What is a hobby horse?
In British folk custom, a hobby horse is a costumed figure that imitates a horse, usually worn by a dancer who carries a frame or hoop around the waist. It is not a toy and has little to do with the children’s stick-horse of the same name. Instead, it is a performance figure that dances, prances and sometimes “attacks” bystanders, accompanied by music and a retinue of supporters.
Hobby horses are known in several parts of England and beyond, appearing in morris dancing, processions and seasonal festivals. The best-known Cornish example is the ’Obby ’Oss of Padstow, which is held on May Day, May 1. In local speech, “Oss” is the dialect form of “horse” and the apostrophe marks the missing initial H.
Padstow on May Day
The Padstow custom is one of the most celebrated events in the Cornish calendar. Early in the morning, the town is decorated with greenery and flowers, and the maypole is raised. Music begins, with drums and accordions playing a distinctive tune, and townspeople sing traditional songs known as the Day Song and the Night Song. Dressed in white, with touches of color, many locals take part, and the day is a major occasion for those with ties to the town.
There are two horses, usually called the Old ’Oss and the Blue Ribbon ’Oss, each with its own followers, colors and character. Each is led through the streets by a “teaser”, who dances in front and leads the horse with a club or similar prop, while the horse itself spins and sways to the music. At intervals the horse makes a dramatic pretense of collapsing and then rises again. The followers sing in alternating verses, and the crowds respond.
The procession winds around the town for much of the day. Different groups of supporters have their own traditions, and many local families have taken part for generations. The precise details, such as the order of the route and who may wear which costume, are known to the community and are not something outsiders should try to rewrite.
The costume and the music
The Padstow horse is built from a large circular frame covered with dark cloth, with a small mask on top and a flowing fringe or skirt around the base. The wearer is largely hidden inside. The snapping jaws and decorated head are intended to look more theatrical than realistic. The teaser carries a padded club and wears a distinctive hat, and companions wear bright, simple costumes.
The songs are part of the tradition and are sung in a call-and-response style. The Day Song speaks of the coming of summer and of May, with references to greenery, and the Night Song is sung at dusk, when the horses retire for the evening. The lyrics have been written down in various forms, and local pride in the singing is strong. Visitors will hear the words repeated many times over the day, and often learn parts of the chorus without meaning to.
Where did it come from?
Nobody knows. There are several theories, and none is certain:
- Some suggest it is a survival of an ancient pagan fertility rite or spring ritual, marking the return of summer.
- Others point to a medieval or early modern custom related to guilds, fairs, or royal celebrations, noting that hobby horses appear in English records from the sixteenth century.
- A well-known local tale holds that the custom commemorates a defense against a foreign ship, with the horse used to frighten off invaders. This is a story, not a documented event, and it is better treated as folklore.
- Some scholars see the horse as part of a general European tradition of masked animal figures, including the wild men and animal disguises recorded across the continent.
The documented history of the Padstow custom is much shorter than its supposed ancient roots, and detailed written descriptions are comparatively recent. Claims of a prehistoric origin are therefore best described as popular belief, not established fact. That does not reduce its meaning, since traditions of uncertain origin are common and often deeply felt.
Other hobby horses
Padstow is not alone, though it is the best known in Cornwall. Hobby horses are recorded in several other English places, such as Minehead in Somerset, and appear in various parades and morris sides. In Cornwall, there are accounts of horse figures in other communities, sometimes tied to midwinter guising and to the Christmas period rather than May, and a handful of modern groups have created their own versions for festivals. In some cases the hobby horse is a deliberate revival rather than a continuous custom.
Why it matters
Customs like the ’Obby ’Oss do several things at once. They bind a community together, they give a clear sign of the changing season, and they pass skills and songs between generations. In Padstow, the festival is also entangled with questions of identity, tourism and local ownership, and residents hold a range of views about how visitors should behave. As in Helston with the Furry Dance, the tension between a local ritual and a public spectacle is part of the story.
Visiting respectfully
If you plan to see the custom, treat it as the residents’ event first. Arrive early, because the town is very busy and parking is extremely limited. Public transport is a sensible option where available, and the narrow lanes around the harbor fill quickly. Stay out of the horse’s path, do not touch the costumes, and ask before taking close photographs of participants. Be careful near harbor edges and steps in a crowd, and follow police and steward directions. The date is fixed, but timings and arrangements can change, so check local information before you travel. Respect private property and local residents, many of whom will be taking part themselves.