10 Best Driving Horse Breeds for Pulling a Carriage By Katherine Blocksdorf Katherine Blocksdorf Kathy Blocksdorf is an equine expert and writer with over three decades of experience in training and riding horses. She was raised caring for horses, rehabilitated rescue horses, shows her own horses, and rides long distance. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 09/17/25 Reviewed by Marla Fischl Credit: Dennis Stacey / Getty Images Certain horse breeds have been developed specifically for driving, such as pulling carriages, wagons, and sleighs. These horses tend to be light, quick, and agile. Light draft horses differ from larger draft horses, which are used for pulling heavy plows or carts. Breed Characteristics Driving horses often feature powerful shoulders and hindquarters, along with a strong, broad back, well-sprung ribs, and thick manes and tails. They require stable, reliable feet and should possess an amiable temperament, with a willingness to please their drivers. These horses are easily trained to learn voice, rein, and whip commands. Both ponies and horses can be suitable for driving. Tip Before developing a team of driving horses, ensure you are proficient with a single horse. When forming a team, match their speeds and gaits, and ensure the horses get along with each other. Here are 10 horse breeds that are commonly used for pulling carriages and other light vehicles. 01 of 10 American Standardbred Standardbred racing horses on track. Credit: Barrett & MacKay / Getty Images The American standardbred is a popular driving horse breed used in both harness racing and pleasure driving. These horses have excellent speed and stamina and are typically friendly and calm. They are already accustomed to the harness and pulling a vehicle, making former racing standardbreds easily retrainable for pleasure driving. Breed Overview Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 800 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Thick mane and tail; muscular legs; deep chest; somewhat resembles a thoroughbred 02 of 10 Welsh Pony and Cob Section D Welsh pony hitched to vehicle. Credit: MBurger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Whether you have a 3-foot-tall “type A” Welsh pony (the smallest size category) pulling a tiny cart or a larger cob pulling a two-seater buggy, these animals make excellent harness horses. They're generally hardy and easy to maintain. Larger members of this breed are also comfortable being ridden with a saddle. Breed Overview Height: 11 hands (44 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 400 to 1,200 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Small head; short back; high-set tail 03 of 10 Hackney Credit: Johner Images / Getty Images With their high-stepping gait and elegant head carriage, it's surprising that Hackneys are endangered in some countries. Initially bred for riding, Hackneys were crossed with driving breeds and Thoroughbreds for added speed and style. In their heyday, Hackneys were valued much like exotic sports cars today. Breed Overview Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches)Weight: 1,000 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Muscular build; broad chest; high-set tail 04 of 10 Cleveland Bay Cleveland Bay Horse. Credit: Bob Langrish / Getty Images Originating in England, the Cleveland bay is a light draft horse suitable for both driving and riding. It was primarily used for farm work and pulling carriages. Members of the royal family have utilized this breed for competitive driving. However, its population is declining as its role in daily life diminishes. Breed Overview Height: 16 hands (64 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 1,400 to 1,500 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Bay coat with no white markings except an occasional star on the head; muscular build; deep chest Continue to 5 of 10 below 05 of 10 Thoroughbred Chuck wagon race horses. Credit: Deanna Quinton Larson / Getty Images Known for their racing speed, Thoroughbreds are also used in pleasure and competitive driving, particularly for events requiring swiftness. However, a former racehorse will need extensive retraining by an experienced equestrian for pleasure riding or driving, and its temperament might not always be suitable for the role. Breed Overview Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 1,000 to 1,300 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Deep chest; lean body; long, flat muscles 06 of 10 Friesian Friesian horse and carriage. Credit: Frans Lemmens / Getty Images The Friesian is a Dutch horse from Friesland, a region in the Netherlands. This European breed traces its lineage to warhorses from the Middle Ages that carried armored knights. Comfortable being ridden or driven, Friesians have a showy, high-stepping gait and powerful, elegant carriage. Breed Overview Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 1,200 to 1,400 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Black coat, which may be gradations of true black; the only white marking permitted in a studbook registered horse is a small star; thick, long mane and tail; feathering on lower legs; muscular, compact body 07 of 10 Morgan Credit: dcdebs / Getty Images As Vermont's official horse breed, the Morgan is a light workhorse that gained popularity in colonial New England in the late 1700s. An all-purpose horse, Morgans can plow fields, be ridden during hunts, and pull family buggies. They are ideal beginner horses and great family horses under saddle and in harness. Breed Overview Height: 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches)Weight: 900 to 1,100 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Smooth lines; small ears; expressive eyes; crested neck 08 of 10 French Trotter Credit: Kili77 / Wikimedia Commons/ CC By 3.0 The athletic French trotter was developed in the 19th century for trotting races. It is a mix of several breeds that contribute speed, power, and balanced strides. In 1937, the French Trotter Studbook was closed to horses not bred in France. French trotters tend to be calm, gentle, and easy to work with, and they are popular for racing under saddle and in harness. Breed Overview Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 1,100 to 1,400 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Muscular build; large head; deep chest Continue to 9 of 10 below 09 of 10 Orlov Trotter Credit: Photographs by Maria itina / Getty Images As one of Russia’s most popular horse breeds, the Orlov trotter originated in the 18th century as a hardy harness horse with speed and stamina, featuring a hereditary fast trot. These horses are generally powerful, agile, gentle, and trainable, and they are often used in harness racing and pulling carriages. Breed Overview Height: 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands (68 inches)Weight: 1,000 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Large head; expressive eyes; deep chest; muscular build 10 of 10 Shetland Pony Credit: Carina Maiwald / Getty Images The Shetland pony originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. Despite their small size, Shetland ponies are powerful and hardy. This breed pulled carts and worked in mines throughout the 19th century. They also became popular as driving ponies and companions for children. Generally very gentle, they can occasionally be headstrong. Breed Overview Height: 7 hands (28 inches) to 11.5 hands (46 inches)Weight: 400 to 450 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Compact body; broad head; thick neck; short legs; lush mane and tail Breeds to Avoid Draft horses have the body structure and calm temperament best suited for pulling, hauling, or driving carriages. Breeds that are not ideal for carriage driving include those primarily suited for riding or racing. Hot-blooded horses or racehorses like the Akhal-Teke and Arabians tend to be more nervous and energetic than horses more suitable for driving. They need to be able to work well alongside other horses. 10 Most Popular Horse Breeds and Types of Horses FAQ What is the difference between light draft horses and large draft horses? Light draft horses, like those mentioned in the article, are relatively light, quick, and agile, making them suitable for pulling carriages and other light vehicles. In contrast, large draft horses are typically used for pulling heavy plows or carts. Can former racehorses be trained for driving purposes? Yes, but they often require extensive retraining by an experienced equestrian. While former racing standardbreds can be retrained for pleasure driving, former thoroughbreds might need extra care to ensure their temperament is suitable for driving. Explore more: Horses Horse Breeds