giving somebody the opportunity to do stuff they haven’t done before,” Massaro said. Massaro and his team of ranchers have returned to Tyler for the second year in a row to provide horse-drawn carriage rides around the city’s historic Azalea District.

“We started off just doing weddings and parties and stuff,” he said. “Then I got a call from Visit Tyler asking if I could do it… I only had two carriages but they said it didn’t matter, so here we are.”

In one of the carriages, there are two brothers named Batman and Robin who are half quarter horse, half draft; in another carriage a half draft horse named Piper.

When it comes to preparing for carriage rides, from loading the horses into the trailer from Brownsboro to unloading them at Bergfeld Park, a lot goes into it. Beyond providing a memorable experience for carriage-riders, the team works to take care of the horses leading the way.

“We make sure they’re properly fed… and not just hay,” Massaro said. “The horses need to be bathed, their stalls need upkeep and… we want to make sure the horses’ mane looks nice as well… and that’s all before we leave.”

Upon arrival, after getting the horses out of the trailers, the ranchers get to work putting hoof boots on the horses.

“I have experience as a horseshoer and you typically would put steel horseshoes on but on these brick streets, it’s like putting oil on glass, which will cause the horses to slip,” Massaro said.

The boots have rubber on the bottom, giving a lower impact for the horses and providing better cushion for the legs.

“It’s better on the horses,” Massaro said. “I want to take care of the horses because they take care of me.”

Once the horses are shoed and hooked up the carriages, they are ready for rides — and there’s usually a line waiting for them.

“I let the kids take the reins if they want to,” Massaro said. “I once had a grandmother and her grandson on board and he didn’t want to but she definitely did, so I let her drive. I’m always right there, but as long as the drivers are having fun, the horses are pretty calm too.”

Yolanda Potts brought her three grandchildren to Bergfeld Park to play and have fun when they spotted the horse-drawn carriages being set up on College Avenue.

“We saw the horses and we thought we’d take advantage of them being here,” Potts said. “It was the first time for all of us, so it was great fun. The ride was very smooth and our guide was awesome and so nice.”

Rides are available between $5 to 15 per person — as it depends on the route chosen — but children under the age of 3 are free of charge.

“I’m not in it for the money,” Massaro said. “… I just want everybody to come out and enjoy your carriage ride and have fun.”

Weather permitting, the holiday carriage rides will be available now through Dec. 31, Thursday through Sunday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. located behind Bergfeld Park.

The carriages are a great way to enjoy the Azalea District, which is all lit up for the holiday season as homeowners deck out their properties with lights and decor. Every year, Visit Tyler hosts a decorating contest for homeowners to participate in, during which they decorate their homes for onlookers and neighbors to enjoy.

For more information about the carriage rides, call 903-681-2647.

WHAT: Horse-drawn carriage rides

WHERE: Behind Bergfeld Park, 1510 S. College Ave., Tyler

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday now through Dec. 31 (weather permitting) 

COST: $5 to $20 per person, depending on the route chosen

INFORMATION: 903-681-2647