Whenever I think of the rocking horse, I think of Christmas. I am not sure why. Maybe it is remembering the sight of one placed distinctively near the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. for as long as I can remember. Or maybe its the ornamental store front window with the rocking horse surrounded by all the packages with the red ribbons and bows. Whatever the reason, it holds a soft place in my early upbringing. It is amazing what things we hold onto from our memory. Even more so is wandering where those special things came from in the first place.
I have often seen small children ride around the park with a stick between their legs; Their imaginations running as fast as their legs. I suspect that is pretty much how the first rocking horse came about. Some dad long ago stood watching his young child sitting on a fallen log pretending it was a horse and he decided to make him a better one. According to earliest records the first toy horse was not a rocker. It had a round barrel body and was mounted on 4 wheels. If the child’s legs were long enough, they would propel themselves along. The children would mimic the jousting contests held during medieval times. Simple hobby horses, with stuffed heads mounted on a broomstick were popular for centuries.
The first actual rocking horses, mounted on a bow shaped rocker, appeared during the 17th century. It had boarded sides and a log body between the two rockers and an unsophisticated head. Because of the rockers, it is believed to have originated from the idea of the early cradle.. The earliest example is said to be dated around 1610 and belonged to Charles 1st. This first rocker is now housed in the V and A museum of Childhood in London. Over time, the bow shaped rocking horse became more elegant and detailed.
Although Europe led the way in the development of the rocking horse, it was an American, P. J. Marqua, who invented the safety stand. European manufactures quickly saw the benefit of this design. Not only did this design prevent the toy horse from tipping over but it needed far less space to store. At this time these nice rocking horses were costly because they were made individually. So at this time in history, only the wealthiest families were able to purchase these for their children. For the most part, the common folks were forced to build barrel horses for their toddlers.
It wasn’t until the advent of the industrial revolution that it became possible to quickly produce the type of rocking horse wanted by most people. Modern technology introduced the skills to mass produce as well as the tools to intricately carve and shape more easily. This new technology created beautifully carved, highly polished rocking horses in a short period of time with a fraction of the labor time. Now almost anyone could afford a rocking horse for their child.
Today, it is the child’s imagination that keeps the rocking horse riding from one generation to the next. The little person sitting on the horse may be dressed a little different century to century but the dreams they dream are all the same..kiddi up go horse, kiddi up go!
About the Author
Article for uk based wooden toys store selling childrens wooden toys from top brands.
A very interesting article about the history of the rocking horse.