The Rocking Horse Shop

Since 1976, The Rocking Horse Shop has built a reputation for crafting beautiful, hand-made rocking horses. But did you know their expertise extends far beyond toy-shops and nurseries? Their bespoke work for theme parks, TV and film sets shows how artistry and craftsmanship can transform props into show-stoppers. Here’s how they do it — and some of their standout projects.

What We Specialise In

The Rocking Horser Shop offers custom work for film, television, theme parks — essentially anywhere that imagination needs to be made real. If you have a request from something very specific (say, bridles for an early 1900s carousel, hair for a Roman helmet, or a full-size rocking horse for a set), this is their domain

Everything is made to international toy-manufacturer safety and compliance standards, so while aesthetics are high on the list, safety and durability are taken seriously. We also offer trade and bulk discounts, making large-scale or recurring work more affordable for production companies or theme parks.

Case Studies: Creative Wins

Here are a few examples of their work to see this craftsmanship in action:

• “Victoria” for ITV Studios (2016): The challenge was to design and build a rocking horse for a nursery set for a Queen. This meant special considerations: it had to look regal, be fit for camera, and withstand bright lights and heat on set. After filming, the horse didn’t get boxed away — it now stands on display in The Rocking Horse Shop’s showroom

• Theme Park Bridles: Many classic carousels are made of wood, some of fibreglass. Over time, the bridles, the leather tack, and the tails wear out or lose their visual energy. The shop can supply and fit new bridles and tails to both wooden and fibreglass horses, giving them a fresh look and renewed charm.

• Horsehair Bundles: These are more niche but fascinating — hair bundles in a range of colours are used for decorative effects: crests on Roman helmets, weapon ornamentation, or even whimsical uses like topping a giant “pineapple” for a theme park display.