The Skeleton Break gets its name from its design, which is essentially the "skeleton" of a coach. Also known as a Dealer's Break, it was used to train pairs and teams of horses to drive. It was commonly used among companies, dealers and other large establishments that used a great number of horses for commercial use.

The Skeleton Break is comprised of an undercarriage with a high seat for the whip or trainee driver, and a platform running immediately behind the seat, which is where the instructor stood. In the event of trouble, the instructor could quickly jump off the break and grab hold of the horses.

William Goadby Loew originally owned the Skeleton Break on display in the Winmill Carriage Collection. In addition to the basic design, a second seat was added to accommodate Mr. Lowe's groom, who was quite elderly and could not stand on the platform for long periods of time.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Walrond, Sallie. The Encyclopaedia of Carriage Driving, 1988.
Walrond, Sallie. Looking at Carriages, 1980.
"A little bit about light horse-drawn vehicles." Kopitzke, Kenneth, Prairie Primer.