Executive producers, assistant directors and casting agents working in the Film & TV Industry will be glad to discover the wide range of UK-based firms offering horse and carriage services specifically suited for onscreen appearances. Services are varied and fall under one of three separate product categories.

The first category is all about carriages. Carriage types on offer include fancy Cinderella Carriages for fairytale-themed productions, Royal Carriages for monarchy – centered features (a regular crowd favorite), as well as Victorian Carriages for English history period pieces, literary adaptations and the likes (i.e. Dickens).

The second category is concerned with animal-training personnel. Many horse and carriage firms can get you in touch with qualified personnel who can train horses and ponies to feature in scenes where such an element is required. A handful of higher-level trainers can also be called upon to design more elaborate stunts involving driving horses and driving ponies. An important aspect to bear in mind when choosing your trainer of choice is health & safety. It is crucial that neither the horses nor the actors be harmed during filming.

The third category is horse-related attire and general accessories. These include everything from horse whips and carriage wheels to the suits typically worn by race-horse jockeys. Especially relevant to film & TV set-designers, incorporating such items in a shot can heighten the level of authenticity at a relatively low cost.