Sulky

Harness racing sulky (2007)
Horse show sulky for roadster classes (2012)
Wooden racing sulky (c. 1895–1910)
Horse-drawn mower with a "sulky seat"[1]

A sulky is a lightweight cart used for harness racing. It has two wheels and a small seat for only a single driver. The modern racing sulky has shafts that extend in a continuous bow behind the driver's seat, with wire-spoked "bike" wheels and inflated tyres.[1][2] A sulky is frequently called a "bike". Historically, sulkies were built for trotting matches and made from wood with very tall wheels and almost no body, just a simple frame supporting a single seat.[3] Such vehicles were called "sulkies" because they were "said to have been chosen by unsociable people fond of their own company or fits of sulking".[1]

A horse show vehicle used in roadster classes is also called a sulky. The drivers dress in racing silks and show their horses at a fast trot around the showring.[4]

Other uses of the term sulky include:

  • the single metal seat found on many horse-drawn agricultural implements such as ploughs, mowers and rakes.[1]
  • the logging arch, a log-transport tool on wheels, is also called a logging sulky and may be towed manually or by horses or tractors.[5]
  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference smith was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference walrond79 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference carlisle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Roadster". United States Equestrian Federation.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference loggingsulky was invoked but never defined (see the help page).