Hobby Horsing Comes to Schools!

A Whole New Way to Get Kids Moving, Engaged, and Feeling Like Champions

We’re so excited to announce that hobby horsing is officially coming to schools across parts of the UK. If you’re on the lookout for a PE activity that’s a dynamic session that gets kids active, engaged, and excited to take part—no matter their ability. Whether it’s for Sports Day, a PE enrichment session, summer school, or even a holiday club, we’re ready to bring our ponies (and the fun!) directly to your pupils.

Hobby horsing is more than an activity—it’s a sport, a celebration, and a unique way for kids to experience success, build confidence, and feel like part of something special. It blends movement, creativity, and friendly competition into one unforgettable day that kids will talk about for weeks.

Key Takeaways

• Hobby horsing is now available in schools across the UK, offering a fresh, inclusive approach to PE and enrichment activities.
• The sport promotes physical and emotional development, helping children build coordination, confidence, and creativity through equestrian-inspired games.
• Sessions are fully equipped and expertly delivered, transforming school spaces into mini arenas with ponies, jumps, and medals.
• Every child is celebrated, with a focus on participation, fun, and imagination—no previous experience required.
• Flexible packages and optional add-ons allow schools to tailor the experience to their setting, timetable, and pupils’ needs.

One child overcame their shyness to lead a race. Another beamed with pride after finishing their first jumping course. Hobby horsing is powerful stuff. 🐎💪

What Is Hobby Horsing?

If you haven’t come across it before, hobby horsing is a fast-growing sport originally from Finland. It involves children riding on stick ponies (think horses heads on sticks) as they take on activities inspired by real-life equestrian disciplines like show jumping, dressage, and barrel racing—all powered by their own two feet.

While the idea might sound playful (and it definitely is), hobby horsing is also physically demanding, skill-building, and full of emotional value. It develops real athletic ability—agility, speed, balance, and coordination—while sparking creativity and storytelling. In short: it’s movement with meaning.

We’ve seen it first-hand: the moment kids are given their own pony to ride, something shifts. There’s excitement, empowerment, and a lot of laughter. They name their ponies, create characters, invent rivalries—and before long, you’ve got a full-on equestrian event unfolding right there in your school.

Why It Belongs in Schools

Hobby horsing aligns beautifully with the goals of modern education: supporting the whole child—physically, emotionally, and socially.

It Builds Bodies

Children develop gross motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness through jumping, galloping, and racing—all while having a blast.

It Boosts Confidence

We make sure every child is seen, supported, and celebrated. There’s no pressure to be “the best”—the focus is on joyful participation.

It Encourages Creativity

From naming their ponies to imagining routines, hobby horsing invites kids to use their imaginations alongside their muscles.

It’s Inclusive

Whether a child is shy, sporty, or somewhere in between, hobby horsing meets them where they are. It’s suitable for a wide range of abilities, and no previous experience is needed.

For nurseries, primary schools, early years settings, and SEND-friendly environments, hobby horsing is a brilliant way to offer children something new and meaningful.

What Happens in a School Visit?

We bring everything with us—ponies, jumps, medals, and a whole lot of enthusiasm—and turn your school space into a mini arena.

Here’s what’s typically included:

Hobby Horse Demonstration

We kick things off with an interactive demo showing the different disciplines. This gets children inspired and helps them understand what the session will involve.

Warm-Up & Pony Time

Children get to pick a hobby horse from our herd and give it a name. Then we warm up together, getting everyone ready for action.

Clear Round Jumping

This is a structured course with small jumps that children complete at their own pace. It teaches rhythm, spatial awareness, and self-control—all disguised as fun.

Barrel Racing

A fast-paced race around markers that boosts speed, coordination, and pure adrenaline! Kids love the energy and friendly rivalry.

Awards for All

We finish with a celebration. Every child receives either a sticker, rosette, or medal (you decide), and we offer optional rider numbers for that official sporting touch.

Our sessions are upbeat, inclusive, and designed to leave every child walking taller than when they started. And yes—there are usually a few teachers who want a go, too!

Want to Go Bigger?

If you’ve got extra space or a bit more time, we can go beyond the basics and run additional activities such as:

• The Grand National – a galloping course with multiple laps and jumps
  
• Scurrying – a twisty, speedy challenge that keeps everyone on their toes
  
• Dressage – a chance to showcase control and elegance with simple footwork routines
  
• Championship-style Jumping – build suspense with a scored final event, perfect for team-based or class-vs-class fun
  

These extras are ideal for full-day bookings or summer enrichment days. We’ll always work with your team to shape a schedule that fits, and we adapt everything to the number and age of pupils taking part.

Where Can We Set Up?

We’re flexible and experienced in working with all sorts of school settings. Ideal spaces include:

• A grassy playing field
  
• An indoor gymnasium or hall (especially useful if the weather turns!)
  

We kindly avoid hard surfaces like playgrounds or tarmac—it’s just not pony-friendly! If you’re unsure about space, we’re happy to talk it through before you book.

Packages That Fit Your School

We know that every school runs differently. That’s why we offer a variety of packages:

• Half-Day Sessions – perfect for a few year groups or a rotation-style sports morning
  
• Full-Day Bookings – let us run multiple sessions across all key stages
  
• Seasonal Extras – summer school, holiday clubs, or even themed enrichment weeks
  

You can keep things light and cheerful with stickers and high-fives, or add rider numbers, medals, and multi-discipline events to create a full-scale championship. Whatever your vision, we’ll help bring it to life.

The Lasting Impact

We’ve seen it time and time again: children who might not shine in traditional sports absolutely thrive in hobby horsing. Why? Because it feels different. It’s less about rules and more about imagination. Less about comparison and more about celebration.

Teachers have told us about:

• Children who overcame shyness to lead a race
  
• Pupils with low confidence beaming with pride after completing a course
  
• Whole classes cheering each other on in ways they hadn’t before
  
• SEND pupils engaging in movement-based learning in a new, joyful way
  

This isn’t just a novelty—it’s a genuinely meaningful experience that stays with children long after the session ends.

If you need any adaption’s (e.g. for wheelchairs) get in touch and we can see what we can do! We can cater for anything with a little time and thought.

Let’s Bring the Arena to You

We’d love to bring Hobby Horse Adventures to your school and create a magical, movement-filled day your pupils will never forget.

Book Now or Find Out More

📱 Call Zoe on 07931 191974
📧 Or email us at info@hobby-horses.co.uk

Let’s turn your playing field or school gymnasium into a world of ponies, cheers, and champion-level smiles.

We can’t wait to meet your school’s next hobby horse heroes. 🐴💫

Bring the magic of hobby horsing to your school—book a session today and let your pupils gallop into greatness! 🐴✨

Further Reading

• Including Pupils with SEN and/or Disabilities in Primary PE: Guidance on creating inclusive PE lessons that cater to all students, ensuring equal opportunities for participation and development.
• Creativity Outcomes of Physical Activity Interventions for Children and Adolescents: A study exploring how physical activity can enhance creativity among young people, supporting the integration of imaginative play in sports.
• Physical Activity Helps Children to Deal with Life’s Challenges: An article discussing how regular physical activity contributes to children’s resilience and ability to handle various life challenges.