10 Best Ride-On Horses for Toddlers

Learn more about our team & our review process here.

Toys Tested:31

Winners:13

Subject Matter Expert & Final Reviewer
Brandon Walsh

Brandon Walsh

B.A. & FOUNDER
DadsAgree Doctor Verified
This article was verified in accordance with the latest research from safety and child development experts.

Are you looking for a ride-on horse for your toddler?

Do they often pretend like the pillow is their horsie?

Do you think it might be time to get them their first ride-on toy?

If the answer to those questions is yes— Bonjour! We’ve done the research for you— this is the only review you’re gonna need!

In a hurry? Here's The Dads CHOICE FOR Best Ride-On Horses!

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Little Tikes Rocking Horse »

The This rocking horse is an absolute classic and is a fun and straightforward way for your toddler to burn off any excess energy!

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Why Choose Ride-On Horse Toys For Your Toddler?

It can be hard to decide which one to buy for your kid, and the variation between toys can be pretty drastic. You can find a riding horse toy with wheels that will let your toddler scoot around the house, large ride-on horses for older children, and even bouncy ones similar to sitting on a ball.

If you want to give your child the full horse riding experience, then an electric ride-on horse can be driven by your kid. The Rideamals horse is one of the most advanced versions of these, and it even acts like a real horse.

In this review, we did the hard research for you and found ten options so you can find the best ride-on horse for toddlers. We looked for the features that matter the most to you, which are the overall safety of the toys and how stimulating they were for children.

We agreed that essential features to think about were comfort, stability, and entertainment value. There’s a lot to keep in mind when searching for a reliable ride-on horse toy, but these factors are the most important.

Top 10 Ride-on Horses Review 2020

Horses have worked beside humans for centuries, and it won’t be long until your child sees a video or a picture of someone riding a horse. At first, this may lead to some healthy curiosity, but eventually, the dreaded request for a pony of their own will come along.

Real horses aren’t easy to care for, and even ponies aren’t ideal for toddlers and younger children to interact with. Luckily, you can find a ride-on horse for toddlers to play with to simulate the real deal.

After all of our research, we’ve decided on the ten best options for ride-on horses for toddlers. There’s a brief summary of each toy, followed by the pros and cons we discovered so you can make the right choice that best suits your child’s needs.

DAD’S #1 CHOICE
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1. Little Tikes Rocking Horse (Blue or Magenta)

This rocking horse is an absolute classic and is a fun and straightforward way for your toddler to burn off any excess energy.  This toy is meant to stay in place even while in use, so it’s easy to keep an eye on your child while they are playing.

Read Our Full Review
9.9
The DadsAgree score (out of 10) is generated using a weighted algorithm based on team reviews, amazon reviews & overall company trustworthiness.
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Best Push Ride-On Horse For Toddlers
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2. Qaba Kids Plush Ride-on Toy

This ride-on horse toy is ideal for children that need additional stimulation to stay entertained. It relies on your child’s movements to gain momentum and even makes noises to simulate riding an actual horse. 

Read Our Full Review
Best Ride On Toy Babies
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3. Inpany Bouncy Horse Hopper

This horse toy is an inflatable that your kids will love bouncing around the living room on. It’s a fantastic energy burner for the kids that just never seem to get tired. 

Read Our Full Review
The Best Ride On Toy For 1 Year Old
Rockin Rider Cookie Stable Horse1

4. Rockin Rider Cookie Stable Horse

While this ride-on horse toy is completely immobile, it still has the ability to keep your child entertained for very long play sessions. This toy specializes in its noises, which can be heard by pressing several buttons found all over the horse.

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Best Ride On Toy For 3-5 Year Olds
Best Ride On Toy For 3 5 Year Olds

5. Rideamals Scout Pony Interactive Ride

This particular ride-on horse toy is fairly expensive but also by far the most interactive that we’ve seen. It’s very high tech and can keep any child entertained for hours on end. 

Read Our Full Review
The Best Ride On Toy For 2 Year Olds
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6. Little Tikes Princess Horse and Carriage

This toy is perfect for imaginative children, especially little girls. Riding in the carriage lets them hold the reins while you guide them from behind. This makes it an ideal way to have walks around the neighborhood.

