Horses of Myth / Legend / Folk tale
Instead of jumping right into the meat of this blog, a brief description of oral narratives may offer clarity on them.
For millenniums, storytellers have passed down oral narratives to friends and family. Continuing the practice from generation to generation, along with the invention of script, many stories live to present day. Some stories have parallel versions in many cultures; even though there may be variations in the events or characters the main idea behind the narrative is still preserved. Today, traditional stories are categorized into different genres (illustration 1). There are several genres of oral narratives while myths, legends and folktales are the ones highlighted in this post. Today, myths, legends and folktales are often used interchangeably in common speech because of their similar characteristics.
Several elements of a story can hold narratives to certain genres, but the degree of truthfulness within a story and determining how much of the story is based on a true event is an evident distinction. Even though fact can be used as a direction in categorizing, there are some stories that will shift between the different genres, and others will not fit into any group. Illustration 2, tries to show how the oral narratives merge into each other as well as how the identifiable difference of fact dissolves and the meaning of the story becomes paramount between the genres.
Now, on with some of the narratives confirming the impact the horse has held and continues to hold in human culture.
The human fascination with horses dates back to our caveman ancestors and perhaps beyond. No other creature has shaped the history of man like that of the horse. With the diffusion of the horse, it found its way into the deepest facets of human culture. From the first horse that labored for man to the most precise event winner, the loyalty, power and strength of character have the horse ranking high marks of honor and admiration with man.
The beauty, elegance, and spirit of the horse are a source of inspiration, creating thoughts capable of carrying one to faraway places. They abound in the stories man has carried with him through time. The horse easily wins a special seat in history, and naturally it has figured strongly in our stories. The value of the horse is historically present in many narratives often making the horse an icon in man's own history. There is enough horse lore to fill shelves and shelves with narrative, both in work and art and below are just a few stories expressing the force the horse has left on our lives.
The never-ending influence the horse bestows upon the world’s cultures leaves man with feelings of respect, value and affection.
LEGENDS
NATIVE INDIAN
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| Art by Linda Bergkvist |
The Enchanted Horse
A Malecite Legend -
Running from the Devil and his black horse, the Gray Horse carries Louis to the sea. The Gray Horse was a beautiful, powerful creature with a silver tail and gold mane and ears.
Glacier Song of the Horses
A Navajo Legend -
Johano-ai, the Sun-God, rides across the sky each morning from his home in the east to his home in the west caring with him his shining gold disk, the sun. He has five horses--a horse of turquoise, one of white shell, one of pearly shell, one of red shell, and one of coal. His horses graze on flower blossoms, and drink from mingled waters. When the skies are blue and the weather is fair, it is said the Sun-God rides his horse of turquoise, or the one of white shell, or the one of pearly shell. But when the heavens are dark with storm, he mounts the red horse or the horse of coal.
Water Spirit's Gift of Horses
A Blackfoot Legend –
As he turned around, Water Spirit saw a strange animal at the end of a rope, it was a horse. A voice told him to mount the animal and he did so. Water Spirit headed towards camp and by the time he arrived many other horses were following him. Frightened by these strange animals, the people of the camp were hesitant to approach him and the different looking creatures that trailed behind him. He gave all his people horses from the herd that had followed him and soon thereafter all of them had mounted their horses. He began to show everyone how useful the horse could be. His people made him chief when he grew older and since then every Blackfoot chief has owned many horses.
AMERICAN
Widow-Maker was the name of Pecos Bill’s horse. According to the legend, Pecos Bill’s parents journeyed west with their eighteen children in a covered wagon. Pecos Bill was an infant during this travel and fell out of the wagon unnoticed by the rest of his family near the Pecos River. A pack of coyotes took him in and raised him.
After many years, Pecos Bill was found by his real brother and managed to convince him he was not a coyote. Now, back in civilization, Pecos Bill became a cowboy. His horse Widow-Maker was a slender horse with brown fur and a blonde mane and tail. He was so called because no one could ride him except Pecos Bill and live. Widow-Maker was also called Lightning for his speed.
Born James Butler Hickok in 1837, Wild Bill was a lawman, gambler and gunfighter. His horse, Black Nell, was a mare that would lay down just by Hickok’s touch, come on command and even jump up on a pool table. When coming off the table Bill sprang upon her back, dashed through the high wide doorway, and at a single bound cleared the flight of steps and landed in the middle of the street. William F. Cody owned several horses throughout his life. Below are some of the others.
Buffalo Bill was the name of Cody’s beloved mustang. This horse was used for hunting and gave Cody his name and sealed his reputation.
Charlie was another equine partner of Wild Bill which he rode in many performances. Charlie died on a sea crossing from Europe and it is said that Cody lit candles throughout the ship deck and assembled the cast to sing Auld Lang Syne as old Charlie was wrapped in an American flag and lowered into the ocean.
Isham was Buffalo Bill’s favorite steed. He rode this white stallion in his Wild West shows for 25 years.
Tall Bull was a fine horse mounted by an Indian sub-chief. William F. Cody spotted this horse and ambushed and killed the Indian and took his mount. Cody ran the steed in a number of races and won a considerable amount of prize money.
Tucker was the name of another horse Buffalo Bill performed on before hundreds of spectators.
GREEK
"The Horse and the Maiden" is an Urban Legend from Ancient Athens. The maiden, Leimônê, meaning “Taming of the Horse”, is punished by her father, Hippomenes, meaning "Spirit of the Horse. A girl of such social status is educated preparing her for marriage; it is a process of taming. Leimônê failed to complete the taming process and so she remained wild like a filly. Since she acted like an untamed horse, then she will be punished by a horse. Hippomenes shut Leimônê in a building with a horse and there she died.
