RIGHT AT HOME: Saddle up in style on new rocking horses
The rocking horse, offspring of the hobby horse, seems to have appeared first in the early 17th century. Not much more than a log with board sides, it may have been inspired by the cradle, according to Alec Kinane of Legends Rocking Horses in Buckinghamshire, England.
“The horse on bow rockers that we know and love today was a product of 18th century England,” Kinane says. “It was popular with the wealthy, and it is said they were used to help develop children’s balance for riding real horses.”
Kinane and his wife, Beverley, have been hand-carving and restoring rocking horses for 30 years.