Carving out a niche career

Shona Garven with two of the creations that fill her Kamo home. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Shona Garven keeps six horses in her front room, but she's not worried about the carpet.

Thankfully, the 40 horses that fill her Kamo home are made of wood and part of the Palomino Rocking Horses collection that she has created.

It was during her time at high school in the Bay of Plenty, after she spotted another student sketching rocking horses, that Ms Garven first felt a desire to make them.

"Of course, I had a real horse. I didn't need a rocking horse but I've wanted to make them since then."

The first horse she made was the small, timber "Dobbin" in 2011. Then came "Neddy" - a slighter larger version.

"My long-suffering family had to put up with regular reports of his progress."

Two years ago, Ms Garven took over the business from Theo Bladen of Kaiwaka and she has since altered the design, making a creative "stable" her own.

Last year, Ms Garven travelled to England and spent time with traditional rocking horse manufacturers. She also attained membership of the Guild of Rocking Horse Makers.

Now, she spends her time rescuing and restoring old horses, as well as creating new ones. "You'd be surprised how many rocking horses are in people's garages and attics," she said.

A flash kauri rocking horse can cost up to $4000, twice the price of a real horse.

A small rocking horse can set you back $950, while a standard horse costs $1900.

The large Palomino rocking horses are constructed from layers of plywood, while the smaller timber horses are made of pine.

"About 60 hours of work goes into some of those horses," she said.

Rocking horses became popular in the 17th century when aristocratic European children needed a teaching tool to help them learn how to ride horses, but the simple wooden aid quickly became a popular toy.

The design of horses has changed since then.

Last year, Ms Garven added the zebra rocking horse to the collection and this year, she will add a giraffe to the mix.

She has a total of 40 horses throughout her home, with six in the lounge. "It's a bit crowded in here but I just love them," she said.

"My house is becoming overrun. Luckily, my long-suffering husband is also developing a liking for rocking horses."

Last year, she introduced a smaller timber horse design, suitable for children aged about 7 or 8.

She also makes horses out of swamp kauri.

"Recycled rimu looks great too," she says.

"I am about to start a horse made out of a customer's old oak wardrobe. I use old or new timber and often make horses out of customers' old furniture, or their own timber.

"If they have timber that grandfather has had in the rafters of the shed for years - I can make that into a horse for them. It makes it a bit more significant for the family," she said.

It's an unusual business, but one that Ms Garven believes doesn't have a rocky future.

"I think people will always appreciate rocking horses," she said.