From tiny Shetland Ponies to massive Shires, carriage horses come in all shapes and sizes. Because of their incredible strength horses have long found a place alongside humans. You may not think it but the petite Shetland Pony, which can be from 28 inches to 42 inches high, can pull a small carriage. Shetlands are used for driving, riding and for carrying goods. They are intelligent, strong and incredibly cheeky! They can happily harness two-seater vehicles and make ideal carriage horses to learn with as they are nimble and fast.
Welsh Mountain ponies form by far the largest population of carriage horses. This is in part due to the wide range of ponies available in this breed section. From small Section A ponies through to the larger Cobs, the Welsh Mountain is agile and strong making them ideal for driving. The larger Cobs along with Hackney horses are amongst the most popular choices of carriage horses for competitions. They are particularly suited for indoor driving competitions and dressage where drivers and horses perform set test programs to demonstrate obedience, manners and driver’s skill.
The next step up in size sees horse breeds like Lippizaners, Dutch Warm Bloods and Irish Draught cross Thoroughbreds. These horses have the combination of strength, endurance and agility making them ideal for the fast paced world of cross country carriage driving. This is where carriages pulled by teams of horses negotiate a course with obstacles at incredibly high-speeds. It’s fast, fun and can be quite dangerous for driver and grooms.
For pleasure driving and pulling larger carriages, typically used for carriage hire, a popular breed is the stunning black Friesian. These horses have been carefully bred for years to produce a magnificent horse in both composition and nature. Amiable and hard working they have gained popularity not just for carriage driving but also for horse riding. They are popular with carriage companies due to the uniformity making it easy to match pairs of horses for a smooth drive.
In the UK there has been a resurgence in the use of native breeds for carriage driving. This is in part due to the recognition that some species, such as the Shire horse, are now considered to be endangered and a growing number of hire companies recognise this and encourage the use of these breeds. Some companies also have their own breeding programs which can often mean that the horse that you hire may have been bred by the owner. Thankfully, the enduring popularity of heavy horses such as the Suffolk Punch, Cleveland Bay and Shire means that for now they will continue to have a place in our world. By choosing carriage hire with a firm that uses endangered breeds you can be doing your part for the environment and conservation. At the same, these lovely horses will give you a day to remember.