Question: Can I do it? The answer, in short, is YES! Can I really? Me? Make a rocking horse? Having said that, making a full size carved rocking horse is likely to be quite a challenge, especially if you've never tried to carve anything like this (or at all) before. 1. Watch either Making Rocking Horses (the video/DVD which shows you how to make a traditional carved rocking horse) or Making Rocking Horses 2 (the new DVD which shows you how to make a laminated carved rocking horse). Both these films explain the whole process thoroughly (and the laminated horses are easier!). 2. Start with one of our simpler designs. For example: the simple version of 'The Swinger' (Plan 116) involves no carving at all. Or the 'Little Rocky' (Plan No 124), which is not only a splendid horse for small children to ride and enjoy, it is a great project for beginners. If you use one of our Timber Packs, all Little Rocky's parts are pre-cut out ready to assemble, and it is all explained and demonstrated in the Making Rocking Horses 2 DVD. 3. If you are determined to make a traditional carved rocking horse, come on one of our Carving Courses. These 3-day courses are designed to be a thorough introduction to traditional hand carving methods, and you will go home with your head held high and full of confidence! Help! I've got stuck, what can I do?
Question: My horse is cracking, what can I do? Answer: First of all, dont panic! It is not at all unusual to get cracking, especially hairline cracking, normally along the glued joint lines. The only way to try to ensure that this does not happen is to start with good quality well seasoned (usually kiln dried) stock, keep it and work on it in conditions (particularly with regard to humidity) similar to that in which the horse will be living after completion, use a quality adhesive (I recommend Cascamite) and make your joints as good as you possibly can. Even so, hairline cracks do sometimes show up after gessoing (partly because the gessoing process wets the surface a lot) in which case they should be filled with a soft filler worked well into the cracks and sanded smooth, after allowing sufficient time for the timber to thoroughly dry out, before rubbing down and painting. Question: I am making a Large Rocky laminated horse and am keen on the Super Accessory set and I just wanted to check if the Jasper Saddle will fit on the Large Rocky with a saddle block, or does the saddle block need to be carved off for this saddle? and also checking that this accessory set is suitable generally for the Large Rocky? Answer: You are correct the saddle block does need to be removed for the Jasper saddle but once this has been done the super kit will fit your horse but you do need to tell us it is a Rocky you are making as the swing irons are slightly different. Question: Can you tell me what paint to use on a rocking horse? Answer: We use acrylic paint to paint our horses, this is a water based paint and therefore complies with toy safety regulations. We do sell a paint pack which includes everything you need to paint your horse including instructions. Question: I have bought a rocking horse from an antique shop and I want to restore it. How do I find out wether is is small, medium or large? Answer: To find the size of your horse we need to know the length of it's body, straight along the side from shoulder to rump. If it is 18" or less then it is a small, 19" - 24" it is a medium, 25" - 29" it is a large anymore than 30" it is an extra large. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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