About Us

Tour Mackinac Island with your own horse and buggy!

Let the horse do the work while your family rides in comfort. The Mackinac Island State Park covers 82% of this beautiful and historic island and we can direct you to a route which will take you along scenic Lake Shore Drive with a panoramic view of the Mackinac Bridge. Drive through the wooded avenues of the park at a comfortable sightseeing pace. Enjoy this affordable and fun way of experiencing Mackinac.

Our horse professionals will give you careful driving instructions after assessing your level of experience with horses. A road map of Mackinac Island is provided free of charge. Courteous dispatchers will suggest the best routes to take depending upon where you want to go and how long you want to stay.

If you would prefer to explore Mackinac on horseback, we have a stable of riding horses here at Jack's Livery or visit our sister company, Cindy's Riding Stable. After you have described your riding ability we will do our best to match you with a horse appropriate for your skill level. Safety is very important to us. Look over our policies for more information. After saddling up, our guides will give riding instructions and escort you to the state park. At this point you may continue on your own or with one of our experienced guides.

Are you interested in joining our staff and working as a horse professional? If you have experience with horses, please visit our Employment page.

We look forward to putting the reins in your hands and helping you experience the island in the traditional Mackinac way! If you have any questions, please contact us.

History

Prior to 1953, Taylor Gough rented a few drive-yourself horse and buggies out of Horn's barn on Market Street. He had an old gray mare named "Babe," a thin bay gelding named "Pete" and a quiet black gelding named "King." In 1953, Taylor's sons Jack and Burton Gough established Jack's Livery Stable on Mahoney Avenue.

Upon Jack's death in 1970 and Burton's death in 1976, Jack's sons, William and Reginald , Burton's son Dale, and William's wife Cindy took over the family business which now includes Cindy's Riding Stable on Market Street. Today Dale and his wife Jodi, William's son, Teddy, and Dale and Jodi's children, Veronica, Burton and Kristi run the business.  Four generations of Goughs in the horse business have experienced the expansion from Taylor's three horses in 1952 to today's over 75 carriage and riding horses.