Rocking horse advice

[ExcellentCat]

We have a very ancient rocking horse, fabric covered. I had been going to tip it, but children are upset, so I thought to recover it, I was thinking a thick, if possible stretchy cord material.

I have stripped the old cover off & underneath its padding is made of I’m not sure but some kind of raffia? Wrapped about with string.

this is also old, and smells old so I would like to change it, any ideas what to use ? It’s wrapped over a wooden frame.
photo attached.

I had a google as I had no idea and fell down the rabbit hole! It is probably straw. The string reminds me of bale string, so if it is plastic, the stuffing's probably not that old. This blog explains different stuffings.

https://lefebvreupholstery.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-furniture-is-stuffed-with-what.html?m=1

If a good airing isn't enough to remove the smell, give it a go. Would love to see the end result!

It does look very much like baler twine, but I don’t think the stuffing is straw, is rough rather than shiny iykwim.
I will have a read of that blog thanks. I suspect I will create a terrifying mutant horse & Eve try one will cry again, but it’s worth a try.

*everyone

now ive looked at pictures of raffia I’m not sure that’s right either. Haven’t read the blog yet though, about to start.

@ExcellentCat That's Wood wool...AKA 'Excelsior'.

Looks like a 1980's/1990's rocking horse- they were made in Germany I think originally - possibly China latterly.
On very shallow laminated bow rockers, with leatherette tack.