CLINTON - When Larry Reynolds retired a few years ago, he wanted a hobby that incorporated his woodworking talent with his love of horses.

Wooden hobbyhorses provided the former carpenter with the perfect hobby.

"I grew up with horses. We always had at least one horse around the farm," said Reynolds.

The home Reynolds shares with wife, Linda, is filled with rocking horses ranging from 12 to 36 inches tall.

The shortest version without rockers works well to display fashion dolls, Linda Reynolds discovered. The tallest horses have been popular with children since Reynolds made the first one more than 20 years ago.

Young customers at The Shack restaurant in Clinton enjoyed one of Reynolds' horses that was stationed in the entry to the restaurant for three years. Several people ordered rocking horses after the trial run.

The newest pattern includes features that look like muscles.

"I like them to look like horses," said Larry Reynolds.

The larger models include 52 pieces that are connected with pegs.

A deer-hide saddle and ears were first developed by Linda Reynolds from material she had intended for a dress. Cotton string mops are used for the horses' mane and tail.

The foot pegs that serve as stirrups are adjustable to accommodate growing children.

The first rocking horse built by Reynolds now resides in his workshop, the victim of a trade-in by his grandson several years ago.

"He came to me and asked if he could trade his horse for another one. He wanted one that was a lighter color," said Larry Reynolds.

The signs of wear and tear on the grandson's horse are of no concern to the builder.

"If the kids get a knick in it, it just adds character," he said.

The workshop next to Reynolds' home on East Woodlawn Street is headquarters for the hobbyhorse hobby. One wall is lined with dozens of patterns for horses, highchairs, bird feeders and other wooden items he makes.

While Reynolds will make custom hobbyhorses for sale, most of his work goes to family and friends.

The next rocking horse challenge for Reynolds is a horse with movable legs that will provide a realistic clip-clop for riders. The new model is sure to be popular with his three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

"I have horses in Texas and Virginia. I tried to make an heirloom horse that can be passed down," said Reynolds.