A
coach is originally a large, usually closed, four-wheeled
carriage with two or more horses harnessed as a
team, controlled by a
coachman and/or one or more
postilions. It had doors in the sides, with generally a front and a back seat inside and, for the driver, a small, usually elevated seat in front called a
box, box seat or
coach box. The term "coach" first came into use in the 15th century, and spread across Europe. There are a number of types of coaches, with differentiations based on use, location and size. Special breeds of horses, such as the now-extinct
Yorkshire Coach Horse, were developed to pull the vehicles.