ENGLISH
In ancient British legend, the well-known King named Arthur owned a few horses. Hengroen, meaning "old skin", Spumador, meaning "the foaming one" and the other, probably his favorite steed, Llamrei, meaning "the curveter" – A curveter is one who curvets which is a leap by a horse in dressage in which its hind legs are raised just before the forelegs touch the ground. Llamrei was a powerful mare; she bore great loads, for once she carried four of Arthur's wounded companions after they had been thoroughly beaten by the Black Hag in her cave. Later French sources call his horse Passelande.
Brigadore or Brigliadore is the name of Sir Guyon's horse in Spencer's Faërie Queene. Braggadochio had stolen Brigadore from Guyon long ago. Wishing to establish Guyon's claim properly, and Braggadochio refusing to fight over Brigadore, Sir Artegall began to ask how the steed had been taken away and if he could describe any secret token born by the horse. Sir Guyon mentioned the distinguishing black spot in its mouth, like a horse-shoe in shape. Men tried to verify this marking, but Brigadore would not allow anyone near him until Sir Guyon himself spoke to him, and called him by his name, "Brigadore." Instantly the horse understood his voice and stood perfectly still and allowed everyone to see the secret mark. After that, Sir Artegall plainly saw to whom he belonged. Brigliadoro is the Spanish form of French Brigliadore, meaning "golden-bridle."
Bronzomarle is the name of the horse that belonged to the Arthurian legend, Sir Launcelot Greaves. Bronzomarle means "a mettlesome sorrel."
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| Art by Theodore Gericault |
Legend of Sir Robert de Shurland -
According to legend, a 14th century member of the family, Sir Robert de Shurland had a quick temper which impelled him to commit impetuous acts of violence. After one of these incidents which resulted in the death of a monk, Sir Robert visited the Isle of Sheppey in 1327 in hopes of obtaining a royal pardon for his involvement. Sir Robert's horse, Grey Dolphin, carried him over land and through the water to where the king's ship lay anchored. The king was so impressed by the feat of horse and rider that he granted forgiveness.
However, upon returning to shore, Sir Robert encountered a witch who told him that his horse would be the cause of his death. In another fit of rage Sir Robert quickly dismounted and cut off Grey Dolphin's head. By some accounts it was almost a year later when Sir Robert was travelling on the same stretch of shore and thought he saw the same cackling hag who had made the prophecy. Once again Sir Robert's rash nature overcame him and while attempting to chase the witch, he was pierced in the foot by a sharp bone fragment protruding from the ground where Grey Dolphin had collapsed after being slain.
Sir Robert contracted blood poisoning from his wound and died within days. The remains of this earliest baron lie beneath an altar on the south side of Minster Abbey, or to give it its full title, the Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Sexburgha. A recumbent statue of Sir Robert decorates the top of the tomb and an image of the head of his horse, Grey Dolphin is sculpted beside the statue's legs.
Gringolet was the name of the Arthurian Legend Sir Gawain's horse, famous for his ability in combat. He first appears in Chretien de Troyes's Erec and Enide where he is borrowed by Sir Kay for a joust against Sir Erec. Gringolet probably has the meaning of "white-hardy" or "handsome-hardy."
Sir Carados Briefbras is remembered in Arthurian legend as a Knight of the Round Table. His horse named Luagor, means "host splitter".
FRENCH
The Italian epics of Torquato Tasso (Rinaldo), Orlando innamorato (1495) by Matteo Boiardo, and Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto are all founded on the legends of the paladins of Charlemagne that first appeared in the chansons de geste, manuscripts about legendary incidents, sometimes based on real events, in the history of France during the eighth and ninth centuries; later categorized in the late eleventh to fifteenth centuries.
Bayard is the magical bay horse in the legends of the chansons de geste (“Songs of Heroic Deeds”). Bayard, once was the property of Amadis of Gaul, but later belonged to Renaud, one the four sons of Aymon. Before being given to Renaud by Charlemagne, it was found by Maugris, who was Renaud's cousin and a magician, in a cave guarded by a dragon which the magician slew.
Bayard had remarkable swiftness and the capability of understanding human speech. In addition, it had the ability to grow larger or smaller as one or more riders mounted it. Because of Bayard’s exploits, Charlemagne punished Renaud and had a large stone tied to Bayard's neck and then pushed the horse into the river. Before falling into the water; Bayard smashed the stone with his hooves and escaped to live forever more in the woods. According to tradition, the horse flees at the approach of man; so that no one can ever hope to catch him. Many believe one of its foot-prints may still be seen in the forest of Soignes, and another on a rock near Dinant. (French: Bayard; Italian: Baiardo; Dutch: (Ros) Beiaard)
Brigadore is the name of Orlando's famous charger in Orlando Furioso, second only to Bayardo in swiftness and wonderful powers.
Tachebrun was the name of Ganelon's war-horse. The charger was fed the finest of grains, carried a silver- broidered saddle upon his back and reins decorated in gold lined his neck.
Vegliantino is Roland the paladin's trustworthy and swift horse in the stories derived from the chansons de geste. Known as "the little vigilant one, he is renamed Brigliadoro in “Orlando Innamorato” and “Orlando Furioso.
ITALIAN
Aquiline was the name of Raymond's steed in Tasso’s “Jerusalem Delivered”. He was sired by the wind to a Lusitanian mare on the banks of the Tagus. Aquiline was particularly remarkable with a Roman nose, powerful body and exceptional level-headedness.
Raymond was Count of Toulouse and commander of some 4000 infantry. He was remarkable for his wisdom and coolness in debate. He owed a measure of his success to Aquiline; this horse probably saved him from annihilation upon more than one occasion.
Hippogriffs were the offspring of a griffin and a mare. They had the beak, wings, feet and crest of a bird but in all other aspects it resembled a horse. Much easier to tame and faster than the griffin, a hippogriff was usually the creature of either a knight or a sorcerer.
