top of page
Zoë Brown

YOUR SAY: HOBBY HORSE THERAPY


Children who enjoy the thrill of a pony show, who might not have the means to access ponies or go to real pony shows, can now come together and enjoy a healthy, fun, and athletic competition that has been getting more attention in the equestrian press these days – hobby horse riding!

Hobby horsing is a gymnastic pastime that mimics movement sequences similar to those seen in show jumping or dressage, without real horses being used. Participants predominantly use self-made hobby horses.

Originating in Finland, there is now an annual national championship as well as regional competitions with a growing number of fans, though the sport is more popular with girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 18.

And though hobby horsing is often perceived as a childish pastime by ‘real riders,’ Fred Sundwall, secretary general of the Finnish Equestrian Federation, has said: "We think it's just wonderful that hobby horsing has become a phenomenon and so popular. It gives kids and teenagers who don't have horses a chance to interact with them outside of stables and riding schools.”

There’s also another interesting fact, often overlooked about this enjoyable pastime, and that is hobby horsing has given a real sense of belonging to participants who are neurodiverse.

These particular hobby horse riders are mindful and focused, and thrive on the therapeutic benefits of having a 'relationship' with their animal friend. They truly bond with the horses (as do I!).

They compete among new friends who share the same passion for suspending disbelief to revisit the innocence we once had in childhood and still have in rare moments where it's all about you, your chosen horse, and the new friends who support and enjoy the same beliefs.

At Hobby Horse Adventures, a company that was set up primarily for Elowen (my daughter) and her friends, we have been blown away by the excitement of the children that come to our shows.

We have created a space in the UK where there is finally somewhere they can come together and compete with their hobby horses and enjoy the friendships formed during hobby horse competitions.

When we started this company, I had no idea who might welcome it, but we have attracted children from all walks of life and we do our best to ensure that they all enjoy their day equally, no matter what their needs are.

Our competitors are the most lovely, kind and empathetic children imaginable. They may have been nervous about attending a 'competition' in an unknown destination among strangers at first, but they have come to love every minute of it.

In fact, we have had children even suggesting they want to live at our events (children say the most wonderful things).

What we also found, to our delight, was that we attracted children that otherwise felt isolated in their passions and their love of all things ‘hobby horse’.

My daughter, Elowen, makes new friends and revisits old ones at each event.  She and others see no difference between neurodiverse and 'neurotypical'. I believe if I asked her, she would not even know there was a difference as the children have not applied these labels to one another or picked up on ours.

The families who attend our events also give us positive feedback about how their children don't usually socialise, or have the confidence to make friends easily or to compete in sport. It’s so hard to find sports that are truly accessible for them.  

At our hobby horse events, all these children slide right in with happiness and comfort, their anxieties slipping away when they meet so many other children who share their special interest and passion.

I am so proud of what we have achieved with Hobby Horse Adventures.

I had no background working with children (although we are DBS, First Aid and Safeguarding trained for this). However, it has always been my wish to work with children or vulnerable adults – to create fun, engaging, captivating, and enjoyable events that they can truly excel at and feel passionate about.

What we do is the most rewarding job in the world. The children are happy and the parents are so pleased to see their children finally getting off their phones, exercising, and making new friends and, more importantly, smiling from ear to ear.

We have seen some real life-changing experiences among our children, some of whom have not had the best start.

Hobby Horse Adventures is all about the children and I am so happy to be a part of something that brings so much joy.

 

Hobby Horse Adventures (www.hobby-horses.co.uk)


 

untethered-long.png
bottom of page