Read Our Full Review
Best Toddler Ride On Toy
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7. WALIKI Bouncy Horse Hopper

Another inflatable horse hopper, the WALIKI version differs a bit from the Inpany version. It has a fuzzy exterior for additional comfort and can be ordered in larger sizes for older children to enjoy. 

Read Our Full Review
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8. Rockin Rider Legacy Grow-With-Me Pony

Rockin Rider’s Grow-With-Me Pony is a great present for young kids that will change as they grow up. It has three settings for various age ranges, which will keep this toy viable for years after purchase. 

Read Our Full Review
Best Electric Ride On Toy For One Year Olds
Ponycycle

9. Ponycycle

The Ponycycle is another electric ride-on horse. It doesn’t have the interaction capabilities of the rideamals horse but is a very smooth ride that can even be used indoors.

Read Our Full Review
Best Ride On Toy For 3 Year Olds
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10. Smart Gear Pony Cycle

This mobile pony cycle is powered completely by the child’s movements. No batteries or charging means less to worry about and no play breaks for your kid. Your toddler bouncing on the saddle is what gives this pony cycle momentum.

Read Our Full Review

This rocking horse is an absolute classic and is a fun and straightforward way for your toddler to burn off any excess energy.

This toy is meant to stay in place even while in use, so it’s easy to keep an eye on your child while they are playing. It’s aimed at children between 1 and 3 years old, but it can be used for as long as the toddler can fit on it.

It also doubles as an effective development tool. Your child will quickly learn how to balance and coordinate themselves using this toy. This can help, especially if your toddler hasn’t been very successful in their attempts to walk yet.

It’s very durable, and even after your kid has outgrown it, it can still be used for years if you decide to donate or pass it on to another family. There’s no chance of a child breaking it, so you don’t have to worry about buying a replacement any time soon.

Another plus to this rocking horse is how easy it is to move around and store. It’s light enough that you won’t struggle moving it between rooms in the house or even outside, but sturdy and heavy enough that your toddler won’t be running off with it without you knowing.

DADS LIKEY

  • Simple with no construction
  • Great development toy
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Easy to watch your child when playing

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Seams can potentially be rough if not aligned well
  • Quickly outgrown

Qaba Kids Plush Ride-on Toy

9.9
Best Push Ride-On Horse For Toddlers

This ride-on horse toy is ideal for children that need additional stimulation to stay entertained. It relies on your child’s movements to gain momentum and even makes noises to simulate riding an actual horse.

It’s very stable, and your child will have no issues riding it around the house or even in the driveway. The momentum is created by the child standing up and sitting down rapidly, which is good exercise and excellent balance and coordination training.

The outside is plush with a sturdy saddle, and the inner framework is stable enough that your children can play on this for several years without risk of breaking it as they get bigger.

One of the nicest features it has that gives your child a realistic horse riding experience is the horse’s noises. There’s a button on its ear that creates realistic horse noises and galloping sound effects. It will be almost impossible for your kid to grow bored with this toy.

This is a bit on the larger side, so smaller toddlers should probably wait before playing on it. It’s an excellent exercise for a bigger child, but really young kids may struggle to get it going.

 

DADS LIKEY

  • Realistic sturdy saddle and plush exterior
  • Mobile and makes noise to simulate riding experience
  • Great exercise and balance practice for your kid
  • Lasts for years without signs of wear or tear

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Requires larger and stronger children to get the most out of it

This horse toy is an inflatable that your kids will love bouncing around the living room on. It’s a fantastic energy burner for the kids that just never seem to get tired.

It comes with a pump and only requires inflation before it’s ready for playtime. With a durable design and a weight limit of over 200 pounds, there’s no real way it can pop or be broken by your child unless you’re prone to leaving sharp objects lying around.

The bouncing movement simulates actual horse riding and will keep your child entertained as they hop around the house. It’s a simple design but very effective in helping toddlers develop their leg muscles and coordination.

