The reclaimer
Deborah Walsh from Rocking Horse Elite shares her love of restoring antique horses and explains the benefits of investing in a reclaimed version
Deborah Walsh from Rocking Horse Elite shares her love for restoring antique horses
Rocking around the Christmas tree…
The character and beauty of an antique rocking horse is something that comes with age and cannot be captured in a modern item. Many will bear the scuffs of boot polish or have fading paint on the neck from where little hands have clung on over the years – you can feel that these horses have lived. On a practical level, an antique rocking horse will hold its value should you ever part with it, appealing to collectors or specialists looking for a unique piece. Fine examples by J & G Lines, JR & T Smith and FH Ayres include the unusual spring stand and rare moving head horse.
Paint particulars…
When searching for an old rocking horse, look for original paint where possible. Don’t worry if it’s damaged or worn; many collectors prefer to live with a tatty original than have it restored, as removing the paint will strip the value. Don’t worry about chipped ears or teeth either, as these are common and can be easily fixed. The same goes for tack and hair. If you see an old horse that has been given a new coat of paint, don’t let that put you off. Many restorations involve painstakingly picking off the over paint to expose the colours underneath. You may even find a patent stamp on the base of a stand.
Do your research…
There are lots of overseas copies masquerading as antique, so beware if it looks very uniform. Remember that a person carved the original horse, whereas modern replicas are made by machines. Old woodworm holes often put off buyers, but this isn’t an issue as long as it’s treated, and can often just be the sign of an old horse. However, live woodworm is a problem, so check for falling dust.
How to restore…
Each horse has his own issues, from minor paint touches to a full strip down, entailing taking limbs off to rebuild it. Extensive woodworm is not always evident, and tiny holes on the exterior may hide a maze inside a leg joint, which will affect the structural integrity. The style of the dapples (paint) for each maker is different and therefore a finish that is faithful to the original takes time. The varnish would have been clear but yellowed over time, which is especially difficult when patching original paint. An old horse wouldn’t suit new tack so we distress the leather, and if missing metalwork can’t be sourced, a distressed replica can be made.
To play or display…
Antique rocking horses are not covered by modern health and safety laws, so it is entirely up to the owner whether they allow their children to ride it or not. We advise that all young riders be supervised, and supply a strap of jingle bells attached to the bridle so that parents are alerted when a child attempts to mount the horse.