high country horse drawn

Horse Drawn Carriage, Wagon, and Sleigh Conservation, Restoration, and Repair in Bozeman, Montana

About Us

A Passion For All Horse Drawn Conveyances

We are Harlan Olson and Joal Olson, husband and wife, and we have a passionate interest in preserving the history of what remains of our nation's early horse drawn vehicles and accessories.

While conserving /restoring and displaying our personal collection of vehicles, we started getting requests for our services. We are pleased that our passion is shared and offer our services to other horse drawn enthusiasts.

Our shop - essentially a "working museum" - is small - it's just the two of us. We are not a production shop. Our focus is on craftsmanship and quality, specializing in cutters and sleighs.

We have over 47 years experience in horse drawn vehicle and early antique auto restoration, and we love what we do.

Our home and shop are located in the foothills of the Bridger Mountains just North of Bozeman, Montana.

In addition to our work at home, we are involved with the Living History program at the Nevada City, Montana Living History Museum. We also work with the Montana Heritage Commission to care for the 70+ horse drawn vehicles housed between Virginia City and Nevada City, Montana.

We often have a variety of wagons, buggies, cutters, sleighs, and carriages for sale in any and all conditions. Everything from antique parts, to projects of varying complexity, to roadworthy vehicles ready to hitch up.

What We Do

Conservation
Restoration
Repair
Wainwright
Wheelwright
Wheel Work / Wheel Repair
Cold Wheel Tightening
Rubber Tiring
Carriage Tops / Buggy Tops / Auto Tops
Upholstery
Select Restorations - Horse Drawn & Early Horseless Carriages/Automobiles
Cutters & Sleighs Our Specialty
Antique Horse Drawn Vehicles & Antique Parts For Sale
Consultations & Appraisals**

** Most appraisals require us to physically view and assess your vehicle

Conservation/Restoration/Repair

Conservation

Carefully preserving and repairing historically significant artifacts requires conservation. Conservation entails retaining as much of the original integrity of the vehicle as possible; including historical in-service repairs, taking measures to arrest further decay and deterioration, and often times returning the artifact back to an accurate interpretive state even if it is not a roadworthy vehicle.

Restoration

Conservation

Restorations usually involve the entire vehicle and all its various components such as the gear, body, wheels, runners, tops, upholstery. A restoration is a reconstruction, replication, or even just a representation of the original.

Repair

Conservation

Repair

The current state of soundness is assessed, followed by replacements or upgrades to any and all areas damaged or missing. Repairs can be many different things, necessary or desired, such as a broken spoke replaced, wheels tightened, rubber applied to the tires, a top fabricated for a vehicle that never had one or even a fresh coat of paint.

Repair