The 15 Best Horse Breeds To Use For Driving

Horses have long been bred for various equestrian disciplines, to perform difficult tasks, and take on practical jobs. Each breed’s unique conformation, temperament, and abilities/bloodlines help them excel at different things – whether that’s calmly carrying passengers in a carriage on busy city streets, flying around the course in a harness race, or competing as part of a combined driving team. No matter what horse breed you decide to use for driving, the best ones all share a few common traits – they’re strong, willing, and bold.

What Kind of Horses Pull Carriages?

You can use any horse breed for driving, but they don’t all excel at it. Some are better suited for disciplines like dressage, show jumping, or other events. The kinds of horses commonly seen in harness racing, combined driving, or carriage pleasure driving are:

• Gaited horses
• Draft horses
• Ponies
• Ex-racehorses

Gaited horses are known for their beauty, brawn, and special gaits, while draft horses lean on their strength to carry heavy carriages around a course quickly. On the other hand, ponies are a popular choice for junior riders who want to haul smaller carts for either show or pleasure. Lastly, ex-racehorses, known for their speed, make excellent driving horses because of this. Now, let’s get into the specific breeds that have proven themselves as formidable competitors in this unique equestrian event.

1. Standardbred

The best, most common horse breed used for driving currently is the Standardbred. They are bred to not just compete in harness races and combined driving, but to win. Athletic, intelligent, and easy to train, it’s easy to see why Standardbreds are a popular choice to use for driving competitions.

2. Morgan

The Morgan is a well-mannered, athletic, and fun-to-ride horse often used for harness racing and carriage pleasure driving. They are extremely willing to please and quite intelligent, which makes them one of the best breeds to use for driving competitions if you want to win.

3. French Trotter

There are some driving events judged on overall impression, performance, way of going, manners, neatness, and correctness of turnout. Others score based on speed and, in that type of competition, you want a French Trotter on your team! The French Trotters’ “fast trot” makes them sought-after as a driving breed in the events where the first one to the finish line wins.

4. Tennessee Walking Horse

Another one of the best breeds to use for pleasure driving is the Tennessee Walking Horse. As a gaited breed, they are fun to watch and a thrill pulling your carriage.

5. Hackney

The Hackney is the best horse breed to use for pleasure driving. Their presence as a performer makes them a popular pick for the sport. They also have a fantastic demeanor, are easy keepers, and are fun to ride in almost any discipline.

6. Haflinger

Haflingers are a common choice to use for driving because these horses have both the build and calm nature needed for the sport. As a bonus, the Haflinger is a versatile breed with the talent to excel across many disciplines. You can’t go wrong with a Haflinger!

7. Shetland Pony

It might surprise you to know that the Shetland Pony is one of the best horse breeds to use for driving. They are strong enough to carry two adults in a cart or one junior rider across the finish line. This breed is spunky, spirited, and ready to win.

8. Welsh Cob

If you want the best horse breed to use for combined driving or harness racing, you want the Welsh Cob. This horse is a strong competitor with a friendly nature. Welsh Cobs are often seen in the winner’s circle, and for good reason.

9. Clydesdale

One of the most famous, and arguably the best, horse breeds to use for driving is the Clydesdale. You see them in advertisements for Budweiser and pulling carriages, wagons, and sleighs. They are prized for their strength, intelligence, and docile nature around the world.

10. Belgian Draft

Another horse you might see pulling a carriage or sleigh? A Belgian Draft. They also pull heavy farm equipment or drive a plow. Like other draft breeds, they are powerful yet level-headed, which makes them a popular horse to use for driving.

11. Percheron

The Percheron has long been one of the best horse breeds to use for driving, which is why they are so popular even today. Their versatile nature means that no discipline is off-limits. However, as a draft breed, this horse excels in driving competitions due to its strength, willing nature, and proud presence in the ring.

12. Friesian

The Friesian is another horse, like the Standardbred, used primarily for driving and harness racing. Whether pleasure or carriage driving, this horse is a standout favorite due to its movements and speed.

13. Cleveland Bay

The Cleveland Bay is a quintessential driving breed known for being bold, honest, and with good forward movement. They have a hardy build coupled with the athleticism needed for the sport. Out of all of the horse breeds to use for driving, this is one of the best.

14. Gypsy Vanner

If you want a great pleasure driving horse, the Gypsy Vanner is for you. Kind, willing, and easy to train, this draft breed also excels in the show ring as a combined driving team. This is partly due to the traits mentioned and partly due to their flashy appearance.

15. Thoroughbred

In driving events where speed is required, there’s no better horse breed to use than a Thoroughbred. It’s more common to see ex-racehorses compete in harness racing or driving events than it used to be. People are figuring out that Thoroughbreds are powerful competitors as individuals and as part of a team.