Horse Ears
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 Vintage Steiff Horse Shetland Sheddy with Ear Button US $70.00 |
 HORSE EAR RINGS  US $11.99
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 Cashel Comfort Ears Medium Arab Horse Sz NEW US $13.00
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 Farnam Horse sized Fly Mask with Ears US $10.50
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Identifying an antique rocking horse
An antique rocking horse is a beautiful thing. They bring images of a time when children were happy with innocent play, before the days of bleeping and exploding toys and video games. A true antique rocking horse can cost thousands of dollars, but how old are they, and how can you tell the real from the fake?
In the US, toy horses were made as early as the 17th Century, by fathers in their workshops as gifts for their children. These were generally simple toys and the rocking mechanisms came later. In Europe, bow rocking horses were made from around 1750 and rocking horses on a swing stand were made from around 1880. The dates are similar for the US.
An antique rocking horse from Europe is very different than one from America. The American ones are often called 'folk art' antique rocking horses. The designs are simple and the manes and tails are usually made of horsehair. If there are saddles and reins left they will be leather. Some were painted and some were polished or left natural.
European antique rocking horses, especially British ones, mostly date from approximately 1870-1920. Again, the manes and tails were made of hair, and the tack was leather, often fixed by brass fastenings. They were usually painted. They do not often have a manufacturers name on but some do, and the three biggest manufacturers were Collinsons (1836-1993), F H Ayres (19th Century and early 20th Century) and Tri-Ang Lines, who also made hide covered rocking horses.
So how do you know the horse you are looking at is an antique rocking horse? First, it'll look old! But be careful! Old can be faked. You need to know where to look. First, look at the delicate parts of the horse - ears, bottom of the face, around the eyes and the legs. Most importantly, look at the seat. An antique rocking horse should have signs of wear, not only in the paintwork, but also worn wood in the places the saddle has rubbed. Also, the reins may have rubbed around the neck.
Secondly, the tack. On an antique rocking horse this is almost always leather. A carved and painted saddle is unusual on a true antique rocking horse. Make sure the leather is worn. Again, especially look at the saddle seat. A European one will probably have brass studding on it to fix it, but this is not always the case. Nails and other metal fixings can be artificially rusted so be careful.
Thirdly, the mane and tail on an antique rocking horse will almost always have been real horse or cow hair. If you find one with a carved mane, it is probably newer than you thought.
There are some very excellent companies who make reproduction rocking horses and these should not be confused with a fake antique rocking horse. If you do your research, check some pictures on the internet, and buy from a known dealer you should not have any problem and will enjoy your antique rocking horse.
About the Author
Stephen Jamieson has more free information on rocking horses and building your own; if you would like to find out more just visit his blog at =>
www.therockinghorseplans.com
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Cashel Comfort Ears Horse $14.99 Cashel Comfort Ears Help eliminate flies from irritating your horse's ears while riding. Comfort Ears™ is made from a light, breathable sports-jersey nylon mesh that comfortably fits under the bridle to help keep your horse stress-free and to help prevent head tossing on the trail. Color: Black |
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Professional's Choice Wrangler Horse Fly Mask with Ears $20.95 Professional's Choice Wrangler Horse Fly Mask with Ears. Made with smooth breathable mesh around ears and poll area the Wrangler Fly Mask with Ears protects against files and other biting insects. |
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For The Ears $12.49 For The Ears |
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Cashel QuietRide Horse Fly Mask with Ears $22.95 Cashel QuietRide Fly Mask with Ears. With the same design and quality as the Cashel Crusader pasture fly mask the QuietRide is sheer and translucent to allow your horse to see clearly with out impairing his vision on the trail. |
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Cashel QuietRide Long Horse Fly Mask with Ears $28.95 Cashel QuietRide Long Horse Fly Mask with Ears - With the same design and quality as the Cashel Crusader pasture fly mask the Quiet-Ride is sheer and translucent to allow your horse to see clearly with out impairing his vision on the trail. |
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Absorbine Ultrashield Fly Mask with Ears Horse $18.99 America's top brand providing your horse with the best protection from flies all season long. Durable Rip-Shield(R) material is soft on your horse's face, and the extended nose fits snugly around the muzzle. Mask has darts for the eyes and the material shades and protects them from sun. Safety release under jowl will keep your horse safe while turned out. Sizes: Horse: 800-1100 lbs Small Horse: 500-800 lbs Please note that the fly mask without ears is only available in Horse size. **Packaging May Vary** |
