 One popular ancient local tradition involves the Hobby Horse , or Obby Oss , which takes to the streets on the eve of the first of May each year , with accompanying musicians and rival horses , for four days . In fact there are three rival hobby horses , the Original Sailor 's Horse , the Traditional Sailor 's Horse and the Town Horse . They appear on May Eve ( called " Show Night " ) , on May Day morning ( when they salute the sunrise at a crossroads on the outskirts of town ) , 2 and 3 May ( when a ceremony called " The Bootie " takes place in the evening called " Bootie Night " at part of town called Cher ) . Each horse is made of a boat @-@ shaped wooden frame , pointed and built up at each end , which is carried on the dancer 's shoulders . As at Padstow , his face is hidden by a mask attached to a tall , pointed hat . The top surface of the horse is covered with ribbons and strips of fabric . A long fabric skirt , painted with rows of multicoloured roundels , hangs down to the ground all round . A long tail is attached to the back of the frame . Each horse is accompanied by a small group of musicians and attendants . The Town Horse is accompanied by " Gullivers " , dressed similarly to the horse but without the large frame ; as at Padstow , smaller , children 's horses have sometimes been constructed . The horses ' visits are ( or were ) believed to bring good luck . In the past there was also a similar hobby horse based at the nearby village of Dunster , which would sometimes visit Minehead . The first of May has been a festival day in Minehead since 1465 . 
