Sulky: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Lightweight cart used for harness races}} |
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{{For|the adjective|Wiktionary: |
{{For|the adjective|Wiktionary:sulky|}} |
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{{one source|date=October 2009}} |
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{{about|the type of horse cart|the locality in Australia|Sulky, Victoria}} |
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[[File:Big Red on his way to his Fifth Consecutive win in the Roadster To Bike Class at the 2009 Worlds championship Horse Show (3878767170).jpg|thumb|A modern sulky]] |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} |
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[[File:Simoca sulky.jpg|thumb|Sulky and horse in [[Simoca]], the 'sulky capital' of [[Argentina]] ]] |
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A '''sulky''' is a lightweight [[cart]] having two wheels and a seat for the driver only but usually without a body, generally pulled by horses or dogs, and is used for [[Harness racing|harness races]]. The term is also used for a light [[Baby transport#Strollers and pushchairs|stroller]], an arch mounted on wheels or crawler tracks and used in [[logging]], or other types of [[vehicle]] having wheels and usually a seat for the driver, such as a [[plough]], lister or [[cultivator]]. |
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[[File:Hackney Pony (7714709846).jpg|thumb|Horse show sulky for [[Roadster (horse)|roadster classes]] (2012)]] |
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[[File:Boy driving a horse in a sulky (I0056400).tif|thumb|Wooden racing sulky (c. 1895–1910)]] |
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[[File:Animal-drawn grass mower.jpg|thumb|Horse-drawn mower with a "sulky seat"{{r|smith}}]] |
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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.{{r|smith|walrond79}} 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.{{r|carlisle}} 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".{{r|smith}} |
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==Horse sulky== |
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[[Image:Zemaitukai.jpg|thumb|Roadster style sulkies in eastern Europe]] |
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A '''sulky''' for [[horse]]s is a lightweight two-wheeled, single-seat cart that is used as a form of [[rural]] transport in many parts of the world. A special development of this is now used in most forms of [[harness racing]] in [[Argentina]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], the [[United States]] and [[New Zealand]], including both [[Trot (horse gait)|trot]]ting and [[Horse gait|pacing]] races. They are called "sulkies" because the driver must prefer to be alone <ref>"The Encyclopaedia of Driving" 1979, by Sallie Walrond</ref> |
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A horse show vehicle used in [[Roadster (horse)|roadster classes]] is also called a sulky. The drivers dress in [[racing silks]] and show their horses at a fast trot around the showring.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/roadster |title=Roadster |website=United States Equestrian Federation}}</ref> |
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Other uses of the term ''sulky'' include: |
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* the single metal seat found on many horse-drawn agricultural implements such as ploughs, mowers and rakes.{{r|smith}} |
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* 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.{{r|loggingsulky}} |
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== Harness racing == |
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{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2024}} |
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| ⚫ | * Race Bikes are the only style allowed to be used in races or qualifying heats. They are more compact and [[aerodynamic]]s than a jog cart, have smaller seats that reduce weight, but require more athleticism for the driver to sit upon. Shafts may be of [[Carbon fibers|carbon fibre]], aluminum, [[titanium]], [[stainless steel]] or, less often, wood. |
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| ⚫ | * Jog carts, used only for training, are bigger and bulkier than a racing cart. These may sometimes be known as Roadcarts. The shafts may be wood, aluminum, steel or [[stainless steel]]. They have bigger seats which requires less [[athleticism]] to sit upon, and may also seat two. The most modern styles provide full independent [[suspension (mechanics)|suspension]] by hydraulic dampers and progressive rate [[coil spring]]s. These give both a smoother ride and higher speeds than traditional types. They are also lighter. |
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| ⚫ | * Speed carts have a similar design to race bikes in a single seat and [[stirrup]]s for the driver, but have road tires, [[Mudflap|mud flaps]], longer shafts and are heavier than race bikes. Some may have a limited form of suspension built into the seat. These are usually made of steel and are heavier than race bikes but much lighter than jog carts. |
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| ⚫ | When it rains, or the track has excessive moisture, trainers and drivers are required to put plastic [[mud flap]]s on the back of the wheels. All race bikes must comply with the relevant procedures and standards to be approved. Race bikes may not have any component that will directly interfere with another horse or driver. |
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These may also be split into two types: |
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* Dorsal hitch with draft direct from the saddle to the yoke and, via the pole, to the sulky. |
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===Sulkies used in harness racing=== |
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| ⚫ | *Jog |
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| ⚫ | *Race Bikes are the only style allowed to be used in races or qualifying heats. |
