Handcarved Rocking Horses in Dayton, TN

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His Idea Crafts, Dayton, Tennessee-based makers of heirloom-quality wooden rocking horses, had been in business two years before getting its first big break.

At the time, owners John and Anna Sprankell couldn’t afford a vacation, so they piled their girls and a few of the hand-crafted horses into the car and headed for Gatlinburg, promising the girls that if they sold one horse, they’d get a hotel room and stay overnight. Well, they sold all the horses they had and took orders for 20 more. From there, business took off at a gallop.

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That was 20 years ago. To date, the Sprankells have built more than 24,000 rocking horses, and these beautiful, handcrafted horses have been featured on QVC and Tennessee Crossroads.

The unique rocking horses are sold in multiple retail outlets throughout the state and on the Internet, and have been shipped to all 50 states and 16 countries.

John Sprankell is quick to give God the credit. “It was ‘His’ idea,” he says. See “His” horses at www.allhishorses.com.

8 Comments

  1. Jim Hudgens says:

    Is it possible for me to purchase a Rocking Horse for my Grandson?

  2. Ann Leffler says:

    I have been researching rocking horses for my grandsons. I have one I purchased at the Christmas Place in 1994 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I just turned the horse upside down and found out that it was made by John Sprankel. I feel honored to have this little horse in my home. I have never noticed until now the signature on the bottom. I am not having much luck with the website, usually just goes to ads. Not sure what I am doing wrong. I am interested in purchasing one for my grandsons for their home.

    Thank-you
    Ann Leffler/Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

  3. Ann Leffler says:

    My apology for spelling John’s name wrong. I just wanted to add that John and Anna make the sweetest rocking horses. I looked long and hard before purchasing this one and that was 21 years ago. The horse is in perfect condition still today and is very sturdy and beautiful. My grandsons, 3 years and 10 months both love this rocking horse. Although Will is a little young yet, he is very interested already. Andrew, the oldest, rocks pretty hard but it has never flipped him over. Excellent product.

    Ann Leffler
    Murfreesboro, Tennessee

  4. Caolyn Stephenson says:

    We have purchased 9 rocking horses from John over the past 13 years for our grandchildren. We need to purchase one more for our last grandchild. We’ve tried to contact John by phone & locate him online without any success. The phone number listed in previous comments is not in working order. Does anyone know how we can contact him? Thanks

  5. Monica says:

    My son got his for his first birthday, back on 2011. My sister loved it and got one for her daughter. 17 years later we still have them. Beautiful and so well made. I hope my son passes his on for generations to come

  6. Janet G Serrano says:

    I have one of John’s horses I’d like to sell – no more little ones to use it. If interested, call me at 561-762-6296.

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