I found the plans for these hobby horses in Handyman magazine back in the nineteen eighties, but never got around to building one for my son. When my first grandson came along, I was determined to build him one. That is the one on the right in the photo which is affectionately known as “Trigger”. When my second grandson was born, I was informed that he should have one too, so “Champion” on the left was built.
These were built with basic tools. I used a jig saw for the cut-outs and a bench sander for smoothing the edges. They were fun projects, to which my wife donated her talents for the trim items (seat cover, bridle, mane, etc.). I used red oak for the horses and poplar for the rocker assemblies. All the materials needed are available at local lumber, fabric and craft stores. The hobby horses are wonderful projects for any dad or granddad to leave an heirloom with his family.
– Bill (Poppi) Williams
St. George, SC