SPANISH
Clavileno the Winged is the name of the wooden horse ridden by Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. This horse was an elaborate trick arranged by pranksters wanting to humiliate the Knight of the Mournful Countenance, Don Quixote and his gullible sidekick, Sancho Panza. They rode Calileno to achieve the liberation of Dolori'da and her companions. The horse was governed by a peg in its forehead.
Frontaletto is the name of Sacripant's charger in Orlando Furioso. He was a horse with a little head able to do extraordinary things. Sacripant was the King of Circassia and would hold secret consultations with Frontaletto in which the steed understood every word of his master.
Rabicano or Rabican is a Spanish name meaning "dark tail but with some white hairs." This is a horse produced by enchantment and nourished only by the air. Made of hurricane and flame, this magical horse is light on its feet leaving no footprints behind and at full speed it can run faster than an arrow. He is the horse of Argalia in Orlando Innamorato who rides him until he is defeated by Aridana and falls into the underworld. Afterward, Astolpho rides Rabicano on to Alcina’s whale and to escape enchantment. In Orlando Furioso, Rabicano is described as having a coal-black hue and being exceptionally swift. He is ridden by Melissa, the good sorceress, who freed Astolpho from Alina’s spell.
Rocinante is the name of Don Quixote's loyal steed. Don wanted a name that signified a horse belonging to a knight so famous as he, one showing merits of the horse and incorporating the horse’s condition as a hack before he became what he is now. It took four days of thinking by Don to arrive at the distinctive name of Rocinante. Rocín in Spanish means work-horse or low-quality horse ("nag").
ARAB
The Foal’s Blood-stained Shoulder -
During the times when nomadic tribes of Bedouin people wandered the deserts of what is now the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Mesopotamia and Persia, the legend of the Bloody Shoulder Arabian was born. For hundreds of years, this story was handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. A Bedouin warrior saddled up his most prized Arabian mare that was with foal. During the act of battle, the mare gave birth to a strong healthy filly. Struggling to keep up with the mare and with the enemy quickly gaining on them, the warrior took his lance and pieced the foal through the shoulder. The mare understood the act and realized the foal would no longer be following her. Even though she was filled with grief, the loyal mare carried her warrior rider safely to his camp.
When the warrior awake from sleep, he noticed something astounding through the tent door, a day-old filly standing by the mare’s side. This was the same foal he had killed the day before. With no injuries, the foal carried just a patch of blood-stained hair across its shoulders. Believing the foal was a treasured gift from God, the warrior vowed to raise the foal and take special care of it. The foal’s blood-stained shoulder was never lost and she passed on these special markings to her offspring.
There are different versions of this legend as well as the various names used to described the blood-stained shoulder, i.e. blood marks, blood stains, blood markings, and bloody-shouldered Arabian.
INDIAN
Zuljanah was the horse of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad. The original name of Zuljanah was Murtajiz. When Husayn ibn Ali was a child, he visited the stable of Zuljanah, owned by an Arab named Haris. Zuljanah was a beautiful, powerful white stallion. Muhammad would watch the two together and on several occasions noticed his grandson looking curiously at the horse as if some mysterious conversation was taking place. Muhammad asked Husayn if he wished to ride the horse and with a response of yes, Muhammad ordered the horse saddled. When Husayn approached the horse, the horse suddenly lowered itself to the ground to allow the boy to mount him. Muhammad purchased the horse from Haris for his grandson.
Husayn rode this horse in the battle of Karbala and it is believed Zuljana killed 31 enemies of Husayn. After Husayn died, filled with sorrow, Zuljana went to the camps of Bibi Zainab and then he jumped into the Furat lake.
GERMAN
Grane is the name of Brünnhilde’s horse in the Germanic legend, “The Ring of the Nibelung”. Siegfried and Brünnhilde are lovers and when Siegfried goes off to new adventures, he rides away on Brünnhilde’s horse, Grane. After the death of Siegfried, Brünnhilde rides her grey-colored horse into the flames of the funeral pyre for Siegfried.
SERBIAN
Jabucilo was a winged horse belonging to Momcilo, a man of immense size and strength who possessed magical attributes. Momcilo carried a saber with eyes while upon Jabucilo.
Sarac was the wonder horse of Prince Marko Mrnjaveevic. He and his horse were inseparable. His companion and friend, Sarac was piebald and could talk. Legend has the Prince looking for a horse that could bear him. In order to test a steed, Marko would grab him by the tail and sling him over his shoulder. One day Marko noticed a spotted piebald foal and he grabbed it by the tail, but could not move him at all. Marko bought and tamed the foal, naming him Sarac (after sara "dapple"). Sarac grew up into an extremely powerful horse. The horse could leap three spear-lengths high and four spear-lengths forward, which enabled Marko to pursue and capture the dangerous and elusive vila called Ravijojla.
Zdral was the extraordinary horse of Milos, a medieval Serbian knight in the service of Prince Lazar. Milos was celebrated as the hero of supernatural birth and strength. His father was said to be a dragon and his mother was a fairy. Supposedly, Milos got his strength from the milk of the mare.
MYTHS
NORSE (Scandinavian)
Arvak and Alsvid were the names of two horses that pulled the sun goddess Sunna's chariot. It was said that the sunlight came from their manes, while the sun itself, only gave off heat. Alsvid wears bellows beneath his shoulders to cool him down. They are also called by the Icelandic names Arvakur and Alsvidur. Arvak is also known as Aavak and Alsvid is also known as Alswider
Falhofnir, Glad, Glær, Gíslis and Gyllir are horses not assigned to any specific deity, but are the horses among the many steeds ridden by the gods each day when they go to make judgments..
Greyfell is a Norwegian name meaning "grey colored." This is the name of Siguror's horse.
Gullfaxi means golden mane and was a horse originally owned by Hrungnir, and was later given to Magni by Thor as a reward for helping him in the fight against Hrungnir. Also spelled Guldfaxe , it was equally fast on land, in the air and on the water, but not quite as fast as Sleipnir, Odin's horse.
