Horses have been used throughout history for driving, carrying humans in carriages, carts, wagons, etc but driving horses in the UK today is mainly for pleasure rather than work.

Driving Trials are based on eventing, with three stages to the competition:

• Dressage - which consists of a sequence of set movements.
• Marathon - which consists of driving a cross-country marathon course with natural obstacles such as steep banks, water, etc.
• Obstacle Driving - which consists of driving around a course through narrowly spaced cones.

There are also show classes for horses under harness where the turnout of the horse, harness and driver are judged along with the performance in the show ring.