Construction of rocking and carousel horses is by a traditional tried and proven laminated wood block method with a hollow body, the grain is laid in specific directions to give strength and ease of carving. Traditionally a glue derived from animal products was used, this had problems with delamination due to moisture. Modern epoxy glues have largely overcome this problem.

The horses were in many instances not carved to a high stanard of finish, instead relying on Gesso a soft plaster like material smeared in a layer all over the horse that was easily sanded to give a fine surface for painting this soft surface made the finished painted surface prone to chipping. The modern wooden horse tends to be carved and sanded to a higher standard before painting reducing the chipping.

Tack is usually leather nailed on, with brass bits, rings, stirrups etc.

The rocker was traditionally mounted on bows with the so called safety rocker becoming more popular last century.