How to Make Metal Folding Horses

Cut the steel tubing to length with a band saw with a metal cutting blade or a hacksaw. For one horse, you need four, 32-inch lengths and four, 26-inch lengths. If necessary, file the edges smooth.

Assemble eight sections of cut tubing into two rectangles, each measuring 32 inches by 28 inches; butt two, 32-inch lengths on the outside of two, 26-inch lengths to form each rectangle. Ensure the corners are at right angles by aligning them with a carpenter's square. Clamp into place, making sure the butt joints are tight.

Using a MIG welder, tack weld each corner joint together on all four sides of one rectangle. Repeat on the other rectangle. Allow tack welds to cool before moving the rectangular tubing framework.

Go back and weld fully around each joint in the rectangle, using a straight weld or a slight zig-zag pattern. Do not start the weld on the tack, as this can break the tack weld. Allow welds to cool before moving the rectangles. The rectangles are now complete and ready for assembly into folding horses.

Lay the two rectangles flat so that the 32-inch long sides are butting each other. Open two hinges flat, pin side up, and lay them over the 32-inch sides of the butted rectangles, each 1 inch in from the outside edge. The hinge pins should nestle in the small gap between the two rectangles.

Using a power drill and a nut driver bit, attach the hinges to the rectangles with self-tapping screws. With the hinges attached, the rectangles should flip over and lay flat against each other.

Stand the horse on the ground so that it looks like an "A". On one end, measure up 12 inches from the bottom of each leg and attach a 8.5-inch length of small-link steel chain to the outside of the horse legs with self-tapping screws. Repeat on the other end.