No one person or place can be credited with the birth of rocking horses. Some say that they were first heard of in Germany, but there are no definitive records. Rocking horses became very popular as luxury children's toys by the late 18th century in different parts of Europe. Initially they were only seen in rich households, notably among English aristocrats who came up with a standard design and colour scheme (dapple gray painted, wooden horse on a curved wooden bow rocker).
In 1880 an American inventor, Philip Marqua came up with the glider mounting for rocking horses which proved safer and more stable than the traditional bow rocker.
Although originally a rich person's toy, the rocking horse spread to middle class homes under the Victorians. For a long time poorer children made do with hobby horses (a horse's head mounted on a stick). Although we think of them as merely toys, the rocking horse may have been considered an early educational tool, in social circles where it was considered essential that young aristocratic men turn into good horsemen.
In 1880 an American inventor, Philip Marqua came up with the glider mounting for rocking horses which proved safer and more stable than the traditional bow rocker.
Although originally a rich person's toy, the rocking horse spread to middle class homes under the Victorians. For a long time poorer children made do with hobby horses (a horse's head mounted on a stick). Although we think of them as merely toys, the rocking horse may have been considered an early educational tool, in social circles where it was considered essential that young aristocratic men turn into good horsemen.
