The above horse is made of Canadian maple. With blonde real horse hair and tail. Blue suede saddle cloth with brown leather tack. This is 5 foot long, 4 foot tall and wide. Is on a safety glider and can hold full grown adult. This looks like Feste the horse from Children of Greene Knowe, although it was to be a dappled grey horse not a yellow one. Going with the look of the one from the BBC special.
When I was little, I spent my first 12 birthdays wishing for a horse/pony. Never got one despite my efforts and knowing my parents hand the land for one. I think they knew, I’d live in the stables with my equine friend. I’d the acquiesced. Well this is the next best thing, that doesn’t cost room board tack for a real one.
History wise horses have alway been a popular children’s toy. From stick pony’s or stick horses as seen in Pieter Bruegel the elder’s masterpiece; Children’s Games from 1560. In this painting, you see many common, children’s games, and toys. The stick pony or stick horse definitely is one of the few toys of a larger size.
Hobby horse also happens to be an item that is popular through medieval Times. Where it is a stationary horse on a flat platform with wheels. Horses can be seen as clay recreations with other common toys in the Roman period, tended to be figurines. And there are medieval manuscripts that mention toy horses.
Modern image of a rocking horse in its current and most popular style comes in during the 17th century. The curved rockers that were also used in rocking chairs were attached to a wooden carved horse. They were not very stable and could topple over much easier.
In the Victorian era, the apparatus changed to a more safety like structure where the frame moved with the mounted horse but the stand stayed stationary. As compared to the rockers in the entire item moving all at once. This change in design made them much safer and unlikely to be toppled over on the rider.
Much like what I mentioned toy were used as a learning aid or prop to develop skills. The same was applied to a Rocking horse, regarding the very beginning skills of learning to ride horseback.
The cost of these horses can very greatly the miniature variety are over $1000. The medium size tends to cost $2000 to $4000. The large size that you see here can be about $4000 to $6000. The extra large size $6000 on up, especially if it’s a limited edition. Mine is 23 years old but in perfect condition only cost me $1000 plus $750 for delivery, a bargain compared to the retail.
On giving my friend a good cleaning, and then making sure that they are properly waxed all over, as well as making sure the tack is oiled, As I think leather m can dry out overtime and as can the wood.
Here is to hoping,
Maureen
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