Draft Horses in the Drive-Thru: A Farmer's Unconventional Training Exercise at McDonald's
A local farmer in Wyoming, Allen Hatch, made a unique visit to a McDonald's drive-thru in Powell. Instead of a traditional vehicle, he arrived in a wagon pulled by two draft horses, Coal and Onyx. Hatch was running errands in town and used the outing as a training exercise for the horses to get them accustomed to traffic and everyday environments.
While passing through, Hatch decided to stop at McDonald's for a quick meal. The staff had mixed reactions to seeing the horses in the drive-thru lane. Some employees found it amusing, but the manager cited company policy, which prohibits livestock in the drive-thru for liability, sanitation, and safety reasons.
McDonald's drive-thru lanes are designed for motorized vehicles only, according to corporate guidelines. Animals, bicycles, and pedestrians are not allowed for health and safety reasons. Despite completing his visit and receiving his order, Hatch mentioned that they were not welcome back at McDonald's.
Coal and Onyx, aged 12 and 13, are still adjusting to their roles as working horses. Hatch acquired them from a Tennessee farm and has been training them for farm work, wagon rides, and mule colt training. The McDonald's stop was part of their training to ensure they are traffic safe.
Hatch expressed that the outing was secondary to the horses' training and that they handled it well. He plans to continue using the horses for various tasks in the future but has decided not to return to McDonald's after the experience. The visit to the fast-food chain was a memorable and unconventional part of their training journey.