If you're not going to splurge on a solid gold rocking horse for the kids this year, a more affordable alternative would be the Playsam Rocking Horse. The Scandinavian-designed horse is wood, but is finished in a satiny black lacquer that will make any child think that s/he has just gotten her own little Black Beauty. It's aimed at ages 1-5 and measures 33.5" x 13.5". The only downside is that your child might want to get a "real" pony at some point after this - which is significantly more expensive than a wooden one. Price: $225.

For the kid who has it all, Japanese jewelry designer Ginza Tanaka has created a 24-karat gold rocking horse. The toy was designed in honor of the birthday of Japan's Prince Hisahito and weighs about 80-lbs, significantly heavier than the normal wooden rocking horse that it is styled after. The weight does have an advantage in that it allows the chair to rock much more smoothly than other types of horses. Although the jeweler is willing to take orders for more, only one has yet been made and is valued at $1.28 million.

Maybe it is because bangles are big this season, or maybe it is the horses, but this Stagecoach Bracelet from Hermes is a beautiful piece of jewelry. The enamel bracelet is silver and palladium plated, and comes in multiple colors - white, red and light blue - and in both narrow and wide bands. The narrow band ($395) looks a bit more elegant, but the wide band ($440, pictured) has the benefit of allowing you to see the design a bit more clearly, which somehow makes it look more funky and casual.

Even though yesterday's Ferragamo bag had some animal action, it would be nice to see a few more bags with animals (not animal prints) on them. The Blush B-Lush Evening Pegasus handbag is small, adorable and just right for evening activities, like taking in a movie. It might be tough to smuggle in a can of Coke in it, but the bag has a light built in to it, meaning that you'll be able to find keys, phone and anything else you've lost with ease, even in a dark theater. The bag is made of leather and comes in chocolate and teal. Both colors have a white, stylized Pegasus on the front flap. This fun, casual bag is on sale right now for only $171.50 (orig. $245).

[via The Purse Blog]

Any avid equestrian will be able to tell you that the initial cost of a horse is not what makes any form of horseback riding such an expensive sport. Horses must be fed, housed and properly cared for - all of which are ongoing expenses, on top of training and general equipment. With one piece of equipment, the Racewood Riding Simulator, a novice rider can now eliminate those ongoing costs while s/he learns to ride.

Such machines were previously only available to large scale training facilities and were limited in scope. This riding simulator is designed to walk, trot, canter and steer realistically, performing all levels of flatwork, a unique feat that is accomplished with the help of programming from Equitech Software.

How much does it cost to buy a horse who can "run for the roses" in the Kentucky Derby? The short answer is quite a bit because the training and board, along with travel, vet, equipment and entry fees can be extremely expensive, especially if you want to put your horse with a top trainer. All that aside, there is still the initial cost of the horse.

There are three types of horses running, those sold privately, those sold at auction and homebreds, raised and raced by the same owners. Both private sales and home-raised horses can be difficult to assign a value to, but the results of auctions are made public, which can give us a general idea of what it takes to race.

The Stallion Belt by Ryan Green has just enough of a western edge to pair well with cowboy boots without being too "western." Adding it to a dressier look can also have a softening effect, adding a natural accent. The 1.5-inch thick belt sits around the hips and has a very unique buckle with a horse design laser engraved onto natural cherry wood. The buckle is removable and can be changed to other belts, as well. The belt itself comes in both black and brown. Price: $45.

Sleek, stylish and incredibly appropriate for the start of the Triple Crown racing season, which kicks off next weekend with the 132nd annual Kentucky Derby, the Luella Boston Satchel might be the perfect bag to take to the races. Actually, its textured navy leather would be difficult to match to the appropriate hat if you are actually going to be at the Derby, so perhaps the bag is best used for everyday wear. It is quite roomy at  9 x 14 x 7-inches and has a suede lining with two interior pockets. The thoroughbred design on the front of the bag is applique and all the detailing is done in gold. Price: $975.