| Children absolutely love rocking toys, especially | | | | rockers. |
| wooden rocking horses! And, I don't blame them one | | | | Rocking horses date back to the Middle Ages and |
| bit! | | | | are thought to have been made in Germany. Medieval |
| Rocking horses have been enchanting both the | | | | knights practiced jousting on wheeled horses, but |
| young and the young at heart since the 17th century. | | | | wooden horses made for children came later. Their |
| A rocking horse is a captivating toy, a beautiful | | | | popularity rose in the 1800s when they began to |
| addition to any room, and a future heirloom. Rocking | | | | resemble the sculpted creations we recognize today. |
| horses are also an excellent heirloom. | | | | The Victorian rocking horses were crafted by hand, |
| We were privileged to have no ordinary | | | | but as the Industrial Revolution progressed, the |
| rocking-horse. Ours was a rocking horse with wheels! | | | | rocking horse became a mass-produced item. |
| I really think that they are the best! I still have | | | | Rocking horses and other similar rocking toys have |
| photos of my sister and myself both rocking and | | | | been around are some of the best classic toys there |
| pushing it along. In fact my parents could not stop | | | | are. The best examples make wonderful collectibles. |
| me pushing it in order to get a picture of me, so you | | | | But what is about rocking horses that make them so |
| see they found a boulder and set in front of the | | | | well loved through the generations? I would say that |
| front wheels. Now, that picture really makes me | | | | physically, the rocking motion naturally soothes every |
| laugh. I was so annoyed to see the obstruction that I | | | | child and also helps their development of balance and |
| was obstinately still pushing against that immovable | | | | vision. But, that is only the half of it because in the |
| object when they took the photo and my | | | | child's imagination comes all the association with |
| expression is quite comical! | | | | horses, and beyond that to the magical stories, |
| Each child will adore a rocking horse for a period, and | | | | legends and fables of riders and horses which while |
| then grow out of all such things. That is no reason at | | | | gently rocking, the imaginative child can picture and |
| all for not buying your children one, besides adults are | | | | re-live in their minds. |
| constantly charmed by seeing them. It takes them | | | | Rocking horses also evolved into spirited racing |
| back to a time of innocent enjoyment in their own | | | | steeds with lowered heads and outstretched legs. |
| lives. Is there any wonder that it is a memory to | | | | These horses were effective training devices as the |
| treasure, and many adults will buy themselves a | | | | young rider could easily be thrown if not riding |
| rocking horse to adorn their home, even when there | | | | correctly. Which brings me to make the point in this |
| are no children around. | | | | age of safety worries, that rocking horses as well as |
| After the child no longer enjoys the horse, it is | | | | any other baby toys should always be chosen |
| stored away in the attic until the next child comes | | | | according to infant safety criteria and age limit. For |
| along. The seeking it out again dusting and cleaning it | | | | small babies, about 4 months old and up, a rocking |
| in anticipation of the joy of its new owner, is a | | | | horse shall have a special seat, these are best if |
| delight for so many adults and children. What are | | | | removable and washable. |
| attics for, if not made for such objects? | | | | Children are rough on everything, especially in their |
| Rocking horses in the 19th century were made of | | | | developmental years, before they learn the benefit |
| timber in block sections. The body and head were of | | | | (and necessity) of taking care of their belongings. As |
| softwood, usually yellow pine which was easy to | | | | a result, choose childrenâEUR(TM)s furniture |
| carve, while the legs were made from hardwood, | | | | which has been built to withstand the constant |
| commonly beech, with ash used by choice for the | | | | interaction of children. |