Do horse carriages need a differential?

No, they don't. A differential is only needed to transmit power to two wheels on an axle that may be turning at different rates. A horse carriage doesn't transmit any power through the wheels, so they can each turn independently with their own bearings on a fixed axle, the same as on the unpowered axles of automobiles. read more

A horse carriage doesn’t transmit any power through the wheels, so they can each turn independently with their own bearings on a fixed axle, the same as on the unpowered axles of automobiles. The power to move a carriage is transmitted from the horses’ hooves, through the harness, and into the carriage chassis. read more

Depends on the treatment of the horses. Many carriage horses are treated fairly, if not incredibly well. They’re fed well and are kept extremely fit. The horses that are used for carriages tend to be breeds that have been using for hauling things for centuries, so they’re big boned and strong. read more