Do you remember the horse songs you sang as a child? Gentle nursery rhymes and traditional children’s songs like Uma wa Toshi Toshi and Ouma no Oyako come back to us in quiet moments even now that we’re adults.
Here, we’ll introduce a generous selection of nostalgic nursery rhymes and hand-play songs with a horse theme! They’re perfect for singing together as a parent and child, using in childcare settings, and enjoying in many different situations—so take a look.
You’re sure to find that one song that’s stayed in your memory!
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Horses Appear! Recommended Collection of Children's Songs, Nursery Rhymes, and Hand-Play Songs (1–10)
All mothersNEW!American folk song
This is a song arranged for Japanese audiences from a folk tune that originated in 19th-century America.
Tomoko Nakayama’s Japanese lyrics pose questions like why a horse goes clip-clop as it runs and why a piglet’s tail curls—“no one knows why.” Easy-to-remember onomatopoeia is repeated to the rhythm, making it appealing and well-suited for creating parody verses.
Sung on NHK’s children’s programs, this piece has reached many homes and childcare settings through performances by Yuko Kanzaki and Osamu Sakata.
Combined with fingerplay or marching movements, it’s a perfect nursery song for parents and children to enjoy together.
HAPPY HONEY HORSENEW!Northern Horse Park
The hand-play song about horses produced by Northern Horse Park in Tomakomai, Hokkaido is a piece that expresses the fun of interacting with horses through dance.
It’s designed so that children can physically portray the characteristics of horses—like the clip-clop of running, affectionate nuzzling, long necks, and signature gestures—in time with the rhythm.
By weaving running and jumping movements into the lyrics and using lots of easy-to-mimic onomatopoeia, the song is structured so even first-time listeners can quickly sing and dance along.
Released in April 2023, the lyrics were written by Nanami Miyoshi and the Northern Friends, with music by Shuntaro Yamauchi and Nanami Miyoshi.
You can also enjoy the music video on the park’s official website.
Watching the video before your visit and then meeting the horses on-site will likely make the experience even more memorable.
It’s the perfect track for parents and children who want to move their bodies while growing fond of horses!
Playable on easy piano! KusakeibaNEW!Composer: Stephen Foster
Composed in 19th-century America, this lively piece depicts a horse’s brisk gallop with a bouncy melody and the rousing cry of “Doo-dah!” Since its publication in February 1850, it has been covered by many artists, including Bing Crosby and Kenny Rogers, and has been featured in the film Blazing Saddles and in Looney Tunes.
In Japan, it was also played during the equestrian performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic opening ceremony, making it a familiar tune in a wide range of settings.
There is plenty of beginner piano sheet music available, and because it’s written in C major, mostly on the white keys, even newcomers can enjoy practicing while feeling the sense of speed.
It’s a perfect choice for musical play both in childcare settings and at home!
Chagpon DanceNEW!Lyrics and Music: Joji Tada
This song, inspired by Iwate’s traditional event Chagu Chagu Umakko, is a local dance tune that parents and children can enjoy together along with Takizawa City’s official character.
Written and composed by Joji Tada, with choreography by the Iwate Prefectural University dance club, it was first performed on stage at the university festival “Jipusai” in October 2022.
The dance features cute, horse-riding-like movements and simple steps that even young children can easily imitate.
Set to a Vocaloid singing voice, it’s fun to move your body along, and the whole family can dance together while watching the video on the city’s official YouTube channel.
It’s used at local festivals and health-promotion events and is cherished as a song that fosters affection for the hometown.
Adorable foalNEW!Lyrics by Hachirō Satō / Music by Takio Niki
This song warmly portrays the life of a foal and a child, while carrying a curious, poignant sense of the times quietly creeping in.
You dry the foal’s wet mane, run together, and eventually part ways.
Such scenes unfold alongside rhythmic calls and responses.
The lyricist, Hachirō Satō, was active across a wide range from children’s songs to popular music, and the composer, Takio Niki, was a seasoned talent also known for film scores.
The work was released in December 1940 and broadcast nationwide the following January 1941 on NHK’s “National Songs.” It is closely connected to the film “Uma” (Horse), and has long been loved, later even featured in animated films.
Singing it as a family invites reflections on life in earlier times, and in early childhood settings it can be enjoyed as a play activity by imitating a foal’s movements.
Song of the Resounding GrasslandsNEW!Lyrics by: Yuzuru Kubota; Music by: Aki Maruyama
This piece opens a series based on Mongolian folk tales.
Poet Yuzuru Kubota and composer Aki Maruyama joined forces, and it was first unveiled at a premiere concert held at the Nagoya Civic Hall in May 2000.
It was later formally published in September 2002 as the opening number in the score collection Aki Maruyama Song Collection [Supplement]: Suho’s White Horse.
The lyrics weave in images of a steppe where wind and light resonate, and its bright, easy-to-sing melody makes it accessible for children.
It works beautifully in many settings—sung alongside a story reading in schools or preschools, or used as an introductory piece for recitals and concerts.
horse (childish/affectionate term)NEW!Lyrics by Yanagiha Hayashi / Music by Tsune Matsushima
This piece portrays a foal walking clip-clop alongside its mother, set to a gentle rhythm.
Lyricist Yanaha Hayashi is said to have written the words based on the scene of a mare and foal he saw at the Imperial Stock Farm in Chiba, weaving the affection between animal mother and child in simple language.
Composer Tsune Matsushima aimed for a vocal range and phrasing that are easy for lower elementary grades to sing, and created accompaniment that is easy to play on keyboard or harmonica.
After being included in the February 1941 national school textbook “Uta no Hon, Upper,” it continued to be adopted in textbooks by various publishers after the war, and in 2007 it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” It fits naturally into kindergarten and preschool choruses, and it’s easy to incorporate into fingerplay or instrumental ensembles.
If parents and children sing it together, they can have fun imitating the sound of hoofbeats.