Welcome to our latest Accessories Catalogue

Welcome to our latest Accessories Catalogue
For almost two decades Stephen McGreal was employed in the shipbuilding and aircraft industries
and devoted his spare time to creating wooden toys. His hand crafted toys proved popular;
especially the rocking horses. In 1988 Stephen bid farewell to industry and established Wirral
Rocking Horses. Since then the time served carpenter has gained a wealth of experience through
making hundreds of new rocking horses and restoring vintage rocking horses to their former glory;
these days we concentrate on the manufacture of our range of accessories.
During the early days, Stephen experienced
problems sourcing the obscure materials
and fittings required to make or refurbish a
rocking horse, and gradually developed a
range of fittings to fulfil his needs. Due to
the demand for our accessories they have
since taken over the family business. In his
spare time Stephen has researched and
published eight books on the First World
War.
We try to offer the best possible service for
customers and this includes free
professional telephone advice on rocking
horse matters. All the items listed are
suitable for new or vintage traditional 100%
fully carved rocking horses. In general the
manes, saddles and bridles are unsuitable for fitting on soft material or fur covered horses.
The range of manes, tails, harness and tack are handcrafted
on the premises. Quality is paramount, the leather
accessories are made from the finest quality British bridle
leather; there are five colours of leather available Black,
Havana (dark brown), Conker (mid brown), Red, and London
Tan.
There are far too many makers to name specifically, but we
also produce replica saddles and accessories appropriate for
restoring Collinson rocking horses; these fairly common
horses were produced in Liverpool between 1886 and the
1990’s. The Liverpool made horses are recognisable by their
bold paintwork (shown on the right), corduroy saddle and
two diamond shapes on the top rail of the safety stand.
Please remember,
when restoring vintage rocking horses, ‘best practice’ is
to retain as much as possible of the original paintwork
and fittings. However, neglected horses in a state of
disrepair like this Leeway Patterson horse do make ideal
restoration projects.
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Please note we are mail order only.
To place your order please phone during weekday
business hours. U.K. postage and packaging is included in
the prices. We do not despatch orders overseas.
Due to card processing fees and administration the
minimum order value is £10.
Rocking Horse Plans drawn by Stephen McGreal
The following plans are designed for
woodworkers who have a good level of
workshop experience. All shaped parts are
shown full size and only some simple marking
off of the stand is necessary. The drawings
include a scaled down side elevation of the
horse and stand as a guide to assembly. The
plans are accompanied with 10 pages of
extensive building instructions and 3 pages of
36 coloured images showing the various stages
of construction.
Small Fully Carved Horse mounted on a safety stand.
Plan 001
£14.75
By using this detailed two sheet plan and the comprehensive instructions you can create a toy
measuring approximately 42” long by 33” high and 18” wide (1,067 x 840 x 458 mm). The horse is
suitable for supervised children between the ages of two and six or perhaps as an attractive objet
d’art.
Medium Fully Carved Horse mounted on a safety stand.
Plan 002
£14.75
By using this detailed two sheet plan and comprehensive instructions you can create a toy
measuring approximately 48” long by 41” high and 23” wide (1,220 x 1,040 x 585 mm). This is the
most popular size of rocking horse and is suitable for riders up to aged ten.
Large Fully Carved Horse mounted on a safety stand.
Plan 003
£18.75
By using this detailed three sheet plan and comprehensive instructions you can create a toy
measuring approximately 60” long by 51” high and 24” wide (1,525 x 1,295 x 610).
We do not sell the timber for making horses. Before purchasing a plan check your local
timber supplier sells hardwood in 9x2 and 9x3 inch sections for the body and 1.25 inches for the
legs.
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Glass Eyes
Pairs of first grade fine quality amber colour glass eyes with black pupils on wire
10 mm amber for a half size horse
12 mm amber
16 mm amber for a small horse
20 mm amber for a medium horse
24 mm amber for a large horse
30 mm amber for an extra large horse
£4.50
£5.00
£5.50
£6.00
£7.00
£12.50
Pairs of fine quality clear glass eyes with a black pupil ideal for restoration
work. The back of the eyes are traditionally painted brown ochre by makers.
10 mm clear for a half size horse
12 mm clear
16 mm clear for a small horse
20 mm clear
24 mm clear for a large horse
£4.50
£5.00
£5.50
£6.00
£7.00
Stirrup Leather Hangers
A 19mm wide leather strap with rivetted D rings for hanging 19mm wide stirrup leathers from.
These are nailed onto the horse beneath the saddle.
