Home Made Hobby Horse

After watching my 2 year old, George at his sports day last week, I was amazed at his love for the hobby horse. He refused to get off and even went round the whole crowd of parents making horsey sneezey sounds and introducing his pony to everyone!! So with this in mind and money tight, I decided and attempted to make him his very own horse.

Have fun and get creative and make your own customised horse!!

This homemade hobbyhorse is perfect for kids who are rearing to go. Fashioned from a pair of old blue jeans, it requires no sewing. Just gather some string, felt, glue, yarn, polyester filling (available at craft stores), and a 3-foot-long wooden pole or something similar. Then, follow these six steps.

1. Cut off one jean leg about 2 feet up from the hem. Turn the leg inside out and use string to tightly tie the bottom closed.

2. Now, turn the leg right side out and glue on felt eyes and nostrils (i forgot mine!!).

3. For the horse's mane and forelock, arrange 8-inch lengths of colourful wool into four bunches of 35 strands. Tie each bunch in the center with another strand.

4. Starting 2 inches above the horse's eyes in the center of the trouser leg, cut 8 3/4-inch vertical slits (spaced a half inch apart). Weave one bunch of yarn through the first two slits, so that the ends stick out and resemble a forelock. Weave the other bunches through the remaining slits to create the mane.

5. For ears, cut the back pockets from the jeans and use string to tie the tops closed. Cut ear slits in the head and insert the tied ends of the pockets into them.

6. Stuff the horse's head (up to its ears) with polyester filling. Insert one end of the wooden dowel. Then, pack the neck with more filling and tightly tie the lower edge of the neck to the dowel. Finally, i used an old belt cut up to make a bridal and reins.