Hobbies And Interests
Horse Themes
Carousel horses are decorated in every imaginable color with a wide variety of themes. There are knight's chargers, cowboy mounts and native American ponies. Pegasus and the unicorn are perfectly suited to the magical carousel, as well as a menagerie of others. Reindeer, tigers, giraffes, zebras, elephants and rabbits are a nice change from the typical carousel horse.
Non-Horses
While there all types of animals used as carousel horses, there are also some nonanimal "horses" that are seen on the carousel. Christmas sleighs, covered benches and turning gazebos all find their way onto the carousel. They are ideal for parents with children too young to ride, or those who want to spin while the carousel rotates.
Sizes
Carousel horses are usually a standard size, around 4 feet, but they can be custom ordered to be larger, even life size. Large horses can be 5 feet tall or more, meaning adults will feel comfortable riding them. Smaller animals are suited for riding by small children, as they can more easily wrap their legs around the thinner body.
Materials and Detailing
Traditional carousel horses are made out of wood, and most manufacturers continue to produce wooden horses. However, there some makers produce resin and fiberglass horses, since these materials require less maintenance and may last longer than wood. High-quality carousel horses may feature details like synthetic hair manes and tails, fabric and leather saddles and rhinestone jewels.
Jumpers and Standers
Most carousel horses come in one of two positions: jumping or standing. The "jumpers" are the horses with all four legs off the ground. They are usually the ones that move up and down. The "standers" are in a standing position and are generally stationary. The outside horse, or "boss," which is usually the most decorative, is most often a "stander."