Gulltopp is a Norwegian form of Old Norse Gulltoppr, meaning "golden mane." This is the name of the horse of Heimdall.
Hofvarpnir is an Old Norse name meaning "hoof-thrower." This was the name of a horse belonging to the goddess Gná, a handmaid of Frigg, said to be able to move through the air and across water. Also, Hofvarpnir was able to "act as a go-between” earth and sky and the world of mortal men and the underworld. Hamskerpir and Garðrofa are a pair of horses who sired Hófvarpnir.
Hrimfaxi and Skinfaxi were the names of two horses belonging to Dagr "day" and Nott "night." Skinfaxi pulled a chariot across the sky from east to west bringing day and Hrimfaxi pulled his chariot west to east while his bridle (or bit) dripped the morning dew (rime-drops) which every night bedewed the earth.
Sleipnir was the name of Odin's grey, eight-legged steed, the greatest of all horses which could traverse either land or sea and his speed far exceeded that of any other horse. Sleipnir is an Old Norse name meaning "gliding; smooth." He was said to be an exceptionally smooth riding horse, which is where he got his name. He was the offspring of the shape-shifting trickster god Loki who transformed himself into a mare as well as the giant stallion Svadilfari. Sleipnir carrried his rider into the underworld and the Tjängvide image stone is thought to show Odin entering Valhalla riding on Sleipnir.
Sleipnir is also the ancestor of another gray horse, Grani, who is owned by the hero Sigurd. Grani is the horse that Sigurd receives through advice from an old man, Odin.
Svadilfari is an Old Norse name meaning "disaster; ill-fated." This was the name of a magical stallion belonging to the disguised and unnamed hrimthurs who built the walls of Asgard. A hrímthurs is any one of the particular tribe of Giants who are made of ice and inhabit Niflheim, a land of eternal cold. The stallion Svaoilfari performs twice the deeds of strength as the builder, and hauls enormous rocks to the surprise of the gods. Loki needed to devise a scheme to cause the builder to forfeit the payment for the wall to please the gods. While fetching stone with his stallion, Svaoilfari, a mare (Loki transformed) ran from the woods. The mare neighs at Svaoilfari which makes him frantic. The mare runs back to the woods with Svaoilfari chasing after her. The two ran around all night allowing a delay in building the wall and the momentum once held by the hrímthurs and the stallion was never to be again. After time from the dealings Loki had with Svaoilfari, Loki gave birth to a gray foal with eight legs; the horse Sleipnir who was known as the best horse among gods and men.
SLAVIC
Svantovit was the god of war, fertility and abundance. He was the most important Slavic god. Svantovit owned an oracular white horse which was kept in his temple and taken care of by priests. His saddle was of gold and silver. It was believed Svantevit rode this horse at nights against those who denied his divinity; also he used the white stallion for predicting the future.
IRISH
Aonbharr having the meaning of unique supremacy, Aonbarr was the name of the fabulous steed of the sea god, Manannan mac Lir. The horse could gallop on land and water as fast as the spring wind and no rider has met their death while on his back. Lugh, the foster son of Manannan, often had the privillage of riding this fine steed. Aonbharr is also known as Splendid Mane, Enbarr and Enbharr. Manawydan, who was married to the horse goddess Rhiannon, is the Welsh equivilent to the Irish Manannan.
Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend are the two chariot-horses of the hero Cuchulainn in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. A gift from either Macha or her sister the Morrígan, the two horses appear to Cuchulainn from a pool of water. Interested in these beasts, Cuchulainn leaps upon their backs. Both horses gallop all around Ireland trying to dislodge Cuchulainn from their backs, but with Cuchulainn’s success he is able to maintain his seat and tames the horses.
GREEK
The Hippoi Athanatoi were the immortal horses of the gods. The majority of these divine steeds were offspring of the four Wind-Gods who themselves were said to draw the chariot of Zeus in the shape of horses. They were mostly the offspring of the Anemoi (Wind-gods), the Harpyiai (Storm-Daimones) and of Poseidon.
A list of Hippoi Athanatoi:
In Greek mythology, the Anemoi were the gods of the four directional winds. Each disguised as a horse, the wind gods drew the chariot of Zeus.
Boreas was the god of the North-Wind
Euros was the god of the East-Wind
Notos was the god of the South-Wind
Zephyros was the god of the West-Wind
Celestial horses pulled the sun across the sky each day. The sun god, Helios drove the chariot led by 8 fire-breathing horses. These strong white horses were immortal. The Horse Nymphs would tie them to the chariots to pull the sun throughout the day and by night the horses would graze on magical herbs on the Islands of the Blessed.
The eight horse’s and alternative names were:
Actaeon
Aethon also known as Aethiops, Ameethea Purocis, Erytheros, Pyroieis, Sterope
Astrope
Bronte
Eous
Lampon
Phaeton
Phlegon
The Dioskouroi twins, Castor and Pollux (in Latin they are known as the Gemini), were excellent horsemen.
Their four Immortal Horses:
Harpagos
Kyllaros
Phlogeus
Xanthos
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| The Horses of Poseidon by Walter Crane, 1892 |
Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. He was the creator of horses. He created them out of the breaking waves and within the beautiful underwater palace he built for himself, Poseidon included vast stables for keeping his team of prized chariot horses. Their beauty was astounding and no other steeds could compare to these creatures. They were white in color and sported both brazen hooves and flowing manes of gold.
Poseidon was thought to have educated men in the art of taming horses for the bridle. Also, it was believed he was the originator and protector of horse races.
Two immortal horses of the sea-god Poseidon:
Skylla
Sthenios
Hippokampoi - Fish-tailed horses of the sea, four of which some say, drew the chariot of Poseidon.
The immortal steeds of the dawn-goddess Eos:
Lampos
Phaethon
The fire-breathing steeds of Ares:
Aithon
Konabos
Phlogeus
Phobos
Pluto's chariot was pulled by four black steeds said to be made of night.
