How to Make a Horse Cart

Plan ahead. Decide if you are going to make a miniature horse cart or a full size cart, depending on what size human it needs to carry and what size horse you need to hook the cart to.

Consider whether you need four wheels or two for your project. Two wheeled carts are easier to maneuver, and generally much more preferable.

Find a good supplier who can sell you quality parts for a decent price. Generally, ready made horse carts cost between three to five hundred dollars, so your DIY cart should cost less than that. Many people use Amish dealers for this, while others use local lumber supply stores.

Take measurements of your horse. These will determine the measurements of your horse cart.

Construct the seat of your cart. The wood needs to be light but durable and able to sustain weight. Cut the wood, or buy pre-cut wood that is at least four feet wide for two people.

Cover the seat of your cart with a material that is easy to clean and comfortable to sit on, such as vinyl. You might want to put a seat of foam under the vinyl for comfort.

Cut a piece of wood that is as wide as the seat of the cart. The height for this piece is important, because it will be the back of the seat of the cart. It should measure in inches the height from your buttocks to your shoulders.

Attach the bottom of the seat to the back of the seat. You will also need to attach metal bracings to the bottom of the seat and to the back of the seat, so that you can attach it to the main horse cart itself.

Construct the body of your cart, or the frame, out of aluminum or angle iron, depending upon your wielding capabilities. Your frame should be a simple rectangle shape as wide as your seat, with places to attach the seat, a floor board, and the axles for the wheels.

Cut out a piece of light weight wood, such as plywood, that is as wide as the cart. This will serve as your foot board.

Mount the frame to the seat, the floor board, and the axles.

Mount the tires to the axles. These tires should be made of rubber and have spokes.

Cover the frame, seating area and floor board with a weather-proof enamel to make the cart last longer.

Construct your staves, or the part of the cart that will connect the frame to the horse. To do this, you must have two round and smooth tubes that run parallel to the ground at the same height as the horse's stomach.

Wield eye bolts or rings to the staves so that you can attach it to the harness of the horse.