Happy Chinese New Year of the Horse 2014

The Chinese New Year begins today, it's the Year of the Horse. Above are a selection of the more common Pelham Puppet Horses but with variations. A red saddle is more usual, but a green or black saddle does not make the horse more valuable. Sometimes the tail is grey on the earlier 60's/70's versions, later 70's ones are black with a red ribbon around it. The later versions have the ribbon stuck onto the tail, earlier ones have the ribbon tied around it in a bow. I like the Horse in photo 4 with thick red felt ears! There was an earlier wood horse which was similar and often suffers with severe paint loss to it's face, photo 5. Watch out for re painting and restoration on this early version.I always try to have a Horse for sale in the shop together with blond and dark haired foals, when I can find a Muffin the Mule he always proves popular too.If you have an interest in puppetryWar Horseis a must see production. "The National Theatre's epic production is based on the celebrated novel by the Children's Laureate (2003-05) Michael Morpurgo. Actors working with magnificent, life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company lead us on a gripping journey through history."www.warhorseonstage.com/about