Miniature Pony & Horse Harness Racing

Both standardbred and miniature horses can compete in harness racing.

Harness racing is a type of horseracing in which the horse is raced by a driver who rides behind the horse in a sulky. Harness racing is traditionally done by standardbred horses, although harnessbreds, a breed of miniature horse, are also used for harness racing.

Breed Information

Standardbred horses are descended from thoroughbreds. They are usually slightly shorter, approximately 15 to 16 hands, and more muscular than thoroughbreds. Harnessbreds are a type of miniature horse that are used in harness racing. According to the International Miniature Trotting & Pacing Association: Harnessbred Breeders Affiliation, harnessbreds should be less than 46 inches tall.

Gaits

Horses race in one of two gaits: pacers or trotters. Harness racing was originally done with trotters. In the trotting gait, the horse moves its legs diagonally so the left front and right rear leg will move forward at the same time while the right front and left rear will be moving back. Pacers move both left feet forward while both right feet are going back.

Sulky and Driver

The horse pulls the driver in a cart called a sulky. The sulky has two wheels. Sulkies for miniature horses are smaller and lighter weight, but still suitable for an adult driver.

References

• United States Trotting Association: Standardbred Breed Information
• International Miniature Trotting & Pacing Association
• American Miniature Horse Association: Breed Information
• International Miniature Trotting & Pacing Association: Harnessbred Breeders Affiliation