How to Build a Horse Chariot
- 1). Stand the rain barrel upright and cut off the top of the barrel with the electric saw. The barrel will form the "cockpit" of the chariot, so you want to make sure the sides of your cockpit are between 3 1/2 and 4 feet high. Use the measuring tape to be sure of the height before you cut off the top of the barrel. Cut the barrel without its top in half from the top of the barrel to the bottom. You should now have two half-barrels that could be used as cockpits.
- 2). Examine the two halves of the rain barrel to determine which half is stronger. This half will be the cockpit of your chariot. Reinforce the cockpit using wood glue and brackets. You will likely have to add the brackets along the interior of the cockpit where the side meets the bottom for added stability. Reinforce the cut edges of the cockpit, including the top edge of the side and the rear edge of the bottom. These areas are prone to weakening because they have been cut. A few screws and some wood glue can be used effectively here. Allow the wood glue to dry according to the manufacturer's directions before you continue constructing your chariot. If you're uncertain how long the glue takes to dry, allow the cockpit to sit overnight before proceeding.
- 3). Turn the cockpit over so you have access to the underside. Use bolts to secure the axle to the bottom of the chariot. Examine the axle to determine how many bolts should be used. There should be pre-drilled holes to indicate where the bolts should be installed, so use these to install the bolts. Do not drill additional holes unless there are no holes to accommodate the bolts. In this case, you will have to drill three to five holes to affix the axle into place. Use the measuring tape to center the axle as precisely as possible. Ideally, the axle should be just longer than the cockpit is wide. This will allow the wheels to ride close to the cockpit, but not actually touch it.
- 4). Attach the wooden wheels, which should be between 2 to 3 feet in diameter, to the axle. Instructions on how to do this are usually included when you purchase the wheels, so follow these carefully. Attaching the wheels is a relatively easy process with most axle and wheel assemblies. Slip the hole in the center of the wheel onto the pole at the end of the axle and screw the cap into place over the pole to hold the wheel securely. Tighten the cap to ensure the wheels do not come loose when the chariot is in motion. Stand the chariot on its wheels once they're attached.
- 5). Attach the poles to the front of the chariot using sturdy bolts. The poles should not move once attached, so use two or three bolts secured directly to the cockpit. When the chariot is in use the poles should run parallel to the ground and hit the horse around its stomach, so keep this in mind when attaching them. Secure the metal rings to the poles. These will allow you to fasten the harness to the poles. How many rings you need will be determined by the type of harness you are using, but two rings is usually sufficient. Check the harness you've purchased to know how many rings should be used and their exact placement. You may wish to place the harness on the horse and back the horse into place to be sure the rings are in the right spot.
- 6). Sand the wood lightly with a sandpaper of your choosing. Cover all visible wood with the enamel to help protect it from the weather. Allow the enamel to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. This will likely take several hours, but some enamels need longer to dry.
- 7). Put the harness on your horse and back the horse between the poles of the chariot as the chariot is at rest. Lift the poles slowly into place and secure the harness to the rings on both sides. Your horse chariot is now ready for use.
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