What’s the next best thing to an American Quarter Horse? Building your own mop pony to ride!

Mop Pony Trail Rides offered at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

On your mark, get set … GO!

Want to feel the excitement of winning your very own mock horse race? Then you’re going to need a mop pony.

Some of Two Bits’ best friends are mop ponies down at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum.

Some, such as Hind Sitz 2020, are best racing barrels at local rodeos, while others, like Peachio, rule the ring at slower-paced western pleasure classes.

Build your own mop pony and see what its specialty turns out to be.

Instructions:

Mop ponies are great class activities and can be as simple or complex as you would like to make them. The mop ponies we have for our trail rides at the Hall of Fame have fabric strip bridles and large wiggly eyes, but you can get creative and customize your mop pony in countless ways.

Look for the green handled mops at local dollar stores. They are inexpensive and make the best ponies.

Materials:

Mop
4 strong rubber bands
Twine, leather or fabric strips, or yarn for bridle and reins
Wiggle eyes
Hot glue gun

Gather up mop strings in your hand. The first 1/3 of the mop head will be
folded under and rubber banded close to the stick (throat area of the of the horse) to make the length of the head.

A second rubber band will be wrapped around the nose.

To make ears, pull up three mop strings for each ear, braid or twist, fold over, and rubber band close to the head.

Use yarn, twine, or fabric strips to create a bridle. An adult can hot glue this in place. Hot glue wiggle eyes into place.

                           Two Bits also made a printer friendly version for you, with illustrations!

Crazy about horses? Test your knowledge with AQHA’s Junior Master Horseman program. You can even earn certificates!

The Name Game

Now that you have your mop pony, what will you name it?

A good name for a good horse is very important. You want to make sure it’s something the other mop ponies in the corral won’t make fun of and a name that you’ll be excited to hear announced after you win your first mock race. If you need some ideas, you can check out the Two Bits family tree.

Once you have a great name for your new mop pony, it’s time to get out there and ride.