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| ⚫ | *Speed |
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| ⚫ | When it rains, or the track has excessive moisture, trainers and drivers are required to put plastic [[mud flap]]s on the back of the wheels. All race bikes must comply with the relevant procedures and standards |
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==Dog sulky== |
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[[Image:Hundewa.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sacco Wagon]] |
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[[File:Goat racing.JPG|thumb|Juniors racing feral goats that are pulling sulkies.]] |
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Smaller sulkies are also used for [[dog]]s, both for racing and as [[transport]]ation. |
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These may also be split into two types: |
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* Conventional two-shaft carts attaching to harness on either side of the dog or dogs. |
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* Dorsal hitch with draft direct from the [[saddle]] to the [[yoke]] and, via the pole, to the sulky. |
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A further distinction may be made between sulkies with the axles rigidly connected to the vehicle, and those with the axles insulated from the vehicle by springs and dampers. Those with springs and dampers may be further divided into single-axle sprung carts and "independent suspension" sprung and damped carts. Needless to say, those with independent suspension by coil springs and dampers tend to be both more expensive and smoother riding. |
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Driving sulky construction materials run the full gamut from timber, through powder-coated steel tube, aluminum tube, and stainless steel tube. The very latest types (currently undergoing field tests in California) use nanotechnology-based stainless steels of prodigious strength-to-weight ratio. |
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* [[Horse-drawn vehicle]] |
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The great majority of driving sulkies available have the wheel axles rigidly affixed to the frames. This makes for a rough ride on anything but smooth surfaces such as pavement. But in recent years lightweight, single shaft, independent suspension, driving sulkies have been introduced. These allow safe high speed use in off-road conditions. |
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<ref name="carlisle">{{cite book |title=The Carriages at Shelburne Museum |first=Lilian Baker |last=Carlisle |year=1956 |publisher=[[Shelburne Museum]] |isbn= |ol=6215577M |page=50}}</ref> |
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The most recent designs are of the single shaft type, as proponents believe that this type gives the dog(s) greater freedom, less possibility of injury, and a quicker and easier training regime. A single shaft dog sulky, made of stainless steel tube and fitted with independent suspension and disc brakes, weighs a little under 18 kg. The highest speed so far recorded in one of these sulkies being 64.8 kilometers per hour (February 22, 2007, Australia). |
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<ref name="loggingsulky">{{Cite web |url=https://www.recoftc.org/sites/default/files/publications/resources/recoftc-0000226-0001-en.pdf |title=Manually operated sulkies |publisher=RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests |year=2015}}</ref> |
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However, as at August 2005, multiple shaft types are still the most common. |
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<ref name="smith">{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Horse Drawn Vehicles |first=D.J.M. |last=Smith |year=1988 |publisher=J. A. Allen & Co. Ltd. |isbn=0851314686 |ol=11597864M |pages=92, 157 |quote=Sulky. Any type of vehicle or farm implement with room on the driving seat for one person only, rather than having a shared or double cross-bench. Said to have been chosen by unsociable people fond of their own company or fits of sulking.}}</ref> |
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For off-road use, dog sulkies with sprung and damped independent suspension systems offer greatly improved comfort and safety over traditional unsprung types. |
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<ref name="walrond79">{{cite book |title=The Encyclopaedia of Driving |first=Sallie |last=Walrond |year=1979 |publisher=Country Life Books |isbn=0600331822 |ol=4175648M |page=259 |quote=Sulky. A low single-seat vehicle which is built of tubular steel and has two small pneumatic-tyred wheels. It is used for trotting and pacing races. Early Sulkies were built with a single seat on a high framework above large wheels. They were so named because of the solitary confinement of the driver.}}</ref> |
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* [[Carriage#Types of horse-drawn carriages|Types of carriages]] |
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}} |
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== External links == |
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* {{Cite web |title=Evolution of the Sulky |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1vavsN9xz8 |date=May 25, 2009 |publisher=PostTimeShow |via=YouTube}} |
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[[Category:Carts]] |
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{{Horse-drawn carriages|state=expanded}} |
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[[Category:Animal-powered vehicles]] |
[[Category:Animal-powered vehicles]] |
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[[Category:Harness racing]] |
[[Category:Harness racing]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:02, 18 September 2024
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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]
Harness racing
[edit] |
There are three types of sulkies used in harness racing.
