Sallys Rocking Horses Ltd

19/01/2026

The Stevenson Brothers, Tony and Marc have been making rocking horses for forty years now. They have established a reputation for quality probably not matched since the heyday of Victorian-Edwardian rocking horse makers.
This splendid, majestic horse is typical of their marque. Now over twenty years old, but still as good as new. An extra large horse, well made and sturdy enough for the largest rider. The superlatives could go on, why not take a closer look on this link.

Antique rocking horses from English antique rocking horse dealer.

15/11/2024

Probably our best rocking horse at the moment is Neddy Brown. A large classic Lines, everything a treasured antique horse should be. It has had sympathetic restoration in the past, but that in itself has aged, yet a fully functional rocking horse and so pleasing on the eye. For the ultimate family heirloom for Christmas, at the bargain price of under £2,500,

12/11/2024

Haddon Rocking Horses have been making fine GRP horses since the 1970s. The brand has changed hands and move location several times since then and with the demise of long standing makers such as Collinsons, they now lay claim to be Britain's oldest surviving rocking horse maker. This post is about the smaller "Pony" model, I have always thought them more pleasing and quite honestly sufficiently large for a family rocking horse. Bearing the early Wallingford badge, this horse must be getting on for 50 years old. One wonders were the time has gone, and yet still such a lovely present for Christmas for some lucky child(ren).
https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse-28.html

03/11/2024

The most common rocking horse mounting today is the marqua stand, which started to replace the traditional bow from 1880 onwards. However there were other designs, now largely forgotten. The Jubilee stand mounted the horse between four posts. It had the disadvantage of taking up more space and being harder to move or store. The example in today's post was made by Invicta Toys in the 1920s. "Harry" as we have called him is fully restored to a high standard and is now available at a reduced price of £1195.
View him at
https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse-02.html

02/06/2024

One problem with antiques for many people is "condition". In an era of almost flawless manufacturing, imperfection is seen as detrimental, yet an antique has to have "flaws" to demonstrate it's uniqueness and attest it's age.
If anything could be made with a 3D printing machine, how do we know that which is antique? On the other hand some antiques can become so battered and in such poor condition, who would want to give them space?
This post is about a beautiful rocking horse that has been restored, but so lightly and carefully it retains all that character that goes with being near 120 years old.
Now reduced to £2750, still a lot of money, but this is a big horse with lots of character. Love him.

https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse-25.html

22/05/2024

Undoubtedly our most stunning horse is Pegasus. He is literally a winged horse, made by the late Robert Illes of Withers, he is one of the most innovative of many designs Robert came up with. His other masterpiece being a Unicorn rocking horse used by Waterstones, the book store to promote the Harry Potter books when they were launched.
He does demand and deserve some space to show him off, reaching up to 6ft on the right hand wing. The wings have a slightly different turn reflecting his head being turned slightly to the left, so it gives the appearance that this flying horse is turning that way.
You can see more of this stunning horse on along with a new price.

https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse-11.html

08/05/2024

I like originality and condition, so this post subject ticks those boxes as a very rare Paterson Edwards bow rocking horse. He's had some new tack, but his essential quality is being over a 100 years old with all the original paintwork and condition that goes with it. Now reduced by £500, worth a look if you value genuine antiques in the age of newness.
You can view him on
https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse-31.html

02/05/2024

Sometimes identifying an antique requires a little dectective work. The popular Lines Sportiboy model, roughly from 1925 to 1940 has a number of identifying features, it's stamped rocking brackets, it's bowler hat style covers and some metal badges.
Except the latter are often lost... However even on over restored horses there is some residual indication what was there... if you know what to look for. Nails may leave actual holes in the wood, dark stains or just some roughing of the surface where they were, but traces they are.
So we can date this horse to the earlier period they were in production when a round badge, secured by two nails was in use. Say 1925-30.
https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse-27.html

22/04/2024

A new acquistion was made by a John Marriott of Bedford, circa 1980. This is a fairly well carved horse, finished as a dapple grey stands 46" tall. At £650 for a horse of this size and quality, well worth a look. Go to

Beautifully restored Lines Sportiboy rocking horse from established antique rocking horse dealer.

09/04/2024

A classic antique, just coming up to 100 years old are the Lines Bros sportiboys, mostly made between 1925-40. They were always a very attractive horse, with a distinctive detachable saddle, bowler had style pillar and iron covers and either the early round, or later triangular metal badges as the company began using the Triang label. Fully restored like this one, they are ready for another 100 years, all now reduced to £1250.

View him on
https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse24.html

02/04/2024

As antique dealers we’ve always liked to have a broad collection, the rare and unusual appeal to us. So today’s post is about a rare four poster rocking horse from Invicta Toys of Kent, circa 1920s. The four poster design, often referred to as a jubilee stand, was originally patented by the famous Lines company. It was one of a number of designs intended to improve on the classic bow rocker then prevalent.
It also has an interesting spring mechanism, designed to give additional movement to the standard rocking action.
This horse has been comprehensive restored, it is therefore in excellent condition and working order. Reduced from £2500, it’s a good buy at £1495.

View him on
https://www.sallysrockinghorses.com/Antique-Rocking-Horse42.html

30/03/2024

Article #1
When commencing restoration on a rocking horse, the restorer should ask themselves just how far they want to take this. Obviously a horse in poor condition, possibly without much age might require a full restoration, woodwork, paintwork and tack. Such projects require a range of skills, much time and some material, but presumably worth it is the outcome is making an item at least as good as new and maybe better.
As dealers and restorers of fine antique rocking horses, we often take a different view. In an age addicted to “newness”, the true value of an antique is precisely the little imperfections and knocks that it has gained over the years. A good antique should be in good condition, but it should also have some “condition” to demonstrate it’s age. This could be the patina of old paintwork or ###.
Before starting a restoration project, ask yourself if less can be more. If the horse is otherwise sound, what parts actually need replacing?
A good proportion of what you see on a rocking horse is the hair, or not if that has worn away and fallen off. Simply replacing the mane and tail might be all you need to give an old horse a new lease of life.
On replacing horse hair, our website may be able to help you obtain the right hair for your project.

Materials and fittings for repairing your rocking horse or restoration project.