In my Nana's possession are two cast-iron spring horses that one would find in a playground. The horses had a permanent home in the backyard of her home in Kitchener for many years until she moved recently.copyright protection153ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ8T0NVY4S
Both horses, from what I remember them being, were dark brown, with black hooves, tail, and mane with red eyes, saddle, and reins. The handles, which protruded out of either side of the horses' heads, were red as well. The paint was chipped and faded but all the children in my family played on them, rocking back and forth with such momentum that the legs of the horses would bump against the ground.copyright protection153ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpVeWhRyEH
They are old playground toys that my family took from a playground that was being torn down. They were made either in the 1950s or 1940s and have stood outside in my Nana's backyard for many years, enduring snow, rain, and sleet. They also have withstood the abuse my siblings and I have put them through. As I recall, I was the one who would make the horses rock as far as the springs would allow, often jarring the horse against the ground which made for an uncomfortable experience. The older and bigger the rider, the more the springs would bend this way and that, never standing straight unless your feet were planted on either side of the horse.copyright protection153ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmLxblE9sT
But that was part of the fun. I would sit backwards on the horses sometimes and sitting backwards would knock them off balance and make them difficult to stay on. Then again, the horse weren't made for anyone over five years old but even when we got into our pre-teen years we still sat on them anyway.copyright protection153ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHCBADowCt
Now, I'm glad to say, they've been given new life. With my Nana moving came their new paint job; they were sand-blasted and given new colours. They no longer have red demon eyes and are bright and cheerful looking. They're now ready for the next generation of our family to use.copyright protection153ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeSjsPBkng
They are simply cast-iron horses but they are more than that to us. My family is a family that loves to collect, we love to hang onto things and pass them down from one generation to generation and with all that considered; those horses are amongst the most valuable of things we own.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pjG1TkpqW
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