Their names:
Abastor - This steed was said to out speed the stars.
Abatos – A fast horse, this steed was said to be as fleet as thought.
Aeton or Eton – The name given to the black steed, usually rendered "swift as an eagle."
Nonios – This horse was said to be "quick as light."
Podarkes and Xanthos are the names of a pair of immortal horses owned by Erekhtheus, king of Athens.
Abrax is the name of one of the steeds of the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora. She was charged with opening the sun gates of the East.
Phaeton is another of the four white steeds that drew Aurora’s rosy chariot through the skies.
Rhaebus was the horse of Mezentius in Roman myths.
Balios is the name of one of two immortal horses gifted to the hero Peleus by the gods. It drew the chariot of his son Achilles during the Trojan war.
Xanthos is the other steed that drew the chariot of Achilles. Both were the offspring of the harpy Podarge and the west wind Zephyros.
Pedasus was Achilles' mortal horse killed by Sarpedon at Troy.
The Mares of Laomedon were the pair of horses Zeus gave Tros. Tros was a ruler of Troy. Zeus abducted his son, Ganymedes and Tros grieved immensely for him. Sympathetic to Tros, Zeus gives Tros two horses so swift they could run over water and the heads of standing grain.
The Trojan Hippoi were the twelve immortal horses owned by the Trojan Kings Erikhthonios and Laomedon. They were promised to Hercules as reward for rescuing princess Hesione from a sea-monster.
Phallas was the name of a stallion horse belonging to Heraclios.
Hector was a Trojan prince and the greatest fighter for Troy in the Trojan War.
Ethon, Galathe, Lampus, Podargus and Xanthus were the names of Hector's horses.
Diomedes or Diomed was one of the greatest Achaean strategists in the Trojan War. His steed was Lampos. Later, Diomedes became King of Argos.
Areion is the immortal horse that was owned by Hercules and later given to the hero Adrastos, king of Argos. This fabulous dark-mane horse was born of Demeter and Poseidon. Poseidon pursued Demeter and in order to escape him, the goddess had transformed herself into a mare. Poseidon, aware of Demeter’s plot, deceived her by himself assuming the figure of a horse.
There are several others traditions in the birth of Areion. According to the poet Antimachus, Areion and Caerus were the offspring of Gaea. In other versions, Poseidon or Zephyrus produced the horse by a Harpy. Yet another story connected Areion to the goddess Athena. Poseidon created the horse in his contest with Athena. The ownership of Areion changed several times. From Poseidon the horse passed through the hands of Copreus, Oncus, and Heracles, from whom it was received by Adrastus.
Heracles, the son of Zeus, waged war with the Eleans and acquired this horse from Oncus. He rode upon Areion, an extremely swift immortal horse, when he seized Elis. Later, Heracles gave Areion to Adrastus. Adrastus' life was saved by Areion in the war against Thebes. Antimachus mentions that Adrastus was the third lord who tamed Areion.
Caerus or Cetus was the name of the horse belonging to Adrastus. This steed was swifter than the wind.
Mares of Diomed were four wild, man-eating horses belonging to the giant Diomed, the king of a Thracian tribe called the Bistones; he fed his horses on the strangers who visited his kingdom. As his eighth Labor, Hercules was to take these horses for Eurystheus. Hercules defeated the tyrant and gave the carcass to the horses to eat. They became docile after eating Diomed and Hercules brought them to King Eurystheus who dedicated them to the goddess Hera. There are differing versions of this myth, in one the mares are eaten by wild beasts and in another, Hercules tames the horses from his own chariot.
Dinos was the name of one of the Mares of Diomed.
Lampon is another name of one of the Mares of Diomed.
In Greek mythology, Opheltes was the son of the Nemean king Lycurgus and Queen Eurydice. His nursemaid, Hypsipyle, put Opheltes on the ground, in a bed of wild celery, to show the Seven Argive generals who were marching against Thebes where the nearest wellspring was. While Hypsipyle was distracted with this task, a snake strangled Opheltes.
Following this episode, the generals held a funeral celebration for Opheltes. Sport games were arranged to honor him. According to one myth this was the beginning of the famous Nemean Games.
The names of the horses that took part in these games are:
Aethion was one of the horses of Euneus 1
Aschetos and Cygnus were the horses of Amphiaraus
Caerus was the offspring of Gaia and one of the horses of Adrastus 1
Cydon was one of the horses of Hippodamus
Iris, Pholoe and Thoe were the names of the horses of Admetus 1
Podarces was the horse of Thoas
Strymon was one of the horses of Chromis
During the games in honor of Patroclus, who was Achilles' beloved comrade and brother-in-arms, Menelaus yoked a mare named Podargus.
Aethon was the horse of Pallas who was an ally of Aeneas in Italy.
Parthenia and Eripha were the names of the mares of Marmax. He was the first suitor of Hippodamia and who was slain by Oenomaus. Oenomaus sacrificed Parthenia and Eripha at the tomb of Marmax.
Pegasoi is a breed of winged immortal horses.
The most famous Pegasoi:
Pegasus was a white winged immortal horse was the son of Poseidon and the gorgon Medusa. Pegasus and his brother Chrysaor the giant are said to have been born of Medusa's neck when Perseus beheaded her. Everywhere Pegasus struck hoof to earth an inspiring spring burst forth. He is devoted to Hades (Pluto) and Ares (Mars).
Pegasus was useful in Bellerophon's slaying of the Chimera. Pegasus threw Bellerophon from its back, leaving him crippled for the rest of his life. After throwing Bellerophon, Pegasus flew on to Olympus where he served Zeus by bearing his lightning bolts.
Cabeirian Horses were crafted and brought to life by the Greek god Hephaestus. These metallic horses made of scorching bronze possessed the ability to breathe fire, had burning collars and pulled the chariot of the Kabeiroi, the two sons of Hephaestus. These horses were also known as Hippoi Kabeiroi.