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Absorbine Ultrashield Fly Mask No Ears Horse $16.99 America's top brand providing your horse with the best protection from flies all season long. Durable Rip-Shield(R) material is soft on your horse's face, and the extended nose fits snugly around the muzzle. Mask has darts for the eyes and the material shades and protects them from sun. Safety release under jowl will keep your horse safe while turned out. Sizes: Horse: 800-1100 lbs Small Horse: 500-800 lbs Please note that the fly mask without ears is only available in Horse size. **Packaging May Vary** |
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Farnam SuperMask II Classic with Ears Horse $14.99 Stays on horses that are turned out. Protects eyes from insects, dust, dirt and irritants. Provides 70% protection from the sun. Double-latch closure keeps masks twice as secure as ever before. "No vision obstruction" design protects eyes from fly irritation disease flying dust dirt and debris. Soft sew-in mesh ears allow the horse's ears to move while protected. Speeds healing after eye injury and provides UV protection. |
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Cashel Quiet Ride Fly Mask with Ears Horse $23.99 Cashel Quiet Ride Fly Mask w/Ears With the same design and quality as the Cashel Crusader pasture fly mask, the Quiet-Ride™ is sheer and translucent to allow your horse to see clearly with out impairing his vision on the trail. The Quiet-Ride™ can be worn either over or under the bridle and is light weight, comfortable and nonrestrictive. Be confident your horse is protected, giving you a much quieter, safer ride. Color: Black |
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Cashel Crusader Fly Mask with Ears Horse $23.99 Offer your horse the ultimate in fly protection and a safe alternative to toxic and ineffective fly sprays. Rated #1 for comfort, design and fit by equine clinicians and publications, the Cashel(R) Crusader™ Fly Mask employs a patented three-hole cap design that ensures comfort, eliminates forelock damage and remains stationary whether your horse is in the stall or the pasture. The panels are constructed of soft-coated nylon micromesh that hovers above the skin's surface, protecting the soft tissues of the eyes and forehead from flying insects and blocking 70% of the sun's damaging UV rays. Edges and seams are bound with low-nap plush fabric that won't attach to irritating burrs or bristles. The Crusader™ with ear protection allows your horse's ears to slip lightly and comfortably into fitted sheaths made of Wickaway. This soft, moisture wicking material is light and silent, allowing unobstructed hearing and full range of movement while completely protecting your horse's ears from biting flies and gnats. Features: . Rated #1 by equine experts for design, comfort and fit . Soft and flexible for maximum comfort . Durable and long lasting . Keeps mesh away from the eye area . Offers 70% UV sun protection Item Specifications: Closure: Velcro tape Color: Grey/Ear colors may vary |
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Cashel Breast Cancer Fly Mask with Ears Horse $23.99 Cashel Crusader Breast Cancer Fly Mask with Ears The Crusader ™ Fly Mask, with its patented three-hole cap eliminates forelock damage and ensures comfort with its unique design that stays put while your horse is stalled or turned out in the pasture. Soft coated nylon micro mesh blocks 70% of the sun's damaging UV rays and protects the sensitive, soft tissues of the eyes and forehead. Color: Grey/Pink |
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Weaver Fly Mask with Ears $14.95 When flies and bugs are at their worst, you need the Weaver Fly Mask with Ears. The mesh design protects the face and ears while still providing for visibility. Fleece lining allows your horse to remain comfortable and velcro openings make putting it on and taking it off extremely easy. |
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Cashel Rescue Fly Mask with Ears Horse $23.99 The Cashel Crusader ™ Rescue Fly Mask with ears features patented three-hole cap eliminates forelock damage and ensures comfort with its unique design that stays put while your horse is stalled or turned out in the pasture. Soft coated nylon micro mesh blocks 70% of the sun's damaging UV rays and protects the sensitive, soft tissues of the eyes and forehead. 5% is donated from every orange fly mask to help animal rescue operations in the fight against animal neglect and cruelty. Join us to help the animals we love! |
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Farnam SuperMask II with Ears $27.95 Farnam SuperMask II with Ears. SuperMask II with double latch closure have twice the staying power of other masks.This fly protection is made to stay even during horse play |
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Tuffrider Fly Mask with Ears $18.95 Offer your horse the ultimate in fly season protection when you use the TuffRider Fly Mask with Ears. Protects your horse’s eyes, ears and head from flies, dust, dirt and debris. |
