Mighty Steed :: Wooden Horse Tutorial

Everyone knows a Knight needs a Mighty Steed! I can’t believe that it has been 2 years since I promised everyone that I would create a tutorial on how to make a wooden horse, but here it finally is! Now, if you’d like to make a Brave Knight and Squire to befriend your steed, you can find the tutorial on how to make a wooden knight and squire HERE.

Materials:
wood – Most of our wood projects are cut from 1″ woods. (i.e. 1″ x 8″, etc.) I have used pine, popular, oak and maple. The harder the wood, the more durable the project, but harder it is to cut.
paint – non toxic – I used soy paint for the horse
fine tip permanent black marker (optional)
wood finish – non toxic – I used beeswax
wood or crafting glue
sisal – 3 1/2″″ of 1/4″
pattern

Tools and equipment:
scroll saw
dremel (optional – can sand if you do not have a dremel)
fine sandpaper – I used a sponge sandpaper block
safety glasses and face mask (a must if you are using a dremel)
wide clear packing tape to reinforce pattern (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Read the general directions for How To Cut Out Wood found HERE.

Make a copy of the pattern. If desired, cover the pattern with wide packing tape. This makes the pattern sturdy, easy to trace around and it can be used over and over again.

Position the pattern on the wood so the legs follow the grain of the wood as indicated on the pattern. This will give extra strength to the legs. Trace the pattern on the wood. Cut out wood, and sand edges. Note: DO NOT use the dremel on the hoof edges, just slightly sand to remove burrs. You want as much surface area left on the bottom of the legs so the horse stands straight. Remember: follow the general directions found HERE.

Using the dremel, sand a space between the horse’s ears.

Using the pattern for placement, drill the hole for the tale 1/2″ deep, using a 1/4″ drill bit.

Transfer markings from the pattern to horse for painting. Make sure to transfer the markings to both sides. Note: Lots of room for creative expression here! You can use my design or paint the horse any way you want! For transferring marking to the wood I usually color the back of the pattern with pencil, making sure all the lines from the front are cover. Then, I place it on the wood and trace the markings with a pen. This will lightly transfer the markings to the wood. Transfer marking to both sides using the right and left facing horse patterns.

Join the marks from one side of the horse to the other. You will need to do this on its back, neck and face.

Paint the horse. I used soy paint and on the body of the horse I watered it down to create a wash. I wanted to see the grain through the paint. I was also able to see my lines. I painted the rest of the horse using soy paint that was not watered down.

Using a permanent draw on face detail. Remember to go across the front of the face with the mouth.

To make the tail, cut the sisal 3 1/2″ long. Place a small amount of tape on one end. This will hold the tail together when you fray the sisal and make it easier to slide the tail into the hole. Unwrap all the individual twisted pieces.

You can leave the tail as is or paint. If you are painting the tail water down the paint you used to paint the mane. Paint the tail. As the tail is drying “fluff” the tail so dried clumps do not form.

After the tail is mostly dried, put glue directly into the the hole for the tail and slide the tail in. (It’s a good idea for there to be some moisture left in the tail because it is easier to shape after the tail is in place.)

After you have the tail positioned you might want to give the tail a bit of a haircut, evening out the tail and removing any wayward strands of sisal.

Shape the tails so they lay properly.

Finally, apply your finish of choice and your horse is ready to gallop!

Our finished steed with their Knights and Squires. You can find the FREE pattern on how to make wooden Knights and Squires HERE.