Centaurs were the name of a type of creature part human and part horse. Most were wild, uncontrolled and unwelcoming, having truly animalistic passions. The father of Centaurs was Centaurus, who was held in disgrace by both men and gods. Some accounts say he was fathered by Ixion. He gave birth to the race of Centaurs by mating with Magnesian mares.
Chiron, the surgeon was of two centaurs said to have been good-natured.
Pholus, of the cave or den was the other pleasant centaur.
Other named Centaurs were:
Eurytion
Hylaeus
Nessus
Rhoecus
Silenus was the name of one of the Ipotanes/Sileni; a race of beings having the ears, tail, and legs of a horse. They were followers of the wine god Dionysos and were said to have been ugly drunkards. Silenus was the oldest and wisest of the Ipotanes, possessing the knowledge and power of prophecy.
Selene was the Moon goddess and the daughter of the Titans, Hyperion and Theia; she rode a silver chariot pulled by a pair of horses that drew the chariot of the Moon across the night sky. At the end of each ride, the vision would sink low in the west; the weary horses after such a feat had flaring nostrils, bulging eyes, and a drooping jaw.
The Horses of Hera:
Ariadne
Hypnos
Theseus
RUSSIAN
Barushka Matushka was the magical horse and mount of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets. It had extraordinary strength and stamina. The horse was also known as Kosmatushka, Sivushko or Sivusko.
CHINESE
Tianma or "heavenly horse" is the Chinese equivalent to Pegasus; a winged 'celestial' horse.
Longma was a fabled winged horse with dragon scales in Chinese mythology. Also known as the "dragon horse" in several East Asian countries, Ryōma is commonly used as a Japanese name.
KOREAN
Chollima was the name for a mythical horse in Korea. Roughly translated it means "thousand-mile horse". Often portrayed as a winged horse, several statues of this majestic creature are found in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. It is said that this winged horse is too swift and elegant to be mounted by any mortal man.
TURKIC and MONGOL
Tulpar was a winged horse in Central Asian Mythology. Tulpar is the legendary horse that appears in the culture of Turkish-speaking nations and in the mythologies of the Turkic and Mongol peoples. He was a swift horse with wings. The Tulpar did not actually become airborne, but the wings emphasized the speed they could gallop over the ground. These horses were so valued they shared their lives with their masters.
INDIA
The Man Eater of Lucknow was a horse whose actions terrorized the 19th century Indian city of Lucknow. It is said that the English thoroughbred stallion was presented to the Maharajah of Oudh by King George IV. For unknown reasons, the horse became a notorious killer by slaying and eating the local citizens. After many deaths, the horse was ambushed, captured and held behind bars. The maharaja ruled Oudh from 1827 to 1837 and declared a fight between the savaged horse and his prized tiger, Burrhea. This episode was a one-sided encounter when ultimately the stallion through a powerful blow from his iron-clad hooves shattered Burrhea’s jaw.
Rarer than all other colors of horse, the White horse has a special significance in the mythologies of cultures around the world.
NATIVE AMERICAN
In Blackfoot mythology, the snow deity Aisoyimstan is the White God and “Cold Maker”. He symbolizes Snow and Ice. His powers create the snow and ice that blankets the earth bringing cold weather. Aisoyimstan is practically invisible as he is completely white; a white-colored man with white hair in white clothing and even rides a white horse.
CHILEAN
The Caballo marino chilote is an aquatic creature in Chilean mythology. This creature was invisible and could only be seen by those with magical powers. The creature had a golden mane, four feet in the form of fins and a long tail resembling the tail of a fish. In various accounts, the Caballo marino chilote existed in several sizes, from dwarfs to giants. The Brujo Chilote were a type of sorcerer and warlock and would use this creature as transportation to get to the Caleuche ghost ship.
KOREAN
In the Korean story of the kingdom of Silla, the people gathered to pray for a king. A huge white horse appeared from a bolt of lightning and gave a respectful bow of the head to a shining egg. The horse flew back to heaven and the egg opened exposing the boy Park Hyeokgeose. When he grew up, he united six warring states.
HINDU
Uchaishravas was one of the most precious objects in the sacred Hindu texts called Puranas. Uchaishravas was a snow-white horse with seven heads that emerged while devas and demons were churning the milky ocean. A white horse of the sun is sometimes also mentioned as emerging separately. Indra, lord of the devas had a liking for white horses and would occasionally ride Uchaishravas.
The sun God, Surya, drove through the heavens in his triumphal chariot drawn by seven mares called Harrits. The seven Harrits were depicted as a single horse with seven heads, sometimes in the seven colors of the rainbow representing the seven chakras which are energy producing centers of the body in yoga. The Harrits are also occasionally depicted as seven white horses. These lead horses were the great horses of the sun in Hindu mythology.
The various names of the seven mares:
Arusha and Arushi
Bronte (thunder)
Eos (day break)
Ethiops (flashing)
Ethon (fiery)
Erythreios (red producer)
Philogen (earth loving)
Pyrois (fiery)
Indra is the king of the lesser gods, known as the Devas. As he extended his powers, he became the Lord of Heaven, and the national god of the Aryans. Sort of an Aryan chieftain and warlike God, he would stand on his war-chariot, drawn by five fawn-colored horses, and gave victory to his people in battle. He sometimes was assisted by other gods, but he more frequently fought alone. Indra held the earth in the hollow of his hand and preserved all life by distributing the Devine gifts.
Hayagriva is considered an Avatar of Vishnu, the supreme God, in Hinduism. Worshipped as the God of knowledge and wisdom, Hayagriva has a human body and a horse's head wearing all white garments and seated on a white lotus. The myth represents the feat of pure knowledge, guided by the hand of God, over the demonic forces of passion and darkness.
