Built, tested and documented from a real prototype

Build your own life-size mechanical riding horse.

Create an extraordinary moving wooden horse that cannot simply be bought as a finished product. The complete illustrated guide turns almost two years of development into a clear, buildable project.

View the complete guide Could I build this?

Digital step-by-step construction guide · Available worldwide through Etsy

127: illustrated pages
30–50 h: typical build time
1: working prototype

Life-size mechanical riding horse built from wood

The invention work is done. You can focus on the rewarding part: building it.

Based on a built and tested prototype

Exact materials list and sourcing guidance

No welding or custom electronics required

A project unlike the usual

Build something people have never seen before.

This is not another decorative wooden horse and not an off-the-shelf simulator. It is a life-size mechanical build with a smooth riding movement—designed to create wonder, pride and unforgettable memories.

Truly unusual

A full-size moving wooden horse is not an ordinary weekend build—and that is exactly what makes it memorable.

Made for joy

It can become a remarkable gift, a shared family project and a source of excitement long after the final screw is fitted.

Built by you

You are not buying a mass-produced object. You are creating something personal that carries the story of how it was made.

Finished horse head and hand-braided mane

Why the guide exists

The build began as a personal idea. The documentation became a project of its own.

I originally built the horse for my daughter. Getting the movement right required repeated design changes, testing and refinement. When people around the world began asking how it worked, I turned the complete process into a detailed guide.

The result is not a few sketches. It is the construction knowledge behind the real prototype—organised so another capable DIY builder does not have to solve the same problems from the beginning.

Built by hands. Made for memories.

The finished horse is special because it moves. It becomes unforgettable because somebody built it for someone they care about.

Could you build it?

A serious project—made far more achievable by a complete plan.

This is best suited to a technically capable adult with basic woodworking experience. It is not a one-day beginner craft, but you are following an established design rather than developing one yourself.

A good fit if...

You have completed a few DIY or woodworking projects
You can measure, cut and drill accurately
You are comfortable with common power tools
You enjoy careful, substantial projects

What you do not need

No engineering degree
No welding
No custom electronics
No need to invent the mechanism

Read the full “Could I build this?” guide

The principle

Clever mechanics built from understandable parts.

The movement is unusual, but the components are not mysterious. Most can be sourced locally or ordered online. The guide explains the exact specifications without requiring you to design the drive system yourself.

Close detail of the drill and gearbox installation

A regular corded drill

A compact drill provides the power. The exact requirements are explained in the guide.

A worm gearbox

The gearbox reduces speed and provides the controlled torque needed for the movement.

A coordinated mechanism

Shafts, bearings, flat steel and cables convert rotation into the horse's riding motion.

Adjustable speed

The same coordinated movement can be run slowly or faster using a speed controller.

One complete document

Everything you need to understand and build the project—clearly organised.

You receive digital construction documentation, not a physical kit. The guide brings the dimensions, templates, component information, build sequence and practical notes together in one place.

View the complete guide

127-page illustrated digital construction guide

Step-by-step instructions from the first cut to commissioning

Full-size printable templates

Complete materials and shopping list

Exact component specifications

Supplier examples and useful search terms

Cutting lists and dimensioned drawings

Detailed mechanism assembly

Reference photographs, maintenance and troubleshooting

A construction detail from the real prototype

Wood and ordinary workshop components used for the project

Materials and sourcing

Mostly familiar materials, plus a small number of clearly specified mechanical components.

The build uses wood, flat steel, shafts, bearings, screws, fasteners, cable and common workshop supplies. The main powered components are a suitable regular drill and a worm gearbox, both of which can normally be sourced online.

Approximately €500 in total

This is a realistic estimate for the complete material cost, although local prices, shipping and your choice of timber or finish can move the total up or down.

The guide provides exact specifications and useful search terms, so you know which parts matter and what compatible alternatives must achieve.

More than a woodworking project

Imagine the moment they see it move for the first time.

The value of this build is not measured only in timber and hardware. It is in the anticipation, the shared weekends, the pride of finishing it and the expression on the rider's face.

Whether it becomes a Christmas surprise, a birthday project or something a parent or grandparent builds together with a child, it has the potential to become part of the family's story.

Finished mechanical riding horse ready to create memories

Support from the creator

The first builders do not have to feel alone.

Early builders may contact me by email with genuine questions during their project. I want the first independent builds to succeed—and I would love to follow their progress.

Start with the guide

FAQ

Clear answers before you begin.

The project is extraordinary, but the decision should still be informed. These are the questions people ask most often.

Do you sell or ship finished horses?

No. I offer the digital construction guide only. No finished horse, physical materials, tools, tack or DIY kit are supplied. The legal and liability requirements for selling completed mechanical horses are too extensive for me as a private creator.

How difficult is the project?

It is an intermediate to advanced DIY project for technically capable adults. Basic woodworking experience, accurate work and familiarity with common power tools are recommended. You do not need welding, custom electronics or engineering knowledge.

How long does the build take?

Approximately 30–50 hours is a realistic estimate when working from the completed guide. The almost two-year timeframe refers to developing, testing, refining and documenting the original prototype—not simply building from the finished plans.

How much do the materials cost?

The realistic total material cost is approximately €500. The final amount can vary by country, suppliers, shipping, timber choice and finish, but €500 is intended as an estimate for the complete build rather than a starting price.

Can I find the parts in my country?

Almost everything consists of standard wood, flat steel and common hardware available locally. The main components most builders order online are a suitable regular drill and a worm gearbox. The guide gives the exact specifications and useful search terms.

Does it have different gaits?

The horse uses one coordinated riding motion. The movement pattern remains the same, while its speed can be adjusted continuously from slow to faster using a speed controller.

How realistic does it feel?

It does not reproduce every movement of a real horse, but the coordinated motion creates a surprisingly smooth and convincing riding rhythm. It is a unique mechanical experience, not a replacement for riding a real horse.

How much weight has it carried?

The prototype has been tested with a rider weighing approximately 70 kg without problems. This is a report of the prototype test, not a certified load rating or guarantee for individually built versions.

Can the guide be purchased worldwide?

Yes. It is a digital download available through Etsy. Etsy displays the local price and handles the purchase according to the buyer's country.

Is it a toy or certified training device?

No. It is a privately built mechanical system, not a toy, children's product, certified recreational device, therapeutic product or substitute for professional riding instruction. Adult supervision and responsible construction and operation are essential.

Ready to create something exceptional?

You cannot order this horse. But you can build it.

The complete digital guide gives you the proven design, dimensions, templates and construction sequence behind the real prototype. The next horse could be yours.

View the guide on Etsy See exactly what is included