About Rocking Horses

History

• When King Charles I of England was a young boy in the 17th century, his nursery included a rocking horse. It was carved like a regular barrel and decorated with a saddle and a horse's head. These rocking horses developed from medieval hobby horses. These were like modern hobby horses: a horse head at the end of a long stick that children rode, with the stick between their legs.

Features

• By 1750, rocking horses mounted on a set of parallel bows like a rocking chair became popular. They were the only type of rocking horse made until 1880, when P. J. Marqua invented and patented a rocking horse mounted in a stand that did not move. Instead, a swinging mechanism moved the horse back and forth. These rocking horses were safer for the children. They did not tip over when rocked too vigorously, and they did not rock over the toes of anyone standing nearby.

Value

• Three traditional British rocking horse manufacturers were: F. H. Ayres, Limes/Triang, and Collinson. Antique rocking horses made by any of these makers which remain in good condition will bring a significant price at auction. They can go for more than $7,000 each.

Expert Insight

• Modern hand-carved rocking horses are also quite expensive. Dick Gerling is an American craftsman who carves large rocking horses out of hardwood. The rockers on Gerling's rocking horses measure five feet long and are set 16 inches apart. The bodies of his rocking horses are 40 inches long with ears at a distance of 31 inches from the floor. These rocking horses sell for around $1400. If you are a skilled craftsman, you can buy a rocking horse kit from the Rocking Horse Memories company (see Resources).

Types

• While these rocking horses are very expensive, less costly plush rocking horses, molded plastic rocking horses, and cheap wooden rocking horses are readily available at toy stores everywhere. Some rocking horses are not horses at all. There are rocking lambs, chickens, cows and monsters. Some rocking horses outside in playgrounds are mounted on sturdy metal springs.