I want to make my son a halloween costume that looks like he is riding a horse any suggestions?

Question

I would like to make a horse costume that looks like my son is riding a horse. Where his body will come up through the horse and his legs are the horses back legs. I've found several sites where you can purchase this costume, but I would like to make him one. Any suggestions on where I can find a pattern or on how to go about making it?

Answer 1

When my son was 3, (he is now 26) I made him a costume like this that won first prize most original.

Designing Halloween costumes was my hobby and I made maybe 4 or a year for my kids and relatives. Some guidance will follow soon.

My kids won first prize most original at every contest they ever entered except one contest where my son won 3rd. He had a fit as he was never used to losing. We entered 7-10 contest a year (2 kids).

We won about $2000 in cash and prizes.

My 33 year old once said about 10 years ago that his favorite holiday was Halloween and he liked it better than Christmas which really surprised me. I have dozens and dozens of newspaper clippings from different suburban papers and ribbons galore.

This is an excelling opportunity to make memories for your child. We always had big brainstorming sessions with snacks where we threw out all kinds of ideas and thought of accessories. I involved them in helping when I could.

The key to winning is in the accessories. (example--bunny take a big carrot etc)

I made a suggestion earlier today where I mentioned some of the costumes I made. I put the link here.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AleF0fAP0t9DFOyK6YkMQeHsy6IX?qid=20060906163111AA7kL6d

Mine is the long answer.

As best as I can recall. I started with a box with a few inches around bigger than my sons waist.

I cut out the shape on a horse's head and put it in a slot I made on one side (front of box) and then taped the edge on the inside down. I added a tail (can't remember if it was cardboard or some kind of yarn --either would work or dye a mop head the color you want.

I put a cord front to back (of box--one end in the side back and one end in the side front. I did this on both sides. These were the straps to hold it on.

I had decided on a white horse with brown spots, Here you could use either material or white and add spots of felt or brown contact paper cut in a spotty look and applied.

I drew on eyes and mouth and face and I think the ears were cut out in that shape when I cut the cardboard I used for the horse's neck and head (side view)..I forgot to say I used cardboard for horses neck/head.

I added a yellow braided looking cord (like a drapery cord but smaller ) from the head that my son held unto like reins. The horse was now done/

Next I did his costume. He was a toy soldier. I got a red shirt (or reverse colors) and applied colored tape in the form of an x across the front of the shirt. I used yellow tape.

I made a hat by using bosterboard (top is a circle in 1 or 2 inch slits along it. I rolled a piece and taped to be the sides of a tall hat (like Lincoln) and put the circle on top and folded sides (slitted sides ) down and taped either on the inside or outside of the rolled cylindar sides.

I then applied fur (black or gray) to cover the paper..I think I added straps to hold it on his head (to tie it under his chin). I added a big red feather.

I made him pants (follow a pants pattern but I made it loose that was the same colors as the horse's body (white with brown spots). I think I used felt.

I made booties and put a horse's hoof on them or attached one to the bottom of the pants.

I then made stuffed legs to match for the horse's front legs (my son was the back legs)..and attached then to the inside of the box so they hung down.

I put my son in it and sized everything up right. Then I figured how to do the legs (right size for my son's body and made stuffed legs (maybe black or blue) I put him back in and figured how it would look as far as attaching legs so it looked like they were his legs to the front/side like a person riding a horse would have them.

I added a sword...and maybe a few accessories (sorry I can't remember what..it was over 20 years ago).

It was done and it was a sensational...won several prizes and lots of comments and smiles...

Good luck...if you are doing a cowboy or knight or something just change the outfit, hat, and accessories.

Answer 2

It really is cheaper to buy the costume, but, you could try and 'pick some parts' at a good thrift store or second hand shop. If youre able to find a large enough stuffed horse. With that, cut the body of the horse out and sew the remaining parts you want to a strong tank top or tee. Have him wear the shirt while you pin or mark the fabric for good placement. Use a pair of second hand jeans...etc. Everything being attached/sewn to the base tee. He could cover all the stitching with a nice cowboy shirt and scarf and cowboy hat. Make sure to put reins on the horse to hold up the heavy head.
Good luck and have fun!
Add'l: Oh I see his legs are the horses legs?
hmmm...dunno about that for my suggestion.
Sounds like you would need a larger horse or pattern for that. Or you could try my suggestion
by making your own pattern enlarged by taking a stuffed horse apart. Make the legs from a reg. pant pattern and go from there. Sounds like a tuff project. But your son will be soooo pleased!

Answer 3

maybe give him a cowboy hat to wear and like a cow print vest and cut a 2D horse out of cardboard w/ like a ribbon for the reins on either side, and just draw the face w/ permanent marker, or w/ glow paints if u want him to glow AND have a safe costume for ur kid. u could also glue a felt sadle blanket on it, and it'd be low enough for him to walk w/ it or something like that. a tail from braided string, perhaps? his legs wouldn't be the back legs of the horse, but it might work.

Answer 4

I agree that with a little imagination you can probably use the pictures you have found of costumes for purchase, and come up with a really great costume.

And don't worry about people who think that home making a costume for your kid is a waste of time. Those people probably are not or will not be very good parents!

Peace and blessings, W.

Answer 5

i say if you had some kind of stiff wire like a metal clothes hanger,you could build a frame and then just use the costume you make to put over it,use one of the pictures you found as a pattern,hope that works,happy treating

Answer 6

Go to your local craft store... they have many different patterns for sewing especially for halloween. I hope you are able to find what you are looking for.

Hugs from a Loving Mom to a Brillant, as well as beautiful 8 year old Jared and Our Angel, Zachary (taken to soon but who will always remain in our heart) ~ Mel

Answer 7

buy a horse costume and attach it to front of costume ( stomack and back or his costume a hoses head is what i mean and butt on his butt

Answer 8

glad you have so much time to waste

PS. wren, I'm a great mom, i just think that making crafts is a waste when you could be doing something cool like taking the kids out or something. a store bought outfit would look just as nice. you don't know me *****.

Answer 9

yeah call me 734-452-9090

Answer 10

use ur imagination