In selecting a cart for your mini, draft, or light horse there are a number of things to consider. Assuming that you have already taken driving lessons from an experience driving trainer and are comfortable in the vehicle that your new horse has been driven in previously you might just stick with whatever vehicle he is already used to.  If he's only been driven in a forecart and you want to start pleasure driving with him and showing him in breed classes then you are probably going to want to invest in at least one cart.   Cart selection for pleasure driving is a very personal matter. Some people wouldn't have anything but a wooden cart with wooden wheels and others love the metal easy entry carts with metal rimmed bicycle tire wheels.  In choosing a cart you must be sure to get a quality cart that is well balanced and does not put excessive weight directly onto the horse's back.  The driver's considerations would be:   A) is the cart easy for you to get in and out of smoothly;  (Some carts are quite a climb and the step up might be too much and make the driver feel off-balanced upon entering and exiting the cart. If you feel off balanced you will not have full controll of your horse and such carts should be avoided. The wooden Meadowbrook cart with standing board behind and flip-up, fold-down seats might suit you better than a wooden cart with a single step and bench seat.)   B) Are you comfortable with the height of the seat in proportion to your leg length?  (Some carts are built for men and some for a woman's stature. If your seat is too high and your feet do not touch the floor of a wooden or metal cart you will not be comfortable or safe in driving it.).    Then there are the Easy-entry metal carts to consider. Again you want a balanced cart that will not weigh heavily on the horse's back.  Check the seat height that it is not too high for your leg length and that there is a good suspension system on the cart to make for a comfortable drive.   Most metal Easy entry carts have springs smaller than but similar to the coil springs in automobile suspension. If you plan on driving on graded roads or lanes these springs are only marginally serviceable. Carts with leaf spring suspension can handle bumps and ruts at slower speeds with much less jarring to driver and passengers than can coil springs.  As for the shaft length and width; you must measure your horse 's width at the shoulder and hip as well as his overall length to determine what size cart he needs. In general, the bigger the horse the more clearance he will need behind for full leg extension without interference with the cart and at the hip and shoulders for negotiating turns. Also, consider that you want your shafts as near level as possible to the horizontal. When your horse is harnessed up measure the distance from your tugs to the ground. The shafts on your new cart should have about the same measurement when horizontal from their upper surface to the ground as your tugs do to the ground when on the horse.   Then there are jogging/ show carts which are a cross between the two aformentioned  carts which have wooden shafts and bicycle tires but also have leaf spring suspension. These are made by various companies such as Houghton, Jerald, Pennsbury and others. Many breed shows for light horses, ponies and minis require this style cart to show in. Some have floors and bench seats and some have single seats and stirrups for your feet to rest in out infront of you. These carts are light weight, well balanced and, since they are a small and versatile cart, can be used for both pleasure driving and showing.  Whatever cart you choose be sure that your horse is comfortable with it before venturing out on a Sunday road trip. Drive your horse in familiar territory close to home for a time in his new cart and be sure he is completely manageable and that you and he become totally familiar with your new carts way of travelling.   Good Luck and Safe Driving