Kalki, the tenth incarnation of Vishnu and final world savior appears riding a white horse, or some believe he takes the form of a white horse.
Keshi is the horse demon killed by Krishna. Kans, the evil king of Mathura sent for Keshi to kill Krishna. The duel turned violent, Keshi’s terrifying neigh roared like a lion and he charged Krishna with an open mouth and struck him with his hooves. Krishna’s arm grew large and strong and choked Keshi to death.
BUDDHIST
Kanthaka was the favorite horse of Prince Siddhartha, who later became Gautama Buddha. This white horse, probably an Akhal-Teke, was a royal servant to Siddhartha and he used Kanthaka in all major events prior to his renunciation of the world. After the departure of Siddhartha, it was said that Kanthaka died of a broken heart.
ISLAMIC
Pul Sirat means the straight path of God in Islam. It references a very narrow and long path, which the souls of the dead must cross on the judgment day to reach heaven. There are several versions of the tale and in one version; the souls of the worthy are helped to navigate it because their good deeds turn into a white horse they can ride to the end.
Al Borak (Al Boraq, El Borak) was the name of the horse which bore the prophet Mahomet from earth to the seventh heaven and back. The myth describes Al Borak as a celestial creature resembling a fine-limbed, high-standing horse that was the color of saffron and its glossy coat shined like marble. A star adorned his forehead and a thick tail that swept the ground. Al Borak’s strong frame enabled every pace to be equal to the farthest range of human sight. He was as swift as lightening and hence given his name, which means “the lightning”. In some versions of the story, Al Borak is portrayed as a milk-white mare and is simply called Borak (Buraq, Burak).
Fadda was the name of Mahomet’s white mule. Al Abbas rode Fadda in the dead of the night to investigate the enemy camp during the capture of Abu Sofian.
In Islamic tradition, Haizum is the name of the horse God gave to the archangel Gabriel for pleasing Him. It was a white, flaming, spiritual horse, winged like Pegasus and said to be able to fly swiftly from one cosmic plane to another in a second.
IRANIAN
In the ancient Persian religion Zoroastrianism, Tishtrya (also known as Tir), the benevolent divinity associated with life-bringing rainfall and fertility, takes the form of a pure white stallion in a cosmological struggle for control of rain against the drought-bringing demon Apaosha. Apaosha transforms himself into a fierce black stallion and soon gains the upper hand in the struggle because humankind lacked sufficient prayers and sacrifices.
After calling upon the Creator, worthy people of worship, prayed to him. The Creator intervened with a sacrifice and Tishtrya was able to overcome Apaosa with the infused power brought by this offering. Tishtrya provided the rains to the scorched fields and pastures forced by drought. Later, Tishtrya was merged with the Semitic God Nabu-Tiri and was identified as being the Dog Star, Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
White horses are also said to draw divine chariots, such as that of Aredvi Sura Anahita, the name of an Iranian goddess who is the Avesta's divinity of the waters. This cosmological figure is associated with fertility, healing and wisdom. She is the divinity to whom priests and pupils should pray for insight and knowledge. Riding a chariot drawn by white horses and representing various forms of water, her four horses are named "wind", "rain", "clouds" and "sleet".
CHRISTIAN
Saint James, as patron saint of Spain and Saint George, the patron saint of horsemen were Christian saints associated with white steeds. Saint James rides a white horse in his martial aspect and Saint George from Novgorod, among other things also rides a white horse.
Uastyrdzhi is the Ossetian name of Saint George and embodied both the warrior and sun motifs. Allegedly the deity Uastyrdzhi merged with a pagan deity of Scythian religion and became identified with the figure of St. George after the region adopted Christianity. Often associated with white horses, Uastyrdzhi is frequently depicted as a cavalryman with a long beard, riding on a white horse.
A description of the First Crusade in Gesta Francorum depicts soldiers fighting at Antioch claiming to have been uplifted by a vision of St. George and white horses during the battle.
PHILIPPINES
A white stallion serves as the symbol for the city of Pangantucan. The white stallion is memorialized as the one who saved an ancient tribe from massacre by uprooting a bamboo and thus warning them of the enemy's approach.
VIETNAMESE
In the city of Hanoi, a white horse is honored as its patron saint with the White Horse or Bach Ma Temple. This temple is dedicated to the respected spirit of the horse. The 11th century king, Ly Cong Uan (also known as King Ly Thai To) had a vision of a white horse representing a river spirit which showed him where to build his citadel.
FOLK TALES
In many cultures, especially for Christians during medieval times, horses were used in stories to help followers be mindful of sinning by explaining in explicit detail the striking difference between Heaven (good) and Hell (evil). These Horses of Doom were black or sometimes transformed themselves into white horses that would lure the unwary to their doom.
Various Names of the Horses of Doom:
Cheval Mallet (French) – is a horse that would appear at night as a beautiful white or black horse, saddled and bridled, that tempted unwary travelers exhausted by a long journey to mount. Unless these travelers wore the medal of St. Benedict as a protection spell, Cheval Mallet would then carry them away never to return.
Gytrash (England) – is a creature that would haunt lonely roads awaiting travelers and lead people astray. Taking several shapes, it would appear as a horse, mule, or dog. Although usually feared, they could also be kind, guiding lost travelers to the right road.
Buckland Shag – is an evil Water Horse from Devon, England that would gallop to shore and crush villagers to death. It is said that the red stained rocks of this coast is the blood of the Buckland Shag’s victims. Eventually the local priest banished the beast back to the waters with a book, bell and candle consecrated by the power of God.
Kelpie (Irish, with a watery twist) – is a strong, powerful, and breathtaking horse. The horse's appearance is supposed to be black (though in some stories it was white), that will appear to be a lost pony. Several stories differ depending on the region where it is told. Kelpies lure humans, especially children, into the water to drown and eat them.
Brag was a mischievous creature in Ireland. They could transform into a horse or other animals and punish those who were ungrateful. Friendly to animals; they have been known to rescue them from bogs, but a trickster to humans.
