Hobby Horsing is the UK's strangest new pastime - even Love Islanders are giving it a go
The niche activity is the number-one trending hobby on YouTube with views of clips featuring the bizarre activity increasing 312% since March 2023.
Hobby Horsing is becoming a new favourite pastime
People are now opting to ride a stick horse instead of a real one, leaping over obstacles - sometimes on roller skates.
This peculiar activity is currently the top trending niche hobby on YouTube, with views of clips featuring this bizarre pastime increasing by 312% since March 2023.
Don't miss...
Kate has a unique hobby she does in the dark - William thinks she's 'crazy' [LATEST]
Take this quiz to find out if you could start a successful side hustle [LATEST]
Love Island star, Chris Taylor, can be seen in one clip, horsing around and proudly showcasing his lack of skills while learning other unusual hobbies.
This amusing video comes after a study of 2,000 adults revealed that 14% have kept a hobby secret from their loved ones. The main reasons for this include fear of judgement (46%) and concern that it might seem strange and odd (38%).
Google trends data has shown that unusual hobbies like Hobby Horsing, mini-baking and Kintsugi - the art of repairing broken pottery - are gaining popularity.
The study was commissioned by YouTube Shorts, which has teamed up with independent clothing brand Everpress to create a range of free limited-edition t-shirts to encourage Brits to proudly display their passions without fear of judgement.
The study also discovered that 54% of those surveyed prefer to learn a new hobby away from people they know - either alone or with strangers.
However, while they may be shy about their hobbies, exactly three-quarters - rising to 83% of 18-24 year-olds - consider their passions to be an essential part of their identity. Furthermore, 59% believe that having interesting hobbies influences how others perceive them.
The majority of respondents (75%) said that observing others engage in niche hobbies or interests online boosts their confidence to delve into a specific hobby themselves - a statistic that rises to 85% among 18-24 year olds.
Meanwhile, nearly half (48%) expressed regret for not having pursued more hobbies or stuck with a hobby during their youth.
Chris Taylor commented: "I'm thrilled to be involved in a campaign that inspires people to celebrate their unique interests and peculiarities."
"With a significant three quarters of the population viewing their passions as a crucial part of their identity, it's vital to take pride in your hobbies."
"As an avid rollerskater, I'm delighted to see niche hobbies gaining popularity."
