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Frankenmuth News

Serving Frankenmuth Since 1906

Vol. 120 No. 14 In our 120th year!

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Carriage horse keels over on Holzbrucke

  A horse carriage incident which took place in the midst of the Holzbruecke (covered wooden bridge) closed that span for a while on Saturday afternoon, October 4.

  The Frankenmuth Police Department was summoned to the bridge, which crosses the Cass River and connects South Main Street and the Covered Bridge parking lot, at 4:31pm. They were dispatched to a reported incident involving a downed horse which was owned by H & H Acres and Carriage Company, Frankenmuth.

  Upon arrival, FPD officers observed a horse lying on the bridge deck. FPD Chief Don Mawer said the initial investigation suggested the horse, which was pulling a black carriage and traveling eastbound, suffered a sudden medical issue and collapsed.

  The act of the horse falling caused the attached carriage to tip slightly.

  A motor vehicle traveling westbound over the bridge was slightly damaged during the incident, though the vehicle did not strike the carriage. Tragically, the 16-year-old horse named “Ruby” passed away at the scene.

  Carriage driver was not injured, and there were no passengers in the buggy. The deceased horse was subsequently returned to its farm and was transported to Michigan State University for a necropsy to help determined the cause of death.

  According to a Facebook post by H & H Acres and Carriage Service, “Ruby” was rescued from a kill pen just before she was to be sent to slaughter. When she first arrived at H & H Acres, the new owners realized she had endured a difficult past. Through patience, kindness, and time spent working in Frankenmuth, “Ruby” learned that people could be gentle. She began to trust again – especially children. She was spoiled daily with bakery treats, soft brushes, and love from all her met her.

  Mawer said news of this incident quickly spread across the state and Midwest, with Detroit and Lansing newspapers reaching out, as well as television and radio stations. .....  

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