Motorized vehicles might dominate today’s roads, but thousands of drivers choose single horsepower. They put horse–or pony, mule, or donkey–to cart for recreation and recapture the pleasures of earlier centuries. Clip clopping down a country path, marching in the Rose Parade, or galloping through obstacles–driving challenges horses and owners.

Driving can be an alternative career for a riding horse, or a way to introduce a young animal to training and roadwork. However, it can be a dangerous pursuit for horses and humans. Matching the right animal, cart, harness, and driver contributes to safe driving.

The Stripes Of Driving

Apart from the racetrack and farm, owners drive horses for pleasure or for competition. The pleasure driver usually hitches a single animal to a two-wheeled cart for driving on paths or along roads. Athletic demands are minimal, as the driver usually stays on flat paths or roads