Horse-drawn sleigh, to be drawn by one horse, wooden and without cushions, assumed to be Scandinavian or Russian, 1830-1870

Before cars became widely available during the 20th century, horse-drawn vehicles were the most common mode of transport. While carriages were used in warmer weather, sleighs were an essential means of transport in the heavy snow of winter. This made them a popular choice in countries with colder climates. This horse-drawn sleigh from the late 19th century is designed to be drawn by one horse and presumed to be from Scandinavia or Russia. In Britain, a country with only little snow, sleighs were sometimes owned by the upper classes to take rides around their estates but never became widely popular.