Bob Barling or as the locals call him, The Rocking Horse Man, is a talented artisan creating handmade rocking horses. Bob was born in Kogarah NSW a suburb just south of Sydney. He grew up in the 1940s when a lot of households struggled to survive. Having money to buy small luxuries, even toys, was not an option.

Bob’s grandfather, a carpenter on the railways, would often make wooden toys for Bob and his siblings. Bob can recall his grandfather having a shed at the back of the house where his grandfather would pass the time building toys, fishing rods, bikes furniture and horses.

Bob eventually became a carpenter himself however changed his career to become a motor mechanic because he didn’t like heights, this was a problem when working on the roofs of buildings before scaffolding provided a safety zone. In the 1960s Bob and his wife, Mary moved to historic Murrumburrah and have lived there ever since.

In December 2009, Bob started to experiment with his own handmade rocking horses. Bob often retreats to his shed to perfect his craft. Each horse is built from solid Australian pine and once they have been carved and painted the horses are finished off with brass fittings, a leather saddle, studding, glass eyes and real horse hair. Not only does Bob create these magnificent pieces he also restores them.

Today, the rocking horses are in great demand through out Australia and attract a lot of interest by travelers passing through Murrumburrah. This humble artisan does not have a website address, email and is not even listed in the yellow pages. Bob prefers to think of his passion as a hobby. To view his collection of rocking horses come down to his shed located on the corner of Vernon Street and Albury Street, directly opposite Whichcraft.

Contact Bob: 63863900 After 6pm.