The Hobby Horse was crowned the King of May

A shrine for us to live on the Minehead Bay

The Sailors Horse will dance and bow and play

In the old traditional way

Hail for the ancient King of May

A-One! A-Two! A-Three! A-Four! A-Five! A-Six! A-Seven! A-Eight! A-Nine! A-Ten!

Tradition

Its origins lost in the distant past the Sailor's Horse dances the streets of Minehead today as it has done for centuries. To the beat of the Drum and the zing of the Accordion it swings and swaggers through the town, flicking the air with its long tail, a bright shiver of ribbons and ostrich plumes, chasing the children, accosting the men and catching the women.

In the old days they say it frightened away the Danes. In the 21st Century it can still make the heart race and the legs get ready to flee.

The Hobby Horse is still a vibrant part of the English traditional landscape. Long may it stalk the streets of Minehead on Mayday... 

Which Horse am I looking at?

There is more than one Horse in Minehead

You can tell you are looking at The Original Sailors' Horse by its musicians and followers who wear white peaked caps, and collect for charity.