How do I care for a painted wood horse?

Keep the sculpture away from direct sunlight and fluctuating radiator heat to prevent the timber from splitting and the paint from flaking. Dust gently with a dry, soft cloth and avoid modern chemical cleaners. Leather tack and horsehair elements benefit from occasional gentle maintenance, but preserve the aged surface integrity rather than attempting a restoration that strips the history.

Were these horses toys or decorative objects?

Many began life as functional children's toys, specifically the rocking horses that populated Victorian nurseries. Others served commercial purposes as fairground attractions or parade models. Over time, surviving examples transitioned into decorative sculptures and folk art pieces valued for their sculptural presence rather than active play.

How can I tell a carousel horse from a rocking horse?

Carousel horses, or gallopers, generally feature mounting holes where iron bars secured them to the platform of the ride. Their postures are often more dramatic, capturing galloping motion with flying manes. Rocking horses, by contrast, are constructed to balance on wooden rockers or stand within fixed trestle frames, engineered for a forward-and-back motion.