Editor's note: In the January/February issue, we discussed how the buggy is a simple, yet practical method of transportation for the Amish. In this issue, we will compare the operation of the horse and buggy versus the automobiles of the "English."

If fuel prices in 2007 are anything like they've been the past few years, then they're on the verge of another upward trend that could easily top $3 a gallon and set new highs.

The Energy Information Administration's Web site shows United States gasoline prices in 2005 and 2006 began upward trends in January that peaked in late summer and dropped off again by December.

It's the trend of ups and downs that has many consumers seeking creative ways to save. For the literate, it's turning to telltale titles like "Easy Ways to Save Gas and Save Money" and "365 Ways to Save Gas." For the experimental, it's burning alternative fuels like diesel, ethanol and even vegetable oil. For the energetic, it's hopping on a bike or simply walking.

But one option still begging to be considered, at least locally, is horse power -- Standardbred horse power. With many horse enthusiasts and one of the strongest Amish populations in the country, Wayne and Holmes counties are no strangers to transportation by horse.

But is hoofing it really less expensive -- and is trading in the Porsche for a horse practical? In a recent, unofficial study, data was compiled from several businesses and individuals to see how a standard-size car, SUV and horse all match up. Models used were the Chevrolet Impala and Tahoe, and the American Standardbred horse.

Purchase

While the purchase price of the Chevy Impala LS ($21,445) and Tahoe LS ($34,190) are considerably more than the highest price paid for most Standardbred horses ($5,000-$6,000), one option the cars can't match, said horse-owner Roman Yoder, is the ability to reproduce.

"Can you breed a car?" asked Yoder, owner of Yoder Plumbing and Supply near Millersburg. "When you can get those cars to reproduce, then we'll think about getting one."

Yoder said he owns his mares, which usually replenish his horse needs without having to purchase them. But aside from the horse, there's also the cost of tack supplies and a buggy. Yoder said a buggy can run from $1,600 for one without brakes and lights to about $3,500 for a "fancy" one.

"If you really want to get fancy, you can get up to about $3,500," he said.

But like the price of automobiles, the price for a buggy also goes up, said another Amish man, who didn't want to give his name.

"They're going up too, just like anything else," he said.

Performance

Every 3,000 miles, most cars are due for an oil change. It's a cost Kirk Spurgeon of Red Ferris Chevrolet said runs $20 each time. But horses need their own service, as they must be fed, watered and rested daily. Yoder said he avoids working his horse longer than 3 1/2 hours without breaking, and makes sure he gives it plenty of time to eat and drink.

Perhaps the horse's greatest advantage is he requires no gas to run. The Impala has an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,563, based on an average price of $2.29 per gallon at 15,000 miles driven annually. The estimated annual fuel cost for the Tahoe is $2,020, also based on 15,000 annual miles at $2.29 per gallon. The horse, with hay, grass and oats, can be kept yearly for less than $1,000.

The information about the annual costs for the Chevrolets was posted at http://www.fueleconomy.govas of mid-December 2006.

The Impala, which can do 0-60 in 7.4 seconds, is considerably faster than any horse, even the horse Barbaro, which this year won the Kentucky Derby in just over two minutes.

But horses can be fast, too, Yoder said.

"My brother passed a truck going down the hill. The truck was going 35 mph and my brother passed him," Yoder said.

He said average horse speed is 6-7 mph. An Amish man not wanting to be named said horses typically balance their speeds between spurts of running and walking to help maintain energy throughout the trip.

For space, unless the buggy is large, the number of passengers can be limited. Spurgeon said socially, the horse, or the horse and buggy, has its limits.

"It'd sure cramp their style on dates," Spurgeon said. "(It's) probably not too good for taking family outings."

Spurgeon estimated a new Impala or Tahoe to last at least 10 years, but a horse, said Yoder, can last up to 25. While a car engine might blow up, the horse, said an Amish woman, can die.

"A horse can get sick and die, and then you have to go buy a new one," she said.

Pollutants

Although new vehicles are increasingly equipped with environmentally safer exhausts, they still do not match the horse, whose exhaust is returned to the soil.

"You've also gotta figure what goes into cars goes up in the air and pollutes, and what goes in the horse comes back to the ground," Yoder said.

That may be a tough factor for the car to beat -- or maybe not.

"But you can't step in what comes out of a car," Spurgeon pointed out.

Practicality

While the price to purchase and maintain a horse may be considerably less, the question remains, is it practical? While Yoder estimates some Amish travel as many as 10 miles to work with their horses, many people travel much farther. Also, hot spells that send temperatures rising into the 90s make driving with air-conditioning more appealing than driving in a black, slow-moving buggy.

Spurgeon cautions anyone considering a switch from car to horse.

"It'll be a contest for which is sweatier, you or the horse," he said.

As for the contest of which is cheaper transportation, this study shows it's the horse. As for practicality ...

Category ----- Tahoe ----- Impala ----- Standardbred

Purchase price ----- $34,190 ----- $21,445 ----- $9,000 (w/ buggy)

Life in years ----- 10 ----- 10 ----- 25

Cost per year ----- $3,419 ----- $2,145 ----- $360

Equipment cost per year

Tires ----- $100 ----- $40 ----- 0

Shoes and hoof care ----- 0 ----- 0 ----- $135

Maintenance

Oil change ----- $85 ----- $85 ----- 0

Vet expenses ----- 0 ----- 0 ----- $75

Fuel costs per year

Gasoline* ----- $2,681 ----- $2,075 ----- 0

Feed ----- 0 ----- 0 ----- $1,000

Total costs per year ----- $6,285 ----- $4,345 ----- $1,570

Miles traveled per year ----- 15,000 ----- 15,000 ----- 3,650

Cost per mile* ----- $0.42 ----- $0.29 ----- $0.43

*Annual fuel costs estimates of http://www.fueleconomy.govare based on 45% highway driving, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles and $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded.

**Based on 15,000 miles per year for vehicles, 3,650 miles per year for the horse.