Instructions for Building a Horse Cart

Horses have been used to pull carts and wagons for thousands of years. Today, many people like the idea of having their horse pull them around in a small cart. However, purchasing these carts can be expensive. A light, two-wheeled cart for two passengers can be made at home and pulled by a single horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Lightweight wood, 1 inch thick
  • Electric saw
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Brackets
  • Screws
  • Electric drill
  • Vinyl
  • Seat foam
  • Staple gun
  • Welder
  • Metal tubing
  • Hacksaw
  • Metal braces
  • Electric drill
  • Bolts
  • 2 metal A-frames
  • Axels
  • Wheels
  • Long wooden poles, 3 inches wide and slightly longer than your horse
  • Large metal rings
  • Weatherproof enamel
  • Harness
  • Reins (if not attached to the harness)
  • Horse
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build a 4-foot long seat by cutting a piece of wood to 4-by-2 feet for the base. Cut another identical piece for the back of the seat. Fasten the back to the base using hammer and nails. Add stability to the seat using brackets and screws. Install the seat foam after cutting it to size and cover with vinyl. Use a staple gun to secure the vinyl in place.

    • 2

      Cut four pieces of metal tubing with the hacksaw and weld them together to form a rectangle or square. The size is based upon the desired size of your cart, but in general a square that is 4-by-4 feet is sufficient. If you hope to have room to carry some items, you might want a rectangle 4-by-6 feet. Add metal braces to the corners of the frame for additional support. You will attach all pieces of the cart to this frame.

    • 3

      Cut floor boards to cover the frame of your cart. These boards should be 1-by-4 feet. Drill pilot holes in the boards in in your frame and bolt the floor boards into place. Make sure the entire floor of your cart is covered by these boards.

    • 4

      Use the A-frames to mount the seat to the frame of the cart. Bolt the seat firmly in place, drilling pilot holes in the wood and metal tubing to make this easier. The A-frames should mount through the floor boards.There should be one A-frame at either end of the seat. The seat should feel secure. If it feels a little wobbly, get a third A-frame to support the center of the seat. This frame will be bolted through the floor boards. You may have to temporarily pull up some of the seat foam and vinyl to properly bolt the seat to the frame.

    • 5

      Turn the cart over, being careful not to damage the seat. Weld and bolt the axel to the frame. the wheels attach to the axel.

    • 6

      Bolt and nail the long poles to the front of the cart frame. The poles should run parallel to the ground. Secure the large metal rings to the poles so that you have somewhere to attach the harness using bolts. How many rings you use will depend on the harness you've selected. Check the harness itself to discover how many rings you will need. When finished, the poles should hit the horse at about stomach height.

    • 7

      Cover all exposed wood in weatherproof enamel. This will help protect the wood from the elements and increase the lifespan of your cart. Allow the enamel to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

    • 8

      Place the harness on your horse and attach the reins if necessary. Back the horse between the two poles of the cart. Lift the poles and secure the harness to the cart poles. Your horse cart is now ready to use.