Carousels are not considered "thrill machines". Yet, carousels are as reliant on the laws of motion as their more exciting cousins, the roller coasters.

How do you tell the lead horse on a carousel?
According to carousel legend, the lead horse of any carousel is always the biggest, most decorative horse. In many instances, this horse is a military or war horse. If a chariot is included in the carousel, the first horse right behind the chariot on the outside is the lead horse.

Are some horses moving faster than others?
The carousel is a delicate balance of motion and forces. All of the horses move through one complete revolution in the same amount of time. The horses on the outside of the carousel have to cover more distance than the inside horses in this of time. This means the horses on the outside have a faster linear speed than those at the hub.