Small approx 7 ½ inches (18.5 cm) overall
Large approx 13 inches (33cm) overall.
£7.50
£9.00
A pair of 25mm wide U shaped steel staples for suspending
stirrup leathers from.
(Often found recessed into the body of old horses.)
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£2.75
Gesso Pack
Traditional rocking horses are generally coated with a plaster
like substance known as Gesso which seals the wood in
preparation for painting. The Gesso is a water based solution
made from gilders whiting and rabbit skin glue. Our Gesso pack
weighs almost a kilo, and contains enough whiting and glue to
cover a large horse. Scrim and full instructions are also included.
Gesso Pack
£14.00
Dappling Pads
Two stockinet pads for applying dapples
£2.50
Hair on Hide Sets
These sets are ideal for restoration work or for new horses without a
groove in their neck. The sets are cured to British Standard
requirements. As the hair is a natural product each horse tail contains
flecks or shades of varying colours. The approximate measurements
for the base of the manes are a minimum of eight inches for a small
horse, ten inches for a medium and eleven inches for a large horse.
The forelock bases are two inches long. The mane, forelock and tail
sets are supplied in strips ready for fitting and include nails and fitting
instructions.
Black hair on hide sets
Small
Medium
Large
£60.00
£70.00
£75.00
Blonde hair on hide sets
Small
Medium
Large
£80.00
£90.00
£95.00
Grey hair on hide sets prices are priced as blonde sets subject to availability.
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Harness and Tack
The following size saddles are suitable for wooden carved horses of the following
dimensions.
Small
Medium
Large
suitable for horses with a 18 to 20 inch body
suitable for horses with a 23 to 25 inch body
suitable for horses with a 26 to 28 inch body
**Nail on saddles are not suitable for plush or simulated fur covered rocking horses**
The Oxton traditional nail on Leather Saddle set
A traditional machine stitched dark brown
leather saddle with three padded panels for
horses fitted with a saddle block. The seat is
soft grained leather with 2mm plus thick brown
leather flaps. We also offer this item with the
brown seat and London Tan flaps and
leatherwork if requested. The saddle set
includes nickel plated stirrup irons (or brass if
requested) saddle cloths in red with gold braid
edging, a pair of stirrup leathers with brassed
buckles, leather straps for the saddle block and
flaps , decorative upholstery pins and detailed
fitting instructions.
Unless notified we despatch the set shown.
When ordering, please remember to supply the size of the saddle required, and the leather
colour.
Small
Medium
Large
length of saddle 8” (205mm)
length of saddle 10” (255mm)
length of saddle 11“ (280mm)
£55.00
£60.00
£72.00
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Complete Oxton saddlery and harness set in dark havanna leather
The set comprises a three compartment soft
grained brown upholstery leather padded saddle
seat, with dark havanna 2mm plus thick flaps,
leather trim pieces, brass bit and rings, 12 feet of ½
(12mm) wide leather for a nail on bridle,
martingale, a 19mm tail trim, 3 brassed rosettes.
This is everything you need to complete the
leatherwork on a horse.
The straight part of the brass bit measures
Small- 2” (50mm) Medium- 2¼ (58mm) Large- 2½
(50mm).
BEST
SELLER
Small set
Medium set
Large set
£78.00
£83.00
£93.00
An example of a fitted Oxton saddle.
Melton Wool Underblanket Pairs
Wool Melton saddlecloths in red (as shown), navy blue,
bottle green or port colour edged with gold braid.
Small
Medium
Large
£9.00
£10.00
£12.00
If upgrading one of our full saddlery kits deduct £4.00
from the above price.
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Complete Oxton saddlery and harness set in Conker leather
Details, sizes and
prices are the same as
the similar Oxton set.
Soft dark brown
leather seat with
other leather in
conker colour.
Set also available in
London Tan leather
with a soft dark
brown seat.
Soft leather seats also available in London Tan or black.
The Pensby complete saddlery and harness kit
A complete leather saddlery kit made from
2mm thick conker colour leather, this is a
reddish brown colour. The two piece nail on
stitched saddle has two D rings built into the
saddle flaps for hanging the stirrup leathers
from. Kit includes nickel plated stirrups (or
brass if requested), 12 feet of ½ inch wide
leather sufficient for a nail on bridle,
martingale and reins, a brass bit and rings,
stirrup leathers with brassed buckles, three
rosettes, two types of upholstery and other
nails and fitting instructions. The bit sizes
are the same as described in the Oxton set.
