Horses Appear! Recommended Collection of Nursery Rhymes, Children's Songs, and Hand-Play Songs
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)
Song of the Resounding GrasslandsSakushi: Kubota Yuzuru Sakkyoku: Maruyama Aki
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.
HAPPY HONEY HORSENo-zan Ho-su Pa-ku
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! KusakeibaSakkyoku: Sutiibun Fositā
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!
Horses Appear! Recommended Collection of Children's Songs, Nursery Rhymes, and Hand-Play Songs (11–20)
Horse and boaramerika min’yō
This is a lap-bouncing play song that babies can enjoy once they have stable head control.
The caregiver sits on the floor with legs extended, places the child on their knees, and sings while bouncing them up and down.
At the end, with the onomatopoeic “paka!” the caregiver opens their legs to catch the child, prompting smiles and giggles.
The lyrics are short and easy to memorize, designed to deepen parent–child bonding while sharing the feeling of riding a horse.
The words and sound effects vary slightly by region, which is part of the charm of a traditional children’s ditty passed down orally.
It’s a staple repertoire at daycare centers and child-rearing support centers, and it was even recorded in 2006 as a children’s song from Saga.
It’s a perfect piece for playful interaction with your baby.
Horse lessonswarabeuta
This is a very short traditional children’s song themed around horses.
With the chant “Onma-san no okeiko” (“Horsey’s practice”) and simple counting, it’s enjoyed as a movement play activity: seating a child on a parent’s lap to bounce them up and down, or carrying them on the back and walking slowly like a horse.
In January 2008, a roughly 25‑second version sung by Emiko Kobayashi was included on the album Warabe-uta, Nekase-uta: Songs to Nurture Babies’ Hearts and Bodies, and it has since been widely used in childcare settings.
Because the short phrases repeat, you can sing it over and over while watching the child’s reactions, making it perfect for deepening parent–child bonding.
Try incorporating it in a variety of situations—as a warm-up, as an introduction to group activities, or as a hands-on playtime at home.
The little cowboy has arrived.Sakkyoku: Sakata Hiroo / Sakushi: Arekisu Sakkyoku Tom Tirilin Tom
This song, which depicts a lively cowboy galloping across the vast western plains, was selected in an Italian children’s song contest in 1965 and was given Japanese lyrics by Hiroo Sakata.
It vividly portrays a little cowboy from the cactus-blossoming West riding along on his horse while strumming a banjo.
The repeated “la-la-la” set to a marching rhythm is delightful and makes children naturally want to move their bodies.
It was first broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1966, and was later sung on “Okaasan to Issho.” In 1991, a single was also released by Ichiro Mizuki.
It’s a perfect children’s song for everyone to sing together with rounds and handclaps, full of energy!
Run, Kotaro!Sakushi: Ikeda Kenkichi / Sakkyoku: Ikeda Kenkichi, Maeda Nobuo
Released in July 1970 as a parody of horse-racing commentary, this Salty Sugar track sings out an imaginary derby in a comical, announcer-style delivery.
The lyrics were written by Kenkichi Ikeda, and the music was co-composed by Ikeda and Nobuo Maeda.
Its charm lies in a high-energy arrangement that fuses acoustic guitar, handclaps, and shouted calls.
The song topped the Oricon weekly chart and won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards.
It later became a staple as background music for school sports days, was adapted with new lyrics for the 1996 anime Midori no Makibaō, and was covered in 2018 for Uma Musume: Pretty Derby—remaining beloved across generations.
It’s a perfect pick for enjoying announcer-style singing with kids or hyping up a sports event.