The Horses Behind Our Sleigh Ride Candle

Some products have a story behind them — and some stories are so special they deserve to be told. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to the horses and owner behind the inspiration for one of our best-selling winter candles, Sleigh Ride.

Meet the horses of Outlaw Carriage Company, purveyors of classic horse-drawn transportation for weddings, wagon rides, and sleigh rides, located in Livingston.

How the Outlaw Carriage Horses Inspired Our Sleigh Ride Candle

A few years ago, while scrolling Instagram (as one does 😉), I stumbled upon the most breathtaking team of horses. They belonged to Outlaw Carriage Company, and I was instantly captivated. Their strength, beauty, and old-world charm planted the seed for what would eventually become our Sleigh Ride Candle.

As I was creating the candle, I dreamed of featuring these horses on the label — but I honestly wasn’t sure if that would ever be possible. After some encouragement (and a deep breath), I reached out to Wayne, the owner of Outlaw Carriage Company, and asked if he’d be interested in a photo shoot with our candle and his horses.

To my absolute delight, he graciously agreed.

Seeing a My Western Heart candle photographed alongside the very horses that inspired it was one of those pinch-me moments I’ll never forget.

Wayne with his team of horses and classic red sleigh in Montana — the real-life inspiration behind our Sleigh Ride candle.

Meet the Horses of Outlaw Carriage Company

When Wayne Krzycki and his horses aren’t pulling sleighs or wedding carriages, they’re guiding hunters through Montana’s rugged backcountry.

When building his team in 2013, Wayne knew he needed horses that could do it all — pull carriages and sleighs, yet still be ridden safely on narrow, rugged mountain trails. He chose Percheron crosses, weighing between 1,500 and 1,700 pounds, specifically for their versatility and manageable hoof size.

Today, you’ll meet three of Outlaw Carriage Company’s working horses:

• Willie – A 10-year-old Percheron cross with the sweetest soul. Gentle, kind, and pictured on the right.

  
  Wayne guiding his team of horses through a snowy Montana winter — inspiration for our Sleigh Ride Candle

• Wyatt – Also 10 years old, more stoic and business-minded. The kind of horse who shows up ready to work. Pictured on the left

  
  Wyatt and Beau enjoying a snowy Montana day — two of the horses that inspired our Sleigh Ride Candle.

• Beau – The youngster of the group.A bit of a rug rag, but improving every outing and growing into a fine horse. Pictured on right.
  

(And honestly… don’t we all need a Wyatt on our team?)

A Special Tribute Behind the Sleigh Ride Candle

The horses that inspired our Sleigh Ride Candle are Waylon and Willie. While they are no longer featured on the candle label — as we moved to a more uniform look for our Christmas collection — their presence and spirit remain at the heart of this scent.

Sadly, Waylon passed away a few years ago. Wayne described him as “a horse that would do anything — dependable without hesitation.”

That kind of horse stays with you forever. ❤

Sleigh Ride was created to capture the feeling those horses gave me — quiet winter moments, crisp air, and the timeless magic of a true horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Planning a Montana Wedding or Sleigh Ride Experience?

Outlaw Carriage Company offers:

• Wedding carriage rides

• Wagon rides

• Winter sleigh rides

• Even Valentine’s Day sleigh rides (how romantic is that?!)

To inquire about bookings, you can contact Wayne through Outlaw Carriage Company’s Facebook or Instagram pages.

Bring the Story Home

If you’d like to experience the candle inspired by these incredible horses, our Sleigh Ride candles and wax melts are available in the shop.

This candle continues to be one of our most loved winter scents, and now you know the heart behind it.

I want to sincerely thank Wayne for his time, generosity, and patience in helping bring this story to life. I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting the horses of Outlaw Carriage Company as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you.

As always,
happy, healthy trails,
— Lisa 🤍

Photo Credits: Outlaw Carriage Company