Old Horse facts for kids
.jpg)
Old Horse was a fun and old-fashioned custom, or folk tradition, from parts of north-eastern England. You could find this special event mainly in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and some areas of Yorkshire.
The custom involved a special hobby horse. This wasn't a real horse, but a pretend one mounted on a pole. A person would hide underneath a sackcloth (a rough fabric bag) and carry the horse. This made it look like the horse was moving on its own!
Old Horse is a type of "hooded animal" tradition. These are old customs where people dress up as animals, often with a hood or covering. You can find different versions of these traditions all over the British Isles.
Contents
What is the Old Horse Custom?
The Old Horse custom was a lively folk play or performance. It usually happened during special times of the year, like Christmas or New Year. People would often go from house to house, performing for others.
How the Old Horse Looked
The main part of the custom was the "Old Horse" itself. This was a hobby horse, which means it was a fake horse's head, often made of wood or cloth. It was attached to a pole. A person would hold this pole and be covered by a large piece of sackcloth. This made them look like the body of the horse.
The person hidden under the sackcloth would make the horse "dance" or move around. Sometimes, other performers, like musicians or singers, would join in. It was a way for communities to celebrate and have fun together long ago.
Where Was the Old Horse Custom Found?
The Old Horse tradition was popular in a specific part of England. It was mainly seen in the counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. You could also find it in some areas of Yorkshire.
Old Horse and Old Tup: Similar Traditions
The Old Horse custom had a lot in common with another tradition called the Old Tup. "Tup" is an old word for a male sheep or ram. So, the Old Tup custom featured a goat or ram instead of a horse.
Both Old Horse and Old Tup were found in many of the same villages, especially in Derbyshire. However, Old Horse was less common in Yorkshire than Old Tup. On the other hand, Old Horse spread further into Nottinghamshire than the Old Tup custom did. These traditions show how different parts of England had their own unique ways of celebrating.
