Guild of Rocking Horse Makers

What is the Guild?

The purpose of the Guild is to promote and encourage the traditional craft of Rocking Horse making and restoring.

If you have made a rocking horse you can join this exclusive association of makers, dedicated to keeping alive the great tradition of the craft, sharing ideas and exploring new developments.

Benefits join

The purpose of The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers is to promote and encourage the traditional Craft of Making and Restoring Rocking Horses.

Your Invitation to join & become a Member of the Guild.

Any person who has made or fully restored a Rocking Horse can apply to become a member of the Guild.

Criteria for Membership.

To be accepted as a Member of the Guild, you must have made or restored a Rocking Horse - it's that simple. The Rocking Horse doesn't have to be big or elaborate or even original, but it does have to have been made / restored substantially, by the person for whom Membership is sought. Applications are accepted from makers and restorers (or on behalf of), amateur or professional.

Purchased components, accessories and fittings may be used, but the majority of work must have been completed by the maker / restorer. The principal material used will be wood, though horses made from other materials will be accepted, provided the making / restoring involved a high level of input from the applicant personally.

Members are invited to send in photographs, letters, anecdotes and any information that may be of interest to the Guild, especially from Members about the making of their own rocking horses. These may be shared on our social media pages.

Commercial Agreements

In order to sell any items from The Rocking Horse Shop, you must also apply for a Commercial Agreement. Joining the Guild does not automatically qualify you for this benefit. Contact us for more information.

What about Joint Memberships?

Two people (e.g. a married couple or partners) can apply for Guild Membership on a single application. We would expect this would normally be when each person has made a significant contribution to the making of the rocking horse(s). Only one membership number, one Certificate of Membership will be awarded. Both names will appear on the Certificate and on the Roll of Membership, and there is no additional subscription cost for Joint Memberships. However, offers for Guild Members may be restricted, at The Guild's discretion, to 'one per member' and the first named person on The Roll of Membership shall be deemed to be the 'principal member' to whom offers are made available.

What are Honorary Memberships?

A few Rocking Horse makers (a very few!) who have been professional makers for many years and/or who have made a significant contribution to the craft, have been offered an 'Honorary Membership'. (For example Clive Green, who has been a maker and restorer for many years, is author of Restoring Rocking Horses, and is a past Chairman of The British Toymakers Guild, accepted our offer of Honorary Membership, and is Guild Member No l.)

Use of the Guild Logo.

The Guild logo is a unique design which Guild Members have permission to use, for example on letterheads, but the Guild reserves the right to withdraw this permission if it is deemed that the logo is being used in an inappropriate way. It should also be understood that Guild Membership in no way implies any form of guarantee of quality or fitness for purpose. Memberships are valid for one year and must be renewed, only up to date memberships may display the logo.

Benefits join

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the warm welcome I received last week on the Head Carving Course. It was a genuine pleasure to spend time in the work shop with a highly skilled and creative tutor. The 3 days provided ample opportunity to share this enthusiasm and to learn from a master craftsman. Thank you again for your support, guidance and timely advice. I feel equipped and inspired to complete my very own medium rocking horse which I am sure will become a munched loved addition to our family.

Steve Kibble, Cornwall

This is just to say how delighted I am with our restored rocking horse which arrived safely yesterday. The handsome horse seems a far cry from the poorly horse we dropped off in May and it is now in pride of place in the dining room awaiting introduction to the grandchildren next week.

It has been a pleasure to deal with your enthusiastic team and the result is great. It arrived on time as agreed and on budget.

Rosemary Burke

I have to agree with all the positive reviews already made on the 3 day workshop on carving a rocking horse head. I experienced a very well organised course on learning the techniques for using the tools on solid wood without messing up the head right away, leading on to shaping the head as you would like. Just follow what is demonstrated step by step and you will end up with a very professional looking horse’s head and a good working knowledge of how to use the tools. I had already assembled the Large Rocky and carved the body but I needed some practise on a head. This was just what I needed. I am now full of enthusiasm to complete the Large Rocky. Most enjoyable, full of fun and a fabulous active holiday. There were six of us on the course and there were six good looking heads after only three days. I could not recommend this workshop more highly. The only negative is that I had to go home afterwards.

David Smith

I just want to say how wonderful our new rocking horse that you delivered last week is. It really is a fantastic work of art and I wish to express my sincere thanks to all who worked on it. It really did exceed all my expectations. So a massive thank you to everyone.

Brian Simpson, Yorkshire

I am writing to express my appreciation for the great customer service I have received from The Rocking Horse shop during making a Large Rocky Rocking Horse. On the three occasions I either phoned or emailed I was given helpful and friendly advice which was followed by a speedy delivery.

Rob Stephens

What a great way to spend 3 days! It was with some trepidation that I arrived at The Rocking Horse Shop to become a student at the 'Carve a Head' course. I had minimal experience with woodwork having made some small wooden toys, but had never tried my hand at carving. The first thing to be said is how friendly everyone was, only 2 mins after entering the premises I had a cup of coffee in my hand.

You were never rushed, everything from carving techniques to use of special power tools was very well explained. All 5 students ended up with rocking horse heads that we could be proud of. We had learned the basics of a great craft and had some fun along the way. I have the rest of the timber pack and am now looking forward to completing the whole rocking horse.?If you have ever considered trying your hand at carving or making a complete rocking horse, then put it off no longer, this is the course for you. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Paul Lattimore

We love the rocking horse - it is absolutely as we wanted it. Thank you!

Denise Caruth Stevenson

Thank you for the rocking horse received. Packed extremely well. Exactly as ordered. Real leather saddle and straps looks absolutely beautiful. Delighted with the product.
Full marks to the company, for the way the order the has been handled in the time specified. Would recommend this family run company.
Thank you so much.

Margaret Land

Would highly recommend the Rocking Horse shop to anyone thinking of buying a horse. Extremely impressed with the high quality horse and your service. Thank you so much.

Nicola Cassia

I am lost for words and quite emotional just looking at my restoration, he looks absolutely amazing.

The whole team have done an incredible job. I can't believe that you have all restored him given the terrible state he was in. But that is down to the skill and craftsmanship of the ladies and gentlemen at The Rocking Horse Shop. Would you pass on my thanks (which doesn't seem enough) to all involved in his transformation!

J Real

I am lost for words and quite emotional just looking at my restoration, he looks absolutely amazing.

J Real