Despite being inflatable, it held the air for long periods before requiring any reinflating. Even if your kiddo is enjoying their time with the toy, it may not have been worth it if you had to add air in between each play session.

While very young children require supervision to avoid hurting themselves, once they can fully jump off the ground with it, there will be no issues. It doesn’t lose its fun or charm for a long time, so expect your kid to play with it for years before outgrowing it.

DADS LIKEY

  • Easy to set up
  • Promotes great exercise and balance
  • Comes with a pump and doesn’t require constant maintenance
  • Bouncing motion simulates actual horse riding for imaginative children

DADS NO LIKEY

  • If there is a tear or hole, it becomes useless

This particular ride-on horse toy is fairly expensive but also by far the most interactive that we’ve seen. It’s very high tech and can keep any child entertained for hours on end.

Scout is the next best thing to getting your kid an actual pony, and they will be very pleased once they see his movement. This toy has motors that allow it to make reactions with its face and can even make noises when being fed or rode.

Riding on this toy can feel like riding an actual horse. The wheels are ideal for outdoor riding and can even handle dirt or grass. The turns it takes are a bit wide, so it may not be great for hallways or furniture indoors.

Due to all of the noises and interactions that stem from how your child handles it, this toy can help prepare children for actual pets. This can also be the beginning of showing your kid responsibility and caring for others.

This toy is also a breeze to assemble, with easy-to-follow instructions provided in the box it comes in. Recharging it is also no issue, so you won’t have to spend hours trying to bring it back to life when it stops responding to your kid in the middle of playtime.

DADS LIKEY

  • Highly interactive
  • Sturdy and easy to ride
  • Assembly and charging is a piece of cake
  • Is a great substitute for a pet

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Fairly expensive

This toy is perfect for imaginative children, especially little girls. Riding in the carriage lets them hold the reins while you guide them from behind. This makes it an ideal way to have walks around the neighborhood or let your kid imagine they are riding through a kingdom.

The carriage adapts safely to your child as they grow up. Initially, the floor of the carriage has a bottom so that smaller children won’t hurt their feet on the ground. As they grow up, this can be removed so that they can propel themselves where they want to go.

The horse also makes noises as it moves around. This gives good stimulation and helps your child believe that it’s the real deal.

A big plus is how adorable it looks. Your kid will love the appearance and will look like a real princess riding around in this.

It essentially doubles as a unique stroller and has a small cup holder for your kid to keep a drink in. The top also has a recess that you can store your things in while pushing your princess around.

DADS LIKEY

  • Adorable
  • Functions as a stroller
  • Can adapt as your child ages
  • Makes noises to simulate a real horse.

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Horse noise isn’t very loud
  • Storage for parents isn’t very large

Another inflatable horse hopper, the WALIKI version differs a bit from the Inpany version. It has a fuzzy exterior for additional comfort and can be ordered in larger sizes for older children to enjoy.

This toy also comes with a pump, so getting it set up for your toddler is a simple process. There are several different sizes, but children tend to quickly outgrow their size range. You don’t want to go too big to save money, though, as a higher fall can lead to injuries.

It can take a beating and will last for a long time without needing reinflation. The soft exterior also offers good protection for the inflated piece inside, so it’s much harder to damage or pop.

This type of toy is ideal for helping with coordination and balance. It’s also guaranteed to tire out even the most energetic toddler after a while, so it’s a great toy to introduce before naptime or bedtime.

DADS LIKEY

  • Soft and durable
  • Great for balance and coordination
  • Comes in different sizes for varied ages

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Is outgrown quickly

Rockin Rider’s Grow-With-Me Pony is a great present for young kids that will change as they grow up. It has three settings for various age ranges, which will keep this toy viable for years after purchase.

It transforms from a bouncer to a rocker to a spring horse. You can buy it before your kid is even a year old, and they will still be using it for the next few years. Switching between these modes is fairly simple, so you won’t have to waste a whole day making the transition.

The exterior is very soft, and your child will enjoy touching and playing with it. It’s sturdy too, with no real risk of overturning or falling over during play.

It also includes horse noises and songs to stimulate your child’s auditory learning. Being immobile, it’s also easy to keep an eye on your kid while they play.

