Wooden Rocking Horse

Wooden Rocking Horse

There are a number of wooden rocking horse designs and styles on the market. Be sure to read our review summary and discover what you need to know before you buy one that is just right for you... 

What child doesn't love the idea of getting on an animal just bigger than themselves and spending time imagining a ride across an open field, or a gallop through the woods? The repetitive nature of rocking, whether it is in a mother's arms or on a swing is very soothing to children. So in lies the lure to a child of a rocking horse.

The Wooden Rocking Horse

A rocking horse, and especially the wooden rocking horse, is one of the oldest toys, dating back to ancient Egypt. Since then, children around the world have spent hours riding their faithful steeds. 

The wooden rocking horse comes in various sizes to fit all sized children and even adults.  Wooden rocking horses also come in a wide variety of prices. One of the most famous makers of wooden rocking horses was F.A.Ayres who had his company based in London in the 1860’s. They were very elaborate, and therefore rather pricey. 

If you are so inclined and have deep enough pockets, you can purchase replicas of Ayers wooden rocking horses. They are intricately carved, and beautifully painted. Most of them come with optional saddles and feature real horse hair. There are also other companies around the world that make elaborate and often, unique wooden rocking horses. 

Today the general public has a wide variety of places to buy a wooden rocking horse. They now come in all price ranges for everyone to be able to afford. You will find two different kinds of wooden rocking horses. The traditional bow rocker wooden rocking horse is still prized by many as being true to the original wooden rocking horse that came into popularity in the 1700^th century. 

There is also the stand wooden rocking horse that was invented in America and patented in England in 1880. The stand wooden rocking horse offers a wider base to give it more stability so as to not tip over and the bonus that it can’t ‘walk’ across the floor as bow rockers can do, especially when being ridden by an enthusiastic cowboy or a knight in shining armor! A stand wooden rocking horse also needs less space than a bow wooden rocking horse. The stand wooden rocking horse offers parents more peace of mind when their little one is riding full tilt. 

Many high-end wooden rocking horses are constructed of wooden laminate rather than being carved from a single block of wood. The laminate construction gives the wooden rocking horse more strength in delicate places like the ears and makes the horse more able to withstand high heat and humidity.  

You can choose to have your wooden rocking horse either painted or coated with a clear or colored sealant. A painted wooden rocking horse can be very elaborately painted, such as in a carousel horse fashion or as a specific breed. The drawback to a painted wooden rocking horse is that the paint can chip and is difficult to repair. With a sealant, it is much easier to repair the scratch yourself. You can also find places that use multiple applications of wood oil to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.  

Another truly wonderful feature of wooden rocking horses is that if you have one built for you, there are many makes that leave the stomach empty so that if you wish, a time capsule can be added to be filled with a lock of your child’s hair, and other family keepsakes. 

With wooden rocking horses prices starting at under $100 and going up into the thousands of dollars, you can be assured of finding the perfect wooden rocking horse for your child and your budget, that will be cherished for years to come.