| Enigmatic and nostalgic, the rocking horse can open | | | | put on the curved rails. Designers use other rocking |
| magical doors for children and adults alike. Adults sit | | | | animals to appeal to the wide audience of consumers. |
| back, watching children play, and remember the special | | | | Materials have varied as well, with fabric, leather, |
| times they had on their own horse. Rocking horses will | | | | plastic, the finest hardwood, and the likes making up |
| forever symbolize childhood and its fantastic | | | | the design. Designers have begun to focus on more |
| memories. Despite the gizmo like toys for children and | | | | than just wood and a real horse mane in the form of |
| modern decor for the home, a rocking horse still tops | | | | the rocking horse.Finally, the purpose of the rocking |
| the list of toys to give and display.Historically, carved | | | | horse has grown. Not just limited to fun and a thrill ride, |
| rocking horses have existed since the medieval era. | | | | the rocking horse has become an educational tool, |
| The sculptured rocking horse made its debut in New | | | | used to teach children essentials like toilet etiquette. |
| England in the 19th century. At this point carved rocking | | | | Thanks to the rocking horse toilet, children can now |
| horses gained appreciation. They continued to gain | | | | learn to do their business while riding a horse. |
| widespread popularity throughout the century. | | | | Apparently the toy teaches children proper ways of |
| Craftsmen added real horsehair manes and tales to | | | | using a toilet.Realistic looking rocking horses and |
| make the horse appear rational. Though made of | | | | accessories still exist, like saddles, bridles and tail. Online |
| wood, many offered a comfortable ride thanks to | | | | manufacturers specialize in these toys, but you must |
| added padding. The horses received cloth saddles and | | | | make sure that you find a reputable dealer. Purchase |
| reins to authenticate them as horses.Since the | | | | the horses in good condition and with warranties so |
| American Civil War, the horse's appearance has | | | | you can return them should they arrive defective. |
| changed, becoming more antique looking. Unlike before | | | | Unique rocking horses also abound thanks to creative |
| the war, assembly line manufacturers began mass | | | | manufacturers. For a mere $200 you can come home |
| producing the rocking horses. Today the rocking horse | | | | with a custom made horse. However, the best ones |
| has become much more diversified. Experimental | | | | can cost up to $3500.These one of a kind toys have |
| versions have popped up like with other vintage | | | | lasted centuries for a reason. So the next time you're |
| toys.Colors, design, materials, and purpose vary from | | | | scratching your noggin in search of a great toy for |
| the conventional horse, with the colors stretching from | | | | your grandkid, consider the timeless and priceless |
| the antique white to gaudy and bright colors. Design | | | | rocking horse.Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre |
| has also become broader, with more than the horse | | | | Florida. |