Why does a spring rocking horse make such a great gift for any young child. Call me old fashioned but I am not a lover of most modern electronic, noisy and flashing toys. I like more traditional toys that I bought for my children thirty five years ago and toys from the years before that. One toy that has stood the test of time is the rocking horse which dates back hundreds of years, and despite what I have just said, the more modern version of this toy is the spring rocking horse.
Wooden horses date back to the middle ages and were used by knights to practice jostling. Later, wooden horses appeared as children's toys in late 17th century or early 18th century. However an early example is a crude elm and soft wood horse dated about 1610 and reputed to have belonged to Charles 1 when he was a young prince. This rare horse is now housed in the V & A Museum in London.
From the early 1800s onward rocking horses became more commonly considered as a child's toy. Mostly built by wood craftsmen, and ranging from relatively crude to finely ornamented and the toys of future kings, it was not until the late 19th century that the production became industrialized.
Over a period of time bow shaped rockers became more elaborate and the horses more realistic in appearance . The carved wood was covered with gesso, rubbed down to a smooth finish, painted and then fitted with full harness and saddle. Even two centuries after knights practiced jousting wealthy families would use these horses to train their children to ride.
Rocking horses became very popular during the 19th century for two reasons. In the wake of the industrial revolution, a wealthy upper middle-class emerged in Britain in the first half of the 19th century. These people were to become the natural rocking horse buyers. The rocking horse made increasing appearances in the nursery and commercial rocking horse making began. Secondly when Queen Victoria gave a dapple grey rocking horse 'royal approval. In 1851, Her Majesty visited the works of J. Collinson in Liverpool and selected a dapple grey to ride. News of her preference soon spread and the future of the rocking horse was assured, and the dabble grey became a best seller.
There was no doubt that English rocking horses led the world. Ironically though, it was an American who was responsible for one of the most important and significant advances in design. In 1877, P.J. Marqua of Cincinnati, Ohio, patented the safety stand. Until then all rocking horses had been mounted on bow rockers. Marqua's design responded to both safety and practical concerns. The safety or swinger stand, on the other hand, provided a fixed static frame on which the rocking horse swung on swing irons.
Jumping forwards until today we have the modern version of the rocking horse and that is the 'spring horse'. The horses body is of soft, plush construction and is suspended in its light weight metal frame by strong springs which also give it the rocking and swaying motion. Most models need putting together once they arrive at your house but this is easy and straight forwards.
Bear in mind that a spring rocking horse needs considerably more space than a Play Station so there is no point in purchasing one if it has to be squeezed in and your child cannot get full use and enjoyment from it. Children love their horses and give them names and they become part of the famaily. That was certainly the case with my daughter, and 'Rupert' used to move between the lounge and her bedroom almost daily.
When you consider purchasing a spring horse there a couple of things to consider. First and foremost is the space as I have already mentioned, secondly is to match the horse size to the child. You don't want a horse that is completely the wrong size so read the manufacturers recommendations on the website for the right horse for the right age group.
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