Small set
Medium set
Large set
£90.00
£95.00
£105.00
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The Caldy complete saddlery and harness set
This kit is our top of the range set made
from 2mm plus thick Sedgewick’s bridle
leather, it’s simply the best. The set is
similar to the Pensby but includes our
deluxe brass stirrups, buckle on bridle
and cast brass buckles on all fittings.
Available in conker (as shown), black, tan
or dark havanna colour leather.
We need the colour and head
measurements of your horse to make
the custom made bridle and saddle. See
the How to measure section. The mane
set is not included in the kit.
Small set
Medium set
Large set
£125.00
£130.00
£140.00
Collinson style Corduroy Saddle
These saddles are reproduced from original
Collinson saddles but padded with fibre wadding to
comply with current safety regulations. We offer a
burgundy narrow striped corduroy saddle, with
vinyl saddle flaps. A pair of London Tan stirrup
leathers fitted with brassed buckles, leather straps
for the front and rear of the saddle and flaps plus
burgandy Collinson style under blankets with gold
braid edging. Detailed fitting instructions and
upholstery pins are included. The below sizes fit
most of the Collinson range of sizes as the front of
the original saddles often ran up the neck of the
horse. Stirrup leathers are shorter than usual and
match Collinson original lengths.
Small
Small
suitable for horses with a 18/19 inch body
for horses without a saddle block fitted
£38.00
£38.00
Medium
suitable for horses with a 23/24 inch body
£40.00
Large
suitable for horses with a 25/27 inch body
£45.00
Extra Large
suitable for horses with a 29/30 inch body
£49.00
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Stirrup Leathers
Nice quality riveted replacement stirrup leathers with
cast solid brass buckles.
Available in Black, Conker, Dark Havanna, (as shown),
London Tan or Red bridle leather.
Please advise the choice of colour.
Small
Medium
Large
20 inches (510 x 16mm) long
24inches (610 x 19mm) long
31 inches (788 x 19 mm) long
£15.75
£15.75
£17.75
Collinson Stirrup Leathers
Replacement London Tan colour stirrup leathers with brassed
buckles for a Collinson horse – these are shorter than those of
other makers. The tan leather on your vintage horse will have
darkened and the buckles now look like chrome.
Small
Medium
Large
Extra Large
19 inches (485 x 16mm) long
20 1/2 inches (520 x 19mm) long
24 inches (610 x 19mm) long
30inches (760 x 25mm) long
£15.75
£15.75
£17.75
£24.00
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Custom Made Buckle on Bridles
Add that extra bit of realism to your horse by fitting a buckle on leather bridle. Supplied in black,
dark Havana, Conker or London Tan, the riveted bridles have brass cast buckles, brass rings, brass
bit and leather reins. If requested when ordering we can fit nickel plated buckles and rings.
Supply the bridle dimensions requested at the rear of the catalogue and your choice of colour.
Custom made bridle
Small Bridle
Medium
Large
£40.00
£45.00
£49.00
Nail on bridle
The kit contains sufficient top quality 12mm wide by 2mm thick bridle leather, Small kits have 6
foot of leather and the larger sizes have 8 foot of leather. Also included are a standard brass bit and
rings. One of the straps is already riveted on to one end of the reins. Illustrated instructions, rivets,
wire nails and decorative pins are included.
Small
Medium or Large
£19.50
£23.00
The bit supplied will be either our standard size small, medium or large version. Fulmer bits are
an extra £3.00.
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Thank you looks great the [nail on bridle] fitting information
was very valuable and made it easy. Mrs M.P. Bradford.
Removable Riveted Martingale
This piece of 12mm wide leather tack fits around the horse’s neck. The lower end fits over the
saddle girth strap (if fitted) and the length is adjusted by a brass buckle.
Small
Medium
Large
£13.75
£13.75
£14.75
Please state small, medium or large and choice of colour
Please ensure you order the right size fittings for your horse. We will exchange items
bought in error, but do charge return postage when mailing out replacement items.
A century old Lines Bros tricycle horse we engineered and restored.
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Sedgewicks Quality Bridle Leather Strapping
The finest British bridle leather (Sedgewick’s)
strapping a minimum of four feet (1.2 m) long. The cut
edges are rounded and edge dyed, each length has
two scribed parallel lines.
The 2 mm plus thickness leather straps are available
in:
Black (top image), Red, Dark Havanna (in the middle),
Conker or London Tan (bottom image).
Please state choice of colour.
12mm per 48 inches (1.2 m) length
19mm
25mm
£8.00
£9.00
£15.75
Hand-cut in our workshop, other widths are available priced pr0-rata
The 2mm plus thick leather used on all our products is Sedgewicks bridle
shoulder, due to its excellent quality it is used by the Household Cavalry.
