History of Rocking Horse
The Rocking Horse has a long and distinguished history and making such horses for use as children’s toys has been a pastime for hundreds of years all over the world. During the 1300’s, the jousting tournaments were re-enacted by children with wheeled horses and by the time of the 19th century, many examples of pull along wheeled horses were in existence.
The oldest rocking horse in existence is believed to have belonged to King Charles the First of England and supposedly dates to around 1610. As time passed the design and carving of wooden rocking horses became increasingly sophisticated and ornate and rocking horse plans increased in complexity. This type of rocking horse was developed through the next couple of centuries with the heads and bodies becoming more and more ornately carved and painted.
The well known wooden rocking horse on bow rockers was developed in England during the eighteenth century and it became extremely popular with the wealthy aristocrats of the ruling classes.
The wooden rocking horses of this time were carved, rasped and then covered with a substance called gesso. Application of the gesso was labour intensive with a number of coats being required with sanding of each coat prior to application of the next coat.
Bow rockers gave way to horses on safety stands, the design of which was patented by American Philip Marqua in 1877. As technology developed the old gesso method gave way to natural wooden rocking horses and rocking horse plans began appearing showing the creation of beautiful carved creatures with ornate and elaborate carvings. The skills for crafting wooden rocking horses almost disappeared during the 20th century but today are making a comeback as parents across the world recognise the durability and basic beauty of wooden toys rather than mass produced plastic artifacts.
Rocking Horse Plans – Unique and Safe One
Would you like to build a very unique Rocking Horse? It is modeled after a 1950’s style Rocking Horse, called Saf-T-Colt. It is a lot safer than some of the contemporary versions of a Rocking Horse, and is plenty of fun to ride.
For generations, the rocking horse is one of the most popular toys. Little cowboys and cowgirls like to get on the saddle and ride the family room range. You create your unique rocking hose with affection. And you will pass on this outstanding rocking horse from generation to generation.
Do you want a realistic Horse’s head? Do you want painted eyes and mane or a genuine appearance? Would you like to build a safe rocking horse?
A nice feature to incorporate into you rocking horse is the base does not move. That adds stability to the rocking horse. But you want the rocking horse to rock and glide. Do you want to waste wood with fancy legs or would you rather minimize wood waste? Do you want to raise the saddle as your child grows? You can make a Rocking Horse from any good hardwood for a long-lasting heirloom toy. Why not use a “horse’s eye gem” from China for realistic effects? For the child’s stability, you want handholds on the head and stirrups down below. Building a child’s toy is lots of fun. It may take hours cutting, sanding, assembling and finishing a toy. Any woodworker can make a great rocking horse as long as they have great woodworking plans.
For a great guide to making wooden rocking horses and also wooden rocking horse plans you can visit this easy woodworking plans link or you can check another plan like bookshelf plans
