to put the cart before the horse

Cart \Cart\ (k[aum]rt), n. [AS. cr[ae]t; cf. W. cart, Ir. &
   Gael. cairt, or Icel. kartr. Cf. {Car}.]
   1. A common name for various kinds of vehicles, as a Scythian
      dwelling on wheels, or a chariot. "Ph[oe]bus' cart."
      --Shak.
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   2. A two-wheeled vehicle for the ordinary purposes of
      husbandry, or for transporting bulky and heavy articles.
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            Packing all his goods in one poor cart. --Dryden.
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   3. A light business wagon used by bakers, grocerymen,
      butchers, etc.
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   4. An open two-wheeled pleasure carriage.
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   {Cart horse}, a horse which draws a cart; a horse bred or
      used for drawing heavy loads; -- also spelled {carthorse}.
      

   {Cart rope}, a stout rope for fastening a load on a cart; any
      strong rope.

   {To put the cart before the horse}, {To get the cart before
   the horse}, or {To set the cart before the horse}, to invert
      the order of related facts or ideas, as by putting an
      effect for a cause; to do things in an improper order.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]