Expect to see a lot more rocking horses at the foot of the Clyde Mountain this year

What’s the number-one animal you’re likely to see along the Kings Highway between Braidwood and Batemans Bay?

That’s easy – the horse, particularly of the rocking variety.

Regulars to the coast will know about the collection of rocking horses on not just one but now two fallen logs, visible from the road near the foot of the Clyde.

It seems to be the rocking horse breeding season because, in recent months, the numbers have exploded. What’s going on?

The first rocking horse is said to have appeared around October 2020, after the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires, but no one knows who placed it there or why.

Over the years, people have suggested it’s a roadside memorial to honour a young child or a prank by university students on break. Others say that it’s a play on a ‘zebra crossing’.

But earlier this year, we met Rob, who told us they carry a far simpler meaning.

“It’s just a bit of fun,” he said in February.

Rob (who wished to withhold his last name) and his wife split their time 50/50 between Canberra and a house in Dalmeny, near Narooma. A few years ago, he decided to join in.

“I’ve been sourcing rocking horses from either Facebook Marketplace or, if I’m ever at the tip, I’ll duck into The Green Shed and see what they’ve got,” he said.

The first log was fairly congested when he came to it, so Rob started his collection on another fallen log further down the road and at a location where it’s safer to pull up.

“It’s an easy enough trek through the scrub, and I haven’t encountered a snake yet,” he said.

He said some friends complain “it’s a bit trashy and detracts from the environment, but I just laugh at them”.

“I think if people can get enjoyment with their kids by putting something there and seeing if it’s still there the next time they make the trip, it’s just a bit of fun.”

Now there are even more logs.

“Lots more have arrived over the last 12 months, including a third log and also a majestic big fella on the opposite side of the road as well,” Rob told us this week.

Only three extra horses are due to Rob’s efforts, “a little more discreet and a few corners past the second log”, but there have been “a lot of new contributors adding to the second log and its surrounds”.

He said they’re mainly horses with only “a couple of other animal varieties”.

“The number’s really ballooned after your last story; whether that was the reason, I’m not sure.”

As far as he’s concerned, there’s only love for the attraction, with not a single criticism of littering levelled his way for months.

In response to questions from Region, the Eurobodalla Shire Council said it had received “only a couple of queries” about the rocking horses over the past year and “none of significance”.

“Additionally, the rocking horses are outside of the road reserve and so outside of council’s jurisdiction, sited as they are on state forest and national parks land,” a spokesperson for the council said.

Eurobodalla mayor Mathew Hatcher described the rocking horses as a “highlight” for travellers.

“They’re a reminder the coast is close. Many kids look forward to seeing Pooh’s Corner and the rocking horses on their way to the coast each year.”

Original Article published by James Coleman on Riotact.