Breaking Cart, circa 1890

Summary

Drivers used breaking carts to train and exercise horses. It took great skill to prepare a horse to accept the weight of a vehicle, get used to the noise of the moving carriage, learn to pull in harness with other horses, and respond to the driver's commands. This cart was used to train horses owned by railroad mogul Leland Stanford.

Drivers used breaking carts to train and exercise horses. It took great skill to prepare a horse to accept the weight of a vehicle, get used to the noise of the moving carriage, learn to pull in harness with other horses, and respond to the driver's commands. This cart was used to train horses owned by railroad mogul Leland Stanford.

Artifact

Cart

Date Made

circa 1890

Place of Creation

United States 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

36.520.76

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Paint (Coating)
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Black (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 56 in

Width: 65.5 in

Length: 143 in

Diameter: 51 in  (Wheel Diameter)

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