Ever since I first saw the Smyths toy advert where the Barbie doll flips on to the horse I have been desperate to get my hands on one to see how it works. Barbie Saddle ‘n ride horse flips Barbie from a standing position on to the back of the horse using the buttons on the horse.
Barbie is unable to stand by herself as one leg is fixed in place and the other is on a really flexible joint which allows it to swing over the back of the horse. You place Barbies hand in the slot in the ribbon on the horses neck and then either press the button on the head (which causes the doll to jump on and the horse to walk) or the button on the neck (which causes the doll to jump on the horse whilst it stands still).
When you insert Barbies hand into the slot on the ribbon you need to bend her back until she clicks into place, this was a bit tricky to begin with but we soon got the hang of it and watching Barbie flip on to her horse really is spectacular to watch and with the added brush accessory and the horses tail and Barbies hair to brush there is another element to the playability of the Barbie Saddle ‘N Ride.
The horse takes 4 AAA batteries and would make a great Christmas present for a Barbie fan.