Stick Horses

Children love animals, and since ancient times, they have been playing by imagining riding a steed using whatever they can get in their homes or apartments – from a broom to a horse toy. Over the centuries, the stick horse, also called a stick pony, has taken different forms and evolved to include more realistic features.

To emulate the rides of the adults, children used to play at riding a wooden stick horse, which only slightly looked like the actual animal – it was more like a broomstick. In the 19th and 20th centuries, thanks to new materials and manufacturing techniques, these toys became more realistic and available in different colors with plush heads, eyes, mouths, and even a mane and bridle. Nowadays, even a unicorn stick horse or a stick horse with sound effects won't be hard to find.

But stick horses are no longer just toys for children. In Finland, horse stick riding has become a sporting activity for many adults, so much so that a real national championship has also been established, attracting more and more participants every year.

Stick horse toys for children of any age

Man's fantasy and care for children have produced many types of toy horses over time, from the most precious rocking horses to the more simple and appreciated ones, like stick horse toys that are a great way to make any kid happy without spending a fortune.

Wooden stick pony toys have a simple design that features a long broomstick onto which a horse head is installed. In ancient times, the head was also made of wood, and the only soft part of the toy animal would have been the mane.

Nowadays, some stick ponies have a luxurious stuffed head made of plush or fabric, making the toy more realistic and pleasant to handle but also softer and thus safer for children. Moder horse sticks are equipped with many details, such as the eyes and a harness, and some battery-powered ones also have sound effects that imitate the characteristic whinnying sounds made by a horse.

Wooden stick horses for horse stick riding competitions

This practice is called Hobbyhorse and consists of imitating typical horse-riding competitions, such as show jumping and dressage, using stick horses instead of real ones. What people like most about horse stick riding are the respect for animals replaced by stick horses, the sense of community generated within the participant, and the exercise of imagination.

Stick horses used to perform this sport are usually bigger as they should be held by adults and made of light wood or aluminum with a wood finish. A stick pony for competitions is usually less realistic in design and doesn't feature sound effects, but it is more practical and easier to handle.