How to Choose the Right Size of a Hobby Horse?

Size L – A3+

The size L Hobby Horse is a true giant and heavyweight. It can weigh up to 800 g (without the stick), and combined with its length, it becomes a really massive horse.

When does size L make sense?

👉 For leisure riders and trainers
Because of its size and weight, size L isn’t intended for ordinary “hobby” riding. We don’t recommend it for children or young riders. It’s mainly a horse for adults, particularly trainers and group leaders who appreciate its impressive presence.

👉 For sporty riders
Many of our leading dressage riders already know that the supposed “disadvantages” of size L (weight, dimensions) are actually its greatest strength. The heavier head and longer stick provide stability and counterbalance during advanced movements — for example, extended trot or pirouettes. You’ll often see these large horses at shows where appearance and presence matter most.

You won’t find size L in every online store — but at LarDen, we usually have a few pieces ready or can craft one specially for you.

Size M – A3

Size M is one of the most popular Hobby Horse sizes. Although it can weigh up to 650 g (without stick), children as young as six can handle it easily.

When does size M make sense?

👉 For leisure riders
Just like children tend to love the biggest horse in the stable, they often prefer the M size for Hobby Horsing. It offers endless play options — from bridling and styling the mane to trying out accessories and jumping over obstacles. Despite its larger size, it’s still easy to carry and ride both indoors and outdoors.

👉 For sporty riders
Size M is especially common in Western disciplines. Its proportions look perfect in movements where the head is carried lower, such as extended trot, spins, or backing up. The size ratio between horse and rider also looks particularly harmonious to the judges. In show jumping, it’s popular with riders over 150 cm or for jumps up to 80 cm, while in dressage it suits both smaller and taller riders.

Size S – A4

The size S Hobby Horse weighs up to 400 g (without stick) and is very popular among younger children. From around age 5 they can easily handle it — and many older riders keep one in their collection because it’s perfect for jumping. It’s light yet still has adult proportions, so it never looks like a foal.

When does size S make sense?

👉 For leisure riders
Size S is a universal leisure horse, great for playing at home, outdoors, or in the gym. It’s easy to carry, fits into a backpack, and even looks cute as a decoration in a kid’s room.

👉 For sporty riders
The “S” stands for sport! In disciplines like show jumping, puissance, or Western, size S is the most versatile. A simple rule applies: smaller riders – smaller classes; taller riders – larger classes. Children up to 140 cm can compete in any discipline with an S without limitation. Taller riders often choose S for higher jumps above 90 cm or for style-based competitions. Thanks to its lightness and control, it’s also ideal as a second training horse, especially for jump combinations.

Size XS – A5

Our smallest model — size XS — weighs up to 400 g including the stick. Developing this model was quite a challenge: we tested it for over a year across all age groups to find the ideal balance between stick length, thickness, and total weight. We also wanted to keep a realistic look with open mouth, mane, and firm ears. The result is a LarDen XS Hobby Horse that can be fully bridled and meets all competition standards — now one of the most popular models in sport.

When does size XS make sense?

👉 For leisure riders
Size XS is ideal for the very first contact with Hobby Horsing and is recommended from age 3. The XS horses are light, with thinner sticks that fit small hands perfectly. They’re also loved by older kids who like to treat them as “foals” in their stable.

👉 For sporty riders
Despite their small size, XS horses play a big role in competitions. Younger riders start with them in standard courses, while older ones prefer them for high jumps above 100 cm. In puissance events, XS models often make up most of the starting field. If this is your favorite discipline — go for the XS!