I have these Antique rocking horses wood how do stop them from cracking?

Question

They are 3 little antique rocking horse we got from market but they are starting to crack especially the big one of the three

Answer 1

It depends on the size and depth of the cracks. If they aren't very large, use boiled linseed oil and rub it in very thoroughly. It seals the wood and keeps in whatever moisture remains. You have to let it dry, like paint, between coats. You want to give it two or three very good coats, rubbing it in thoroughly with a soft cloth, such as a tee shrt, which won't leave lint in the oil. Keep the horses in as dust-free an area as possible until the coatings dry.

If the cracks are large, you might take pictures of the horses, showing the cracks, and present them to your nearest locally owned paint store. Most paint-store owners have a very good knowledge of their products and can recommend something that could or should help with your problem.

I was a house painter for a while and this is where I've gained what little knowledge I have of the subject.

Answer 2

Yes it works if you know what you are doing. Then you run the edge of the file across the hoof above the crack and hope it cracks sideways. However this is for someone that has done this before. There is a product called crack filler which can be used to fillthe crack. Trim the hoves properly first. I have also used bondo for cars and that works well in some cases, but I do not use it for deep cracks that go to the quick. BTW the hole and the groove are not ineffective. The method was used when farriers handled many more horses than are handled by modern farriers. I find anyone spouting nonsense that the old timers did not know what they were talking about, downright ridiculous. I have said this before and will say it again. If the old timers, who handeled far more horses than we handle today and who perfected their techniques for hundreds of years, didn't use the technique it probably is not worth trying. If the crack is not too deep trim it and shoe it. The shoe will support the hoof wall while it heals. But keep teh wall trimmed down to the sole and keep pulling the shoe and reshoe the horse every week to 10 days being sure to trim each time. Continue this until the crack grows out.