Carts & Gigs
Carts are two or four wheeled vehicles used to carry passengers and/or goods. Light carts may be pulled with horses, ponies, donkeys, goats or dogs. Heavier carts are pulled with draft horses or oxen. The shafts or tongue on a two wheeled cart are permanently attached to the vehicle, requiring the passengers and goods be balanced over the axle. The cart is held level by the animal. A four wheeled cart remains level on its own, the shafts or tongue are attached at an angle from the axle via the 5th wheel.
A gig, also called a chaise, is a two wheeled vehicle with springs which differs from a cart because the drivers seat is higher than the shafts or tongue. Gigs are typically more formal than a village cart or meadowbrook. Light gigs are used for racing. Examples of gigs include but are not limited to the Stanhope, Tilbury, Cabriolet and Curricle.
