Children's book about a playground horse that disappeared and came to life?

Question

I had this book in the early 1970's but it could have been an older book. It was about children that visited a playground and rode on a horse made of metal I think (could have been wood) and then it disappeared, but a real horse appeared in the field, suggesting that the horse had come to life. It was one of those really simple stories, but so appealing to young children. It was a book short enough to read at bedtimes and would love to find it so I can read it to my daughter. I remember lovely illustrations, but unfortunately not the title or author? Any ideas or suggestions of what the book might be, pls contact. Many thanks.

Answer 1

"Gigi, the Story of Merry-Go-Round Horse" by Elizabeth Foster
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Merry-Go-Round-Horse-Elizabeth-Foster/dp/0962616508/sr=1-3/qid=1165262522/ref=sr_1_3/104-8412583-2845536?ie=UTF8&s=books

Answer 2

Could it be this?

Escape from the Chanticleer
by Jared Tausig and Eva-Marie Tausig. The Chanticleer's famous carousel horse slips away for a trot through the lanes of Sconset and a canter along the shore. Barbara van Winkelen's charming black-and-white and full-color illustrations provide the atmospheric visuals.

Or this?

Gigi
By Elizabeth Foster
Illustrated by Ilse Bischoff

This children's classic, first published in 1943, relates the travels and adventures of a carousel horse. Gigi is the favorite horse of the children who ride the carousel in the Prater in old Vienna. When WWI breaks out, the carousel is dismantled and Gigi finds himself on his way to a small merry-go-round in Paris. Further adventures take him to London and eventually to America. On each carousel, Gigi forms strong friendships with children whom he dearly misses when he is forced to move on. (Of course carousel horses can talk with children who have not yet outgrown the saddle). The story ends with a happy surprise that will delight the young readers who have also befriended this special merry-go-round horse.