Replacement Reins with swivel cast brass or nickel plated rein end clips
An easy way to fit a new rein, these top quality reins simply click on. A choice of solid brass or nickel
plated swivel rein end clips on a leather rein to suit your horse.
Small
Medium
Large
(740mm long)
(965mm long)
(1090mm long)
£13.50
£13.50
£14.50
Amazing customer support and a fantastic product. Mrs S.P. Powys
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Bits
For brass bits please supply the measurement of the rear of the horse’s mouth and we will
make the bit to suit. For chain bits simply cut the links to suit your horse’s mouth.
Solid brass snaffle bit
£8.50
Collinson type NP chain bit
£6.00
Standard brass bit
£6.50
An example of a 2 1/4 inch bit
Buckles
The size refers to the width of the
strap suitable for the buckle.
12mm cast brass buckle
16mm cast brass buckle
19mm cast brass buckle
12mm cast nickel plated
16mm cast nickel plated
19mm cast nickel plated
12mm pressed brass plated
16mm pressed brass plated
19mm pressed brass plated
12mm pressed nickel plated
16mm pressed nickel plated
19mm pressed nickel plated
Type A each
£1.70
£1.90
£2.00
Type B each
Type C per six
£1.50
£1.70
£2.00
£3.75
£3.95
£4.50
£3.75
£3.95
£4.50
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Pack of 50 two part rivet caps & stems
Described from left to right in the image
6mm diameter brassed double cap rivets
7mm long stem
£5.75
10mm diameter brassed double cap rivets
7mm long stem
£5.75
10mm diameter brassed double cap rivets
9mm long stem
£5.75
The above are available in nickel plated finish.
10mm diameter antique cap and open end rivet
9mm long stem.
£5.75
Packs of 100 Upholstery Nails
A13. Brassed daisy head low dome 10 mm head
B13. Brassed aster head 11mm diameter head
C19. Nickle plated plain dome 10mm dia head
D19. Brassed plain dome 10 mm diameter head
E13. Brassed plain dome 10 mm diameter head
F13. Brass plain dome 6 mm diameter head
G13. Antique on steel 10mm diameter head
H19. Antique on steel 10mm diameter head
£5.00
£5.00
£5.00
£5.00
£5.00
£5.00
£5.00
£5.00
Really impressed with the quality and great fitting instructions as a
novice they proved invaluable. The Oxton saddle set looks great on our
horse.
Mr B.L from Essex
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Cast Brass Swing Iron Brackets
These are top quality, British made cast brass fittings, for securing the swing iron bars to the top rail
of the safety stand. Each pair of brackets includes the necessary screws or coach bolts, washers, and
mild steel bearing strips. The visible screws or bolts heads are coated with gold paint.
~ Small ~
~ Medium ~
~ Large~
Small pair for 8mm swing irons (Lines Bros pattern)
Medium pair for 10mm swing irons (Lines Bros pattern)
Large pair for 10mm or 11.2mm (7/16) swing irons
£20.00
£23.00
£26.00
Swing Iron Pairs
Swing
Diameter
A
B
C
Iron
Small
Medium
Large
10 mm
10 mm
10 mm
65 mm
95 mm
95 mm
230 mm
310 mm
370 mm
200 mm
310 mm
310 mm
These are manufactured in bright mild steel and sold per pair
complete with washers and split pins. These are heavy items, the price includes postage.
Small
Medium
Large
8mm diameter
10mm diameter
10mm diameter
£25.00
£25.00
£26.00
4 Brass Bowler Hats and screws
A set of four polished brass 1¾” diameter (44mm by 19mm high)
swing iron end covers, designed to fit over the split pin and
washer securing the hoof rail. Small brass dome head screws are
included.
£10.50
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Starlock Axle/Swing iron Caps a set of 8
A quick and inexpensive method of securing swing irons through the
hoof rail. They are a knock on fit onto either 8 or 10mm diameter
swing irons. The caps have a domed profile with a stainless steel
finish and match those used on Collinson horses. Sold in sets of 8.
Fits on 8 mm swing irons. 16 mm outside diameter cap
Fits on 10 mm swing irons. 19.5 mm outside diameter cap
£4.25
£4.25
Decorative Rosettes
A set of six pressed decorative rosettes 23 mm
diameter supplied in a brassed finish.
6 Brassed rosettes
£5.75
Cloth Rosettes
A
B
C
Type A
Three red ribbon Collinson style rosettes.
