Gifttree NZ Rocking Horses 🐴

 
🌟 Gifttree NZ Rocking Horses 🐴

• Medieval Roots ➡️ Evolved from hobby horses.
• Victorian Elegance ➡️ Safety stands & secret compartments.
• Customizable ➡️ Choose mane color, name engraving.

👩‍👦 Customer Reviews:

1. Sarah, Auckland 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟: "Absolutely adorable! The engraved name adds a special touch. My son loves it!"
2. James, Wellington 🌟🌟🌟🌟: "Sturdy and beautifully crafted. A bit heavier than expected but overall great."
3. Emma, Christchurch 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟: "The secret compartment is a hit! Perfect for storing little treasures. Highly recommend."

Perfect as a keepsake gift that combines tradition with personalization! 🎁👶

The history of the rocking horse is indeed a fascinating journey through time, reflecting changes in craftsmanship, materials, and cultural preferences.

Here's a brief overview:

1. Medieval Origins - The Hobby Horse: The precursor to the rocking horse was the hobby horse, popular in the Middle Ages. It was a simple toy consisting of a fake horse's head attached to a stick.
   
2. 16th Century - The Barrel Horse: By the 16th century, the barrel horse emerged. This toy was more sophisticated, featuring a circular log (mimicking the horse's back) supported by four legs and topped with a fake horse head.
   
3. 17th Century - Invention of Bow Rockers: The rocking horse as we know it began to take shape in the early 17th century with the invention of bow rockers. This significant development introduced the rocking motion to horse toys. However, these early rocking horses had their drawbacks - they were heavy and had a high center of gravity, making them prone to tipping over.
   
4. Victorian Innovations - Safety and Secret Compartments: The Victorian era brought substantial improvements to the design of rocking horses. The introduction of the 'safety stand' and the concept of making the horses hollow revolutionized their design, making them lighter and more stable. Additionally, this era saw the incorporation of secret compartments in the horse's underbelly, ideal for storing family heirlooms like photographs, mint coins, and locks of baby hair.
   
5. Queen Victoria's Influence: The dappled grey rocking horse became particularly popular during the Victorian era, partly due to Queen Victoria's fondness for them. Her preference significantly boosted the popularity of rocking horses.
   

In modern times, the craftsmanship of rocking horses continues to evolve. Today, you can find rocking horses that are not only safe (with the pendulum style being a notable example) but also customizable. Features like choosing the mane color and personalizing the horse with a name engraved on the side runners make these toys unique and cherished gifts.

It's clear that the rocking horse has transcended its role as a mere children's toy to become a symbol of heritage, craftsmanship, and familial legacy. The possibility of adding personal touches and storing precious memories within makes each piece a treasured part of family history.