Hobbies And Interests
Wood
Wooden stick horses are old children's toys that are still common today. They are easy to make, so you can make them for your children personally. Wooden stick horses are often accessorized with a yarn mane, leather ears and reins. Normally, the design is a simple two dimensional horse-head shaped carving attached to a long round pole, but some more expensive wooden stick horses may have fully carved three dimensional features.
Fabric
Plush headed stick horses have a stuffed animal-like head made from cotton, fleece or other similar materials. They are usually attached to the same type of wooden stick as the wooden horses, but they are much more three-dimensional and colorful than their wooden counterparts. All types of colors are used, though some are reserved for special uses, such as red, white and blue for a patriotic theme.
Plastic
The major differentiating factor between plastic stick horses and the wooden and plush stick horses is that the stick is not made from wood. This makes the toy lighter and more accessible for very young children. Although most plastic stick horses have a plush head, the cheapest variety use painted, molded plastic to complete the finished product.
Others
A newer feature for stick horses is the incorporation of electronics. Whinnying or galloping sounds are incorporated into some models' plush heads. The sound adds a level of realism and helps to encourage the imagination of young children in a way that gives the traditional design a new twist. Miniature stick horses are also available, sold as accessories for dolls. Other animals, such as sheep, are also sometimes made in the same way as the stick horses.