Hobby horse training: beginner exercises and a practice plan

Where to practise and what to prepare

At home, work on halts, markers and short transitions if the floor has grip and the space is clear. Running and jumping need a larger area. Remove objects from the route and check the surface and hobby horse head attachment. An adult should help children check the space and equipment.

Choose suitable footwear, a comfortably sized hobby horse and a few flat markers. A stopwatch is optional: consistent repetitions matter more than speed initially. A class can provide a coach, feedback and an appropriate space; check arrangements with the chosen club.

Structuring one session

Begin with easy walking and comfortable movements without jumping, gradually approaching your chosen pace. Break one exercise into parts, then connect them into a short sequence. Rest between attempts. Finish with easy walking and a short note about what worked.

This plan does not prescribe a fixed number of repetitions or promise results by a deadline. Shorten the session when tired, do not continue through pain and do not increase difficulty just to complete a table. Use an easier variation when a movement is not yet comfortable.

Four exercises without high obstacles

Line and halt. Place two markers, walk between them and halt near the second. Repeat in the other direction. Aim for a straight line and a controlled finish rather than a last-second stop from a run.

Transition at a marker. Connect walk, a short stretch of trot and walk again. Change the movement near the marker. In a small space, use only walk and halt.

Wide figure of eight. Travel around two markers on smooth curves, changing direction in the middle. Do not tighten the turn for speed. Walk the pattern without the hobby horse first if the stick gets in the way.

Numbered route. Place three markers and visit them in a set order. Say the next number before turning. This practises course memory without needing to jump.

A flexible first-four-session plan

This is a sequence of topics, not a compulsory daily timetable. Repeat a topic across several sessions if useful, and fit rest and frequency around how you feel and other activity. Move on when the current task feels controlled and clear.

1. Session 1: walking straight lines, halts and comfortable handling.
2. Session 2: transitions at markers and broad turns.
3. Session 3: a practice dressage routine or a three-marker course.
4. Session 4: repeat the chosen sequence and work on one difficulty.

Choosing a direction

If you enjoy patterns, music and precise movements, try dressage. If obstacles and navigating a course appeal to you, explore show jumping. Both share rhythm, spatial awareness, comfortable handling and controlled movement. There is no need to specialise after the first session.

A practice log and event preparation

Record one goal, one observation and one small next step. For example: “figure of eight — the left turn was smoother — repeat the right turn without speeding up.” Compare the same exercise under similar conditions; height and speed should not be your only measures of progress.

Before a competition, find a suitable class and read its rules. Check required movements, equipment, age groups and running order. Rehearse the chosen format: a home-practice route alone does not prepare you for every event.

Frequently asked questions

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