Governess cart

The centre rear of the body was lowered, or else had a small hinged door, and there was a step beneath.

The purpose of the cart was to be light enough to be drawn by a well-tempered pony or cob, who would be gentle enough, according to the mores of the time, to be handled by a lady.

[citation needed] This gave rise to the cart's name, as they were frequently used by governesses to transport their child charges.

The cart was also relatively safe, being difficult to either fall from, overturn, or to injure oneself with either the horse or wheels.

These were a similar light cart, but their high exposed seats had a poor safety record for passengers, particularly children, falling from them.