DADS LIKEY

  • Soft and durable
  • Grows with your child
  • Helps with auditory learning

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Switching modes gives some people trouble

Ponycycle

9.6
Best Electric Ride On Toy For One Year Olds

The Ponycycle is another electric ride-on horse. It doesn’t have the interaction capabilities of the rideamals horse but is a very smooth ride that can even be used indoors.

It requires a smooth surface to work well, but it helps simulate actually riding a horse. Your child just has to use the reins, and the Ponycycle will start going.

Your kid will improve their balance and coordination, not just by trying to stay in the saddle but also by actually driving the horse. It’s easy to control, so they will have no issue learning how to master it.

It’s very soft to the touch but sturdy enough to handle any toddler. The acceleration and stopping systems are also extremely safe, so there won’t be any risk of your child going flying off at a sudden stop.

This toy was designed to inspire races or play with other Ponycycles. If you have multiple children or if your kid has neighborhood friends, this would be a great way to help them bond overplay.

DADS LIKEY

  • Promotes coordination and balance
  • Soft yet sturdy
  • Great for groups of kids
  • Simulates real horse riding

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Fairly expensive
  • Voicebox doesn’t last very long

Smart Gear Pony Cycle

9.6
Best Ride On Toy For 3 Year Olds

This mobile pony cycle is powered completely by the child’s movements. No batteries or charging means less to worry about and no play breaks for your kid.

Your toddler bouncing on the saddle is what gives this pony cycle momentum. This is a great exercise and helps them learn to balance effectively.

The exterior is soft and plush, with a sturdy frame that won’t break no matter how hard your child bounces. It comes in two sizes, so once your child outgrows the first, they don’t have to completely give up on the toy.

The wheels allow for indoor or outdoor use, so anything from the driveway to the kitchen tile is fair game. There’s also no way for the wheels to spin backward, so your child will be completely safe as they roll around.

DADS LIKEY

  • Soft and sturdy
  • Propelled by your child
  • Safe wheels and indoor/outdoor compatible

DADS NO LIKEY

  • Requires buying a larger one after being outgrown

Buying Guide

The vast majority of these ride-on horses can be found on Amazon. Each company has its own website as well in case there are any product-specific questions or issues. Most of the company websites allow for direct buying from them, but Amazon tends to offer better shipping options and prices.

Wal-Mart is also a great place to search for these toys if you want to buy directly in person. You can check availability before you go or merely browse once you get there. This method is more useful if you aren’t quite sure what to get your toddler because you can browse through the options.

Many of these toys are highly durable and long-lasting, so if you don’t want to buy a brand new one, there are plenty of listings online to buy them from Craigslist or eBay. You can also scan around your local Goodwill or a similar donation store to see if they have any of the toys in stock.

Below are a few common questions that parents ask when trying to figure out which ride-on horse toy to get their children, or if they begin asking about horses themselves:

Frequently Asked Questions

If they are truly interested in riding real horses, they can start between the ages of 3 and 5. However, starting off with one of the toys on this list can go a long way in preparing them for the real deal.
As long as you wait until your toddler is around nine months old, they are golden. There are variations of rocking horses that can be suitable all the way up until your kid is eight years old!
They are! Their balance and coordination will greatly improve if they play on a rocking horse often. It’s a good source of exercise, but the rhythmic motion of rocking can also have calming effects on your toddler.
Absolutely! They strengthen your toddlers motor skills, balance, coordination, and make for great toys that can burn energy and give your child plenty of stimulation. Just try to find the style that your toddler will relate to, whether it's cars, trains, horses, etc.

Conclusion

There are many factors to take into account if you think your child would be interested in a ride-on horse toy. Safety is always a major factor, but longevity and stimulation that the toy can offer are also things to consider.

Styles of rideable horse toys vary greatly. Rocking horses are simple yet efficient, while you can go even more in-depth and get a horse that moves and reacts on its own. The key is just to find what type of play your toddler enjoys the most.

Then, you can select the best ride on horse for toddlers (or any age) and get to rocking.

B.A. & FOUNDER

DadsAgree.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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