Merlen Dotted Rocking Horse - Cream

This is a rocking horse with real character: a cream fabric pony with a dotted coat, a long shaggy yarn mane and tail, sleepy closed eyes and a shaped saddle, standing on a pair of curved wooden rockers. It is made from polyester and poplar wood, and you can see where each goes: the fabric body sits on a poplar base with the grain left showing. At 70cm long, 34cm wide and 56cm tall it is a proper floor-standing size rather than a shelf ornament, yet narrow enough to sit between a bed and a bookcase.

It belongs in a playroom, a child's bedroom or a clear spot in the living room, and it earns its floor space twice over: ridden when there is rocking to be done, then left standing as a cheerful ornament the rest of the time. A wooden handle runs through the head for little hands to grip, and flat wooden footrests sit on the rockers either side. The maker gives a maximum load of 60KG. It makes a lovely gift for a birthday or to stand under the tree at Christmas, and its calm, simple look sits as comfortably among grown-up furniture as it does among toys.

The rockers are joined by wooden crossbars beneath the hooves, which are finished in a contrast fabric, and the mane and tail are loose lengths of chunky yarn that invite a stroke. The horse weighs 3KG, light enough for an adult to lift from room to room or tuck aside when the floor is needed. The maker's assembly instructions come as a PDF download. For styling, give it a flat-woven or low-pile rug to rock on and a little space around the rockers, and let a basket of toys or a stack of picture books keep it company.

Assembly instructions (PDF)

What is the rocking horse made of?

It is made from polyester and poplar wood: the fabric horse sits on a poplar base of curved rockers, crossbars and footrests, with a wooden handle through the head.

How big is it and how heavy?

It is 70cm long, 34cm wide and 56cm tall, and it weighs 3KG, so an adult can easily carry it from one room to another.

What age is it for?

The maker recommends it from 12 months, and it stands at a comfortable floor height for a small rider to climb on.

How much weight can it take?

The maker gives a maximum load of 60KG, which is the figure to go by when deciding who will ride it.

Does it need putting together?

It goes together at home, and the maker's assembly instructions come as a PDF download, so you can read through the steps before you start.

Is there something to hold?

Yes. A wooden handle runs through the horse's head for gripping, and flat wooden footrests on the rockers give the rider somewhere to put their feet.