DictionarysulkyHorse-drawn racing vehicle
noun

sulky

A light two-wheeled vehicle pulled by a horse in races.

The driver guides the horse from a sulky during the race.

Etymology

The one-person carriage was jokingly called a sulky because its solitary occupant could seem withdrawn or unsociable. The name remained in harness racing.

More examples

  • Each horse pulls a lightweight sulky around the track.
  • Before the race, she checks both wheels on her sulky.
  • The sulkies line up behind the starting gate.

Forms

sulky · sulkies

Similar words

cart
A broader term, often for carrying goods rather than racing.
carriage
A broader horse-drawn passenger vehicle, not necessarily built for racing.