Driving (horse)

In many parts of the world they still pull carts, wagons, horse-drawn boats or logs for basic hauling and transportation.

They may draw carriages at ceremonies, such as when the British monarch is Trooping the Colour, as well as in parades or for tourist rides.

Harness racing is a speed sport at racetracks where horses pull a lightweight one-person two-wheeled cart known as a sulky.

Each team starts by loading the wagon (breaking camp), and then all must race together and cross the finish line.

[2] Combined driving is an internationally recognized FEI competition where horses compete in one, two, and four-horse teams, pulling appropriately designed light carriages or carts.

Teams larger than six are generally limited to situations where large loads must be hauled over difficult ground.

They provide the main braking effort, slowing the vehicle and controlling it downhill by pulling back on the pole or shafts.

Historically, very heavy loads were sometimes controlled downhill by additional pairs hitched behind the vehicle.

In the space of possibly 500 years, there is evidence of horse-drawn chariots in Greece, Egypt, and Mesopotamia.

The Standard of Ur, in ancient Sumer, c. 2500 BC, shows horses or some type of onager or donkey hitched to wheeled carts with a yoke around their necks, in a manner similar to that of oxen.

The invention of the horse collar in China during the 5th century (Southern and Northern Dynasties) allowed horses to pull greater weight than they could when hitched to a vehicle by means of the ox yokes or breast collars used in earlier times.

In addition, many third world nations retain a need for driving horses for basic farm work and transportation.