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Age and Size Suggestions:
This may help you. The height of the saddle seat from the floor is a good starting point. Measure your child’s inseam and compare the saddle seat height. You can determine if the child will be able to put his/her leg into the stirrup, then over the saddle. The stirrup strap length is adjustable. It is higher than the floor, similar to a bicycle peddle and bicycle seat. If your rider is under 18 months, this is not a skill they can master.
The saddle seat height can be more than the inseam measurement. The stirrup strap lengths are adjustable, allowing you to adjust the saddle fit to your child. Stirrups are around 7.5" from the floor on medium size horses, like Flica (18.5" saddle seat) and around 9" from the floor on large horses like Catalena (23.5" saddle seat). Austin / Winston (Small size) are the best pony's for children under 18 months. Little Bit is the best rocker for 4 to 13 months. Generally (Medium size) like Flica, is 1.5 yrs - 3 yrs, (Large Size) like Catalena, is 3 yrs - 5 years and (XL Size) like Anthony, is 5+ yrs including grandparents. Our youngest senior, so far, to receive a rocking hoses as a gift is 74 or 888 mo.
Decide if they are going to use the stirrups, as a step to get on the horse, or a leg-swing over the saddle from the ground. The saddle seat height is an important factor and affects whether or not a child can safely get on and off the horse by themselves. Dismounting with the stirrups is more difficult than mounting. All Medium and Small horses have wooden hand grips for safety and security for young riders.
If you are buying a larger horse for a smaller child, ridding will require more adult supervision. All children should be supervised while riding. Young children can start rocking, forget to hold on, turn loose and fall off.
Like learning to walk, speak and ride a bike, each child is unique in their own development schedule. After the child is walking, they will begin to master stirrup mounting. Rocking comes easy at a younger age, dismounting is more complicated. Children need more adult supervision if the child is not familiar with stirrup-step-up or have not fully grown into the leg-swing over from ground level.
---- GLIDER or ROCKER --- How a SWING HORSE came to be. Early Victorian rocking horses were mounted at full stretch on deeply curved bow rockers. When ridden these elegant rockers would gallop around the house, posing a threat to riders, furniture and onlookers. So, in 1880 an American in Cincinnati obtained a British patent on his invention, the SWINGER or "SAFETY STAND". This proved very successful and steadily replaced the large bow rockers and became the style of choice. The advantage to a glider is it will stay put where a rocker will gallop, but not with the speed of the deep bows of 100+ years ago.
"I have a 1 1/2 year old and 4 year old; which horse would be best"? Answer: two horses. Think about a bicycle. If you want your child to use it, buy the size they can ride. If you want them to "grow in to it" buy the size they can hope to ride some day. Now for the fun part, pick your horse and take lot's of pictures, Jerry. I’m trying to select one of your horses for my 18-month old. I’m looking at Flica. I also have a 3-year old that will be playing on the horse too but it’s being purchased for the little guy. Here’s my question…. Is the 26.5” height measurement from the top of the head to the floor? Do you think the large-size horses would be too big for the 18-month old? Thanks, Judy Strauss -- YES; it will scare him and he will not be able to get on and off. Also he is likely to turn loose and fall off backward on his head. The three year old and all others under 250 lb can ride Flica. Regards, Jerry Thank You so much for suggesting
that we order the smaller horse for our grandson Jake who just
turned ONE.....It arrived in California before we did by Fed Ex. Our
Son was advised by the Fed Ex driver to check out the contents of
the box because the box was badly crushed.
I just wanted to let
you guys know that my neice received her rocking horse on
Saturday.
Everyone in the
family loves it!!! Thank you for creating such beautiful rocking
horses, and for your efficient shipping. When Emma gets bigger -
I'm sure I'll be ordering the next size up...then she can start
her very own barn. Thanks again. Tracy Stuby
Just wanted to let you know Winston arrived one day early!! Thank YOU!!! Our granddaughter LOVES him and I think he set the mood for the "real" pony rides at her party....she loved the real ponies as well!! We followed your advice about the size of pony we needed and Winston is perfect for her (one year old). I can't and won't stop talking about how wonderful your website is, and what a fantastic job you do with customer service!! You have a lot to proud of with your company....Once again thank you for everything!! Peace, Debbie Haisten
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