Approximately 3” diameter (75 mm) with eighteen upholstery pins.
£8.50
Type B
A red ribbon rosette 2½“(65 mm) diameter and measuring 5” (125 mm) overall with a card
centre with gold lettered ‘Made by Grandad’. There is a clip fitted on the rear for
attaching the rosette to the bridle.
£6.00
Type C
As above but with a plain card centre
’
£5.00
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Stirrup Iron – pairs
A. Nickle plated stirrups 75 mm sole
Suitable for a small horse
£17.00
B. Nickel plated stirrups 90 mm sole
Suitable for a medium/large horse
£19.00
C. Cast brass stirrups 75mm sole
Suitable for a small horse
£17.00
D. Cast Brass 90 mm sole stirrups
for a medium/large horse
£19.00
E. Cast brass pear shape stirrups ted 90 mm sole
for a medium/large horse
£19.00
F. Cast brass 100mm open sole stirrups
for an extra large horse
£33.00
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A guide to measuring your carved wood rocking horse
Prior to ordering any of our rocking horse fittings, it is essential to determine the size and
proportions of your wooden rocking horse.
The sizes vary between makers, consequently Dimension A on a small horse is nineteen inches or
less, medium horses are larger than nineteen inches and up to twenty-five inches long, large are
twenty-six to twenty-eight, and extra large are thirty inches plus.
Please ensure you supply Dimension A, by measuring in a straight line as if you were
measuring the length of the body planks used in construction.
`
Dimension B is the length of the top of the saddle from the neck to the rear of the saddle block.
Unless stated otherwise we assume your horse has a saddle block fitted.
Dimension C is from the stirrup staples (if fitted) to the underbelly of the horse.
Dimension D is the girth measurement around the horse at this position.
Dimension E is the distance around the saddle block to where it merges with the body.
Datum 2 is at the same position as Datum 1 but on
the opposite side of the head.
When ordering a custom made bridle please
supply the body length of the horse (Dimension A)
only and the strap measurements indicated on the
left.
Measure for strap F, from Datum 1 down to the
upper point of the mouth.
At point G, measure from Datum 1 to Datum 2
over the head.
Measure for strap H around the throat from Datum
1 to Datum 2.
For the brow band at location J, measure from
Datum 1 to Datum 2.
For strap K measure the distance around the upper
jaw approximately one-inch above the nostrils.
At position L measure the width of the back of the
mouth for the bit.
To ensure the correct fit, please check your bridle measurements before placing your order.
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How to place your order
Wirral Rocking Horses
Call us on 0151 677 9952 between
9am to 5pm on weekdays to discuss your order
You can then pay by card or Paypal.
Website www.wirralrockinghorses.co.uk
Email [email protected]
Delivery Promise
Please allow a minimum of five working days for us to despatch your order, or longer if requesting made to
measure items. Most items are posted by second class recorded delivery.
Returns
If your purchase is not quite what you expected or you changed your mind please tell us within fourteen days
of receipt you intend returning your purchase. You then have a maximum of fourteen days to return your
order complete with original packaging. Unless goods are faulty we do not reimburse your return postage. We
have no legal obligation to refund payments on custom made products as it’s the customer’s responsibility to
provide accurate measurements. Items exchanged due to customer error will be charged return postage. Your
statutory rights are unaffected. Returns to Wirral Rocking Horses. 5 Susan Grove. Moreton. Wirral. CH46 OTZ.
Toy Safety
All rocking horses present a fall hazard. All children particularly those under thirty-six months of age must be
supervised by a responsible adult whilst riding any rocking horse. If in doubt over any aspect of toy safety
appertaining to rocking horses, or are unsure what to order, please contact us during weekday business hours
for free professional advice. All our products are unsuitable for use on real horses.
All products supplied in this catalogue, will, when fitted correctly, conform to BS 5665 and EN71. The foam
and wadding in our saddles, and the material used in our under blankets conform to the relevant
requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988. The cured hair on hide sets are
professionally treated by a DEFRA registered supplier to comply with BS EN71 1995 Part 3.
Colours indicated in the catalogue may vary due to the limitations of colour reproduction. Wirral Rocking
Horses reserves the right to amend the prices; this September 2016 version replaces all previous prices.
A handy little guide: Metric to Imperial Conversion
10 mm = 3/8
13 mm = ½ inch
19 mm = ¾ inch
25.4 mm = 1 inch
32 mm = 1 ¼”
75 mm = 3 inches
90 mm = 3 ½ inches
One foot = 305 mm
4’ 0” = 1,220 mm
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