Crying horse toy becomes viral bestseller after major factory mistake

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A soft, stuffed horse toy became popular online in China because a factory error gave it a sad face instead of a smile.

The toy designed for the Year of the Horse, nicknamed the “crying horse,” has surprisingly become very popular, with many people buying the sad-looking horse figure.

Reuters reports the toy was first spotted at Yiwu International Trade City, China’s biggest wholesale market. The red, plush horse was initially created as a happy decoration for the Year of the Horse.

Unfortunately, a mistake during manufacturing caused the toy’s mouth to be sewn on upside down, leaving it with a permanent frown.

Horse plush with manufacturing error becomes best seller

Zhang Huoqing, the shop owner, explained that she immediately offered refunds when she noticed the problem, but surprisingly, no customers asked for their money back.

Pictures of the horse with a sad expression quickly went viral on Chinese social media, and people started calling it the “crying horse.” The toy’s unhappy look became a popular subject for jokes and memes, with many users relating to it as a reflection of their feelings about work.

A funny mistake during production gave a horse plushie a surprisingly endearing look, and now it’s become a viral sensation! The toy, originally designed with a cheerful smile, ended up with what looks like a sad or ‘crying’ face. This little imperfection has captured the hearts of people online, and the plushie from Yiwu, China is quickly becoming a bestseller.

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) January 11, 2026

Zhang explained that people were making a joke about the two horses: the sad one represented how everyone looks at work, and the happy one showed how they look after work.

The toy’s ability to connect with people boosted sales before Lunar New Year, and it quickly sold out, requiring vendors to order more. Zhang explained to Reuters that she intends to continue selling the downcast horse, as she believes it honestly portrays the struggles of today’s workers.

This isn’t the first time a horse-related product has had a viral manufacturing mistake. Earlier in January, a plush toy from the game Umamusume was pulled from shelves after fans noticed a significant design error.

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2026-01-28 15:51