Sweden - cowboys on fancy horses

The unofficial symbol of Sweden is a wooden horse, often colored in a light red, with ornamental paintings on it. The history of the horse, which is usually about 6 inches tall, dates back to the 1600s. It was originally made as a toy for children. 

Somewhat out of the blue the boys decided that they wanted to go to the place where these are made. It is in Nusnäs, just outside Mora. They got to see the manufacturing process from lumps of wood being rough cut, to the hand carving to finalize the shape, to the base coloring, and lastly the painted details. 

Afterwards they had the opportunity to paint their own horses and climb on the over sized versions outside the gift shop.  Ever since we came home Mathias has been lobbying that we should carve our own. I have a hard time picturing him wielding a sharp knife though.