- Race Bikes are the only style allowed to be used in races or qualifying heats. They are more compact and aerodynamics than a jog cart, have smaller seats that reduce weight, but require more athleticism for the driver to sit upon. Shafts may be of carbon fibre, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel or, less often, wood.
- Jog carts, used only for training, are bigger and bulkier than a racing cart. These may sometimes be known as Roadcarts. The shafts may be wood, aluminum, steel or stainless steel. They have bigger seats which requires less athleticism to sit upon, and may also seat two. The most modern styles provide full independent suspension by hydraulic dampers and progressive rate coil springs. These give both a smoother ride and higher speeds than traditional types. They are also lighter.
- Speed carts have a similar design to race bikes in a single seat and stirrups for the driver, but have road tires, mud flaps, longer shafts and are heavier than race bikes. Some may have a limited form of suspension built into the seat. These are usually made of steel and are heavier than race bikes but much lighter than jog carts.
When it rains, or the track has excessive moisture, trainers and drivers are required to put plastic mud flaps on the back of the wheels. All race bikes must comply with the relevant procedures and standards to be approved. Race bikes may not have any component that will directly interfere with another horse or driver.
Race sulkies come in two categories:
- Traditional symmetrical sulkies
- Asymmetric or "offset" sulkies
An "improved sulky" with pneumatic tires and adjustable height was patented at the United States Patent Office by W.J. Hamill on August 15, 1893. (see Google Patents) The asymmetric sulky was patented in Australia in the 1980s and came to prominence in 1987 when a two-year-old gelding named Rowleyalla used one to break the then world record for his category, at 3.4 seconds under the existing mark.
In 1990 the asymmetric sulky was introduced into North America, winning seven of its first nine starts at Freehold, NJ. Today the great majority of sulky manufacturers in North America are producing asymmetric sulkies.
An additional sulky type is the "team-to-pole" or "pairs" sulky, a lightweight single seat sulky designed for draft by two horses abreast.
These may also be split into two types:
- Traditional pole and yoke with draft by traces.
- Dorsal hitch with draft direct from the saddle to the yoke and, via the pole, to the sulky.
Of the two, the dorsal hitch pairs sulky is the most recent, holding all current world pairs speed records over the mile to July 31, 2005.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Smith, D.J.M. (1988). A Dictionary of Horse Drawn Vehicles. J. A. Allen & Co. Ltd. pp. 92, 157. ISBN 0851314686. OL 11597864M.
Sulky. Any type of vehicle or farm implement with room on the driving seat for one person only, rather than having a shared or double cross-bench. Said to have been chosen by unsociable people fond of their own company or fits of sulking.
- ^ Walrond, Sallie (1979). The Encyclopaedia of Driving. Country Life Books. p. 259. ISBN 0600331822. OL 4175648M.
Sulky. A low single-seat vehicle which is built of tubular steel and has two small pneumatic-tyred wheels. It is used for trotting and pacing races. Early Sulkies were built with a single seat on a high framework above large wheels. They were so named because of the solitary confinement of the driver.
- ^ Carlisle, Lilian Baker (1956). The Carriages at Shelburne Museum. Shelburne Museum. p. 50. OL 6215577M.
- ^ "Roadster". United States Equestrian Federation.
- ^ "Manually operated sulkies" (PDF). RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests. 2015.
External links
[edit]- "Evolution of the Sulky". PostTimeShow. May 25, 2009 – via YouTube.