Best Breeds for Carriage Driving

The UK's most popular and beloved driving breed. The Welsh Cob combines spectacular, powerful movement with a kind, generous temperament — a rare combination at any price. Powerful hindquarters provide the engine for sustained work, excellent stamina carries them through demanding marathons, and their bold, curious character makes them equally at home in the dressage arena or on a quiet country lane. The Section D is the ideal all-rounder in British driving.

The Hackney was developed specifically for harness work in the eighteenth century and is arguably the purest of all driving breeds. The high-stepping, extravagant action — where knees and hocks are elevated dramatically at each stride — is one of the most spectacular sights in the show ring. Alert, animated and proud, Hackneys are natural performers. Requires an experienced handler and driver but rewards expertise with breathtaking turnout.

Dutch and German Warmbloods have come to dominate international combined driving at the highest level. Their elastic, correct movement produces outstanding dressage scores; their athletic build and jumping ability — traces of their performance horse ancestry — make them naturally agile in hazards. More expensive to buy and keep than native breeds but the clear choice for drivers with international aspirations. The best Warmblood driving lines are now well-established in the UK.

One of Britain's most ancient and tough native breeds, the Fell Pony is extraordinary in harness. Bred for centuries to work across the rough fell country of Cumbria and Westmorland, Fells are hardy, sure-footed and possess an almost supernatural stamina across demanding terrain. Their marathon performances are legendary — they cover difficult ground with an efficiency that many larger breeds cannot match. Typically black, dark brown or grey, they present strikingly well with black harness.

Don't be deceived by their small stature — Shetlands are one of the strongest equines relative to their size in the world. As driving ponies they are popular for junior classes and pairs, where matched pairs of Shetlands make a delightful and eye-catching combination. Feisty, clever and opinionated, they require a confident handler but reward good management with a character that is endlessly entertaining. Junior driving is a particularly popular entry point for children into the sport.

England's oldest native horse breed and one of the most historically significant carriage breeds in the world. Cleveland Bays — always bay with black points — were the carriage horses of choice for the English nobility and are still used in the Royal Mews to this day. Now an endangered rare breed, with the Cleveland Bay Horse Society working hard to preserve them. Elegant, powerful and long-lived, they represent a living connection to Britain's carriage driving heritage.

The beautiful golden chestnut Haflinger with its flaxen mane and tail is increasingly popular in UK driving circles. Developed in the Tyrolean mountains for mountain work, Haflingers are hardy, willing and possess excellent stamina. Their comfortable, active paces and generally sweet temperament make them a pleasure to drive, and their striking appearance turns heads wherever they go. A good choice for pleasure driving and lower-level competition.

The cob is not a breed but a type — defined by its compact, stocky build, short back, substantial bone and characteristically sensible disposition. Good cobs appear across many bloodlines and are arguably the most practical all-round driving horse for the majority of UK pleasure drivers and novice competitors. They are robust, relatively easy to keep, generally kind-natured and unflappable. If your priority is a safe, enjoyable and manageable driving horse rather than competition glory, a good cob is hard to beat.