I already know that in the 16th century,and that you have not read this article just yet, but the term "hobyn " had the meaning of "small horse and pony ". The term "hobby horse" was documented in a 1557 payment confirmation for a "Hobbyhorse" from Reading, England.
The item, originally called a "Tourney Horse", was made of a wooden or
basketwork frame with an artificial tail and head. Tourney Horse was designed for a
child to mimic riding a real horse. By 1816 the derivative, "hobby", was introduced into the vocabulary of a number of English people.And over the course of subsequent centuries, the term has came to be associated with recreation and leisure. In the 17th century, the term was used in a pejorative
sense by suggesting that a hobby was a childish pursuit, however in the
18th century with a more industrial society and more leisure time,
hobbies took on greater respectability. A hobby is also called a pastime,
derived from the use of hobbies to pass the time. A hobby became an
activity that is practised regularly and usually with some worthwhile
purpose. Hobbies are usually, but not always, practised primarily for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward
