Sean’s Rocking Horse

Viewer Project - By Sean Kelsey from Topeka, KS
Added on January 12, 2014

I searched all over the internet for a good rocking horse plan. I wanted to build one for my son (first child) and ended up finally getting if finished to give to him for Christmas last year. Off and on it took 2+ years. Kinda hard to work on it when the shop is in the basement. I usually had to help take care of him when he was awake and when he was asleep, I couldn’t work on it. He loves it, as you can see from a picture taken Christmas morning!

I built the horse out of walnut and everything else is oak. The mane and tail is yarn. I put on 2 coats of clear danish oil followed up by 2 coats of clear poly. I made sure before doing the poly to write with a sharpie on the bottom To, From and the year. In between coats I lightly rubbed it down with some steel wool. Thanks for taking a look.

Discussion

Dan January 12, 2014 2:38 pm

How are the mane and tail attached?

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Sean January 13, 2014 2:49 pm

I drilled individual holes into the head piece for the mane and used the head side of a finishing nail to push the yarn (folded in half across the head of the nail) into the holes which got some titebond glue in them.
For the tail, I cut several pieces the same length and used a shorter piece to tie them off. I then grabbed a scrap piece of wood with the same size of hole i drilled in the body and kept adding to the tail size until it fit fairly snug into the hole. I then put some glue in the hole and a little on the end of the yarn and inserted it into the drilled hole.

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- Steve January 13, 2014 6:59 pm
  
  I just built the same horse for my grand daughter. I used hard maple for the whole project. I never made anything like that and it took a lot of time to get everything just rite.
  It was a fun project, but I don’t know if I would build another one. I figure I spent almost 100 hours on it and it turned out great but lots of work.
  
  Reply
Grantman January 18, 2014 3:56 am

Cute kid. Great smile.

I can’t wait to make a rocker for my grandchildren. Gotta get the kids out of college first, though. :-) Have you seen some of the motorcycle rocker plans? Dinosaurs? There are some real fun plans available these days. Nice job overall.

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Rick January 18, 2014 4:20 pm

That last picture says it all. Well worth the work.

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KATHRYN MADDEN May 7, 2014 11:38 pm

Finally getting a chance again to look at your site! You do fantastic work! I have always loved woodworking since a little girl, but have not had the chance much to develope the art. Raising a family and now age 69, have had 6 heart attacks. But I can still enjoy your site and the projects you have done. We bought our first son a wood rocking horse late 60’s and it was made quite well, but not as strong as yours. The head cracked in later years. Thought might be able to use metal (like a bridle) to mend it. What a great job you did and so beautiful wood! I love all the different types of wood you can use. I had forgotten all the beautiful projects you have done! Keep up the good work! Do you ever sell any of your items or make them special order for people? Thank you for letting us admire your work!

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Jamie Miller November 20, 2014 8:05 am

Do you mind sharing the horse plans with the public, or how you came by them? My sister and brother-in-law have been searching for the best rocking horse for my niece for Christmas. They have finally found a great gentleman willing to build one. It may not be completed by Christmas day, but it will be a well constructed piece of art that will bring joy, happiness, and love for years to come. I am horrible with computer searches, so imagine my joy when I stumbled upon this link. I don’t know how to go from here to discover where you may have found your pattern. Please help! Thank you very much. Have a blessed day! Happy Thanksgiving. Have a very Merry Christmas!

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- JOE January 4, 2015 4:05 pm
  
  I saw your comment on wood whisperer. I made two rocking horses. I got the plans from
  U-bild.com . there are 2 types. I made the larger one first (It’s more difficult) then I realized my granddaughter wouldn’t be able to ride it until she was 2 years old so I made the more simple one. Both turned out good. They have full size patterns and if you are having difficulty you can call them to ask for advice.
  
  Reply
Steve January 3, 2015 7:27 pm

Check out the family traditions 45″ L-100 plans. Great horse, made one out of cherry & walnut and my daughters love it. I built the first one, then found another broken (white oak) at a thrift store. I’m trying to restore the second, but it has the fur/ yarn around it. The one page of the plans I can’t find is the one on how to run the fur through the drill holes. :-( (I left the fur out of the one I built.

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Larry June 16, 2016 7:46 am

Just finishing horse number 7 for my grandkids. Using full two inch oak for the rockers. I have used a new mop head for the mane and tail. Having trouble getting it to accept the dye. I also sign the bottom with my name and year, also “brand” them with child’s initials on back hip.

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Robbie January 28, 2017 10:28 pm

We really want one for our 3 yo can you email us a quote on one.

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- Kyle Fowler October 11, 2021 4:53 pm
  
  How much are they
  
  Reply
Tom Rowe October 7, 2018 6:07 pm

Where did you get the yarn from the mane and tail?

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Tim Johnson October 23, 2018 12:15 pm

I would to have the plans.You did a awesome job.

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Marcy Sargeant November 16, 2023 8:18 pm

I’m replacing the mane of yarn on my horse with real horse hair.
Any tips on how to apply it?

Reply

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Sean’s Rocking Horse

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