Here at Hobby Horse Adventures, we thought we would attract children who had seen Hobby Horsing in Finland or on TikTok. What we did not count on was how many children who were neurodivergent would be coming to our hobby horse events.

Many parents who contact us are apprehensive about their children’s first event and talk us through their children’s nerves and excitement and we discuss best practices to make the events as welcoming and accessible as we can.

When the umpteenth parent contacted me with the same story, that their neurodivergent child had a passion for hobby horsing and nowhere to express it I started to pay serious attention.  Some of the children were bullied, or isolated in their hobby and they all REALLY wanted to come. Some of them had to build themselves up mentally to the fact it could be overwhelming or the unknown or they might not ‘fit in’.

The reality is I have not had one family tell us afterwards that they did not fit in or have anything other than a really positive experience.  It is as if they have found their community and finally found they do in fact fit in with everyone at the event, neurodivergent or neurotypical or any other variation. Everyone comments that the children are all so welcoming and so encouraging and so friendly that there is no difference and they all ‘fit in’ together.

This has been THE MOST rewarding part of what Lisa, Lucie, Elowen and I have been doing.  Sometimes it’s hard work and sometimes it’s tiring and it’s hard to turn our passion into a sustainable business, but the feedback that we get from the parents of all the children makes it worth continuing to develop and improve ours and their dreams.

We decided to set up a Facebook group called Hobby Horse Adventures with Diversity. There is no barrier to entry but it is a safe space for parents and us to discuss best practices and the best ways to make our events as accessible to all as possible.  

On the back of the group, we now aim to give as much information in advance of events. We have adult volunteers whose job it is to take the greetings and welcomes to another level being an appointed adult throughout the day that the parents and children can go to.  We also have child volunteers, many of whom themselves have their own ‘diversities’ that meant it wasn’t easy for them to attend their first hobby horse shows. They are the best examples of our brand as they are so kind and generous with their time and step out of their comfort zones to help other children settle in and have a friend for the day. All the children seem to make many friends regardless.

At Hobby Horse Adventures we did not expect what has unfolded but it has become the mainstream of our ethos. Be kind to all.  Be as accommodating as we can. Let the children lead the way in how we run our hobby horse events.

We now award rosettes to ALL of our attendees so no one leaves without a reward for their efforts.  It’s not a competition. It’s a fun and engaging community.

If your child has –

ASD, ADHD, Aspergers, PDD, Autism, Dispraxia, A Physical Disability, rr anything that challenges them please feel free get in touch so we can do our best to make the event a success for them. It’s what we do best.  

Also if you would like to help or volunteer for any of our hobby horse events or competitions please contact us today we are certain there will be something you will enjoy doing and even more certain that you will make new friends along the way.