Back in February 2022 we went on a trip to the Griffith area of NSW and while there visited a lady who restored rocking horses. Seeing all the rocking horses in her museum – both restored and unrestored, got me interested in having a go at restoring one. (Visit the Facebook page for Rocking Horse Restorations here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100037095924620 ).
Libby from Rocking Horse Restorations indicated that I would probably have to pay over $300 for an unrestored horse – but I was lucky enough to find one locally for $150. This is the horse shown in the picture above.
It was structurally quite sound – but with numerous scratches, dings and chipped paint (which was not the original paint design anyway). The frame had been chewed (or scratched) at the ends by a dog or cat. When used it squeaked. And all the add-ons (saddle, bridle, halter, mane & tail) were not original and not very well done. I had my project!
I found out that the original horse was a Roebuck #3 – which means it was made by the Roebuck Company in Sydney sometime prior to 1972.
My plan is:
- to separate the horse and frame,
- round the ends of the frame to remove the chewed area and then repaint it
- remove all the add-ons to the horse
- sand and patch the body of the horse
- obtain a kit for the saddle, bridle, mane, tail etc from Libby at Rocking Horse Restorations
- Paint the base colour on the horse
- send it to my mother-in-law for the rest of the painting (details around eyes, nose & mouth as well as the dark patches on the body)
- Cover all the new paint with floor varnish to give it a strong protective surface
- Fit all the add-ons
- Reassemble horse and frame
As I go through each major step, I’ll write a new blog covering that step.