Gift of giddyup

POST FALLS — Post Falls High construction class students are rocking it this Christmas season.

The beneficiaries of their craftsmanship, area children in need, will receive sturdily-constructed rocking horses.

Sophomore Tristan Coles said the horses are built to last and withstand even the wildest of kid riders.

"I can sit on mine, and I'm 165 pounds," Coles said. "I can rock on mine and use it like an old person. They shouldn't break and will last forever if you treat them right."

The students will donate about 45 horses to kids before Christmas. They have been working on the project for six weeks.

"We've been helping each other out and building friendships," Coles said. "There's no time for sitting around."

The horses are made of pine and are 3 feet long and 2 feet tall. They're built with foot pegs and a handle at the head.

Teacher Bill Lawson said the project is a win-win because they make kids' Christmases brighter and give students experience using every power tool in the shop. Several tools and machines — including the table saw, sanders, band saw, routers and hand drills — are used during the project.

"It is a very challenging project from start to finish," Lawson said. "It is also a project that is very useful. The horses all find a home and get put to use."

Students have the choice of keeping their horse or donating it.

"For the students keeping them, it will likely go to a family member and they will see the joy it brings them," Lawson said. "For the students donating them, we have talked about the self-satisfaction of giving and doing something for others less fortunate."

Coles said he's glad Lawson chose the project again this year.

"After that long summer, it's nice to use all of the tools again," he said. "It's also cool to give the horses to kids at Christmas."