Irish Hobby

There is a great deal of evidence that the Irish Hobby was imported to England and Scotland for various activities, including racing, "...they be so light and swift.

This quick and agile horse was also popular for skirmishing, and was often ridden by light cavalry known as Hobelars.

Hobbies were used successfully by both sides during the Wars of Scottish Independence, with Edward I of England trying to gain advantage by preventing Irish exports of the horses to Scotland.

Robert Bruce employed the hobby for his guerrilla warfare and mounted raids, covering 60 to 70 miles (97 to 113 km) a day.

[3] A common Irish phrase associated with the term is "go get on your hobby horse", which is an idiom to complain about a subject, topic, or issue in which one is excessively interested.