Taking Care for Your Rocking Horse

Rocking horses have always been among the most popular toys for kids for many centuries now. Since they were invented in the 1600s, children all over the world have been having immense fun riding these toys in department stores, parks and even in their own homes. If you have inherited an antique rocking horse from your parents or grandparents, then you can consider yourself quite lucky because antique rockers are quite rare and very valuable, especially if they have been kept in excellent condition. That said, you do have to make sure that it stays in good shape under your care so that it will retain or even increase its value when you pass it on to your kids a few years down the line.

There really isn't much to taking care of a wooden rocking horse except for keeping it in a safe place that is protected from humidity and direct exposure the elements.
Antique rockers may be very old but most of them are actually much more durable than the newer versions that can be bought in toy stores these days.

In fact, children can ride them quite as vigorously as any of the new models without fear of breaking the toy at all. On the other hand, if you have recently purchased a rocking horse, the maintenance requirements would depend on which kind you have chosen to buy.
There are three main types today. The first one is the traditional wooden rocking horse, which is pretty much the same in design and appearance as what our parents had bought for us when we were kids.

They tend to be very low-maintenance especially if they had been made with superior craftsmanship.
You do have to periodically check for loose nails or screws, which can lead to nasty accidents if not fixed right away.

It would also be good to let kids use these toys in a wide open area instead of a crowded or cluttered room because they tend to move around a lot with the rocking motion, possibly causing injuries or damage to other furniture.

Another popular type today is the plush rocking horse.
These varieties also stand on a curved rocker and move around considerably as well and thus, should be used in an open space.

They also tend to accumulate dust since the surface is made of a soft, furry material just like a kid's stuffed toy. You can keep them clean simply by covering them whenever they are not in use. Finally, there are the spring rocking horses that are recommended for those who have limited space around the house.

They are attached to a frame by means of springs.
No matter how hard the child rides the horse, there is no risk of toppling over or running over other things or people in the room.
The only thing you need to do to care for a spring rocking toy is to keep the springs adequate oiled for smooth movement.
No matter which kind of rocking horse you have, it is also important to take note of its weight capacity and to abide by it in order to prevent damage and injury.