Glashtin is an evil or mischievous creature that is a shape-shifter. It assumes human form at times, but gives up his identity when he fails to conceal his ears which are pointed like that of a horse. It would appear out of its aquatic habitat to come in contact with the island folk. Some describe the Glashtin as a water-horse.
In Scottish folklore, the water horse is the each uisge and is far more vicious than the kelpie. This deadly supernatural water demon transforms in to a fine horse or a handsome man. When in the shape of a horse, it offers itself to be ridden and if a rider mounts and stays away from water it will be fine but, if the each uisge sees water it runs off and carries its rider to the bottom of a lake of which it lives and devours its victim.
In Scotland, the Dunnie was a trickster that was known to take the form of a horse or donkey. It is said to be the ghost of a man who stole from a granary, stored vast amounts of treasure in a hidden cave and thus was killed for these actions. He would trick a rider into mounting him and gently ride away for a while, then without warning the Dunnie would disappear leaving the rider in the muddiest part of the road. Some versions have the Dunnie buck off its rider, shake off its reins and then either gallop away or more strangely, if by a river it would dive into the stream laughing. The Dunnie is also said to disguise itself as a plow-horse only to vanish when the farmer takes him into the stall.
DANISH
A helhest is a three-legged horse associated with death and illness. One version suggests in past years, in every churchyard before any human body was buried in it, a living horse was interred. This horse re-appears and is known by the name of 'Hel-horse.
NORSE (Scandinavian)
Backahast was a deceitful water horse that could transform itself into a useful looking boat or log floating upside down in a lake and when someone approached the trickery they were sucked down and eaten by the Backahast.
TIP from the Trail
The mare in nightmare is not a female horse, but a mara, an Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse term for a demon that sat on sleepers' chests, causing them to have bad dreams.
ENGLISH
The White Horse of Uffington, in Berkshire dates back at least to the Bronze Age and is thought to be the oldest hill figure in Britain. The White Horse is a feature on the banks of Uffington Castle. Its graceful lines of white chalk bedrock are an image of a galloping horse. The steep sided valley below the horse is known as the Manger and folklore says that the horse grazes there at night.
The horse is attributed to a number of famous figures, one of these is the figure of a horse goddess connected with the local Belgae tribe. The goddess is generally believed to be one form of Epona, worshiped throughout the Celtic world. Another is King Alfred, who some believe had it created to memorialize his victory over the Danes in 871. Others suggest the horse was engraved by Hengist, the leader of the Anglo Saxon horde in the 5th century AD. Yet others suggest that the shape represents the steed St George rode when he killed the dragon on nearby Dragon Hill.
Dragon Hill is a low flat-topped mound situated in the valley below the White Horse. In folklore, when St George slew the dragon, its blood spilled on the hilltop and left forever a bare white patch where no grass can grow. Some put forward that the shape is a representation of the slain dragon.
The Headless Horseman is a creature created in stories of many societies. The story has similar versions, but with variations in the events or characters. However, the main idea behind the narrative is still conserved.
IRISH
The dullahan or dulachán (meaning "dark man") is a headless man riding a black horse and carrying his head under one arm. Sometimes he can be seen holding it high to see at great distance. Brandishing a whip made from a human corpse's spine, when the dullahan calls out a name and stops riding, a death occurs; at which point the named person immediately perishes.
The Irish have another version with the gan ceann or “headless” driver of a black carriage. If one wears a gold object or cast one in his path, the creature can be frightened away.
SCOTTISH
A man named Ewen was decapitated in a clan battle at Glen Cainnir on the Isle of Mull. This battle denied him any chance to be a chieftain. He is seen riding his headless horse haunting the area.
ENGLISH
The Middle English poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, exploits a decapitation myth.
GERMAN
Two most prominent accounts of a headless horseman are from The German Legends of the Brothers Grimm (Deutsche Sagen).
The first one is of a woman from Dresden, in eastern Germany who gathers acorns at a place called "Lost Waters", one Sunday morning. Behind her she hears the sound of a hunting horn. Hearing it again, she turns and sees a headless man in a long grey coat sitting on a grey horse.
The next tale, set in Brunswick, speaks of a headless horseman called "the wild huntsman". This figure blows a horn which is said to warn hunters not to ride the following day because they will meet with a misfortune.
Still other versions exist of the headless horseman in German folk tale. Some say he seeks out the perpetrators of capital crimes while another has the headless horseman among a pack of black hounds with tongues of fire.
AMERICAN
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by John Quidor (1858) is set circa 1790 in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town (based on Tarrytown, New York), in a secluded glen called Sleepy Hollow.
Ichabod Crane was an extremely superstitious schoolmaster from Connecticut, who competes with Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt, for the hand of Katrina Van Tassel. Crane leaves a party he attended at the Van Tassel home and is pursued by the Headless Horseman. Allegedly, this headless rider was the ghost of a Hessian trooper who had his head shot off by a stray cannonball during "some nameless battle" of the American Revolutionary War. Nightly ee rides to the scene of battle in quest of his head.
After Ichabod’s encounter, he mysteriously disappears from town. Now, Brom Bones is left to marry Katrina. Although the nature of the Headless Horseman is left open to interpretation, the story implies that the Horseman was really Brom in disguise.
PHILIPPINE
Tikbalang has the head and feet of an animal, most commonly a horse and lurks in the mountains and forests. They show themselves to scare travelers and lead them astray. Sometimes they will play a trick where the traveler keeps returning to the same spot no matter how far he travelers or how often he turns.
GREEK
Bucephalus was the horse of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great was seen as a god or the descendent of a god. Therefore, Alexander’s horse was seen as a mythical creature. His sire was a famous powerful and strong horse. Bucephalus grew up to be an incredibly wild and formidable horse that no one could tame. While Alexander was a young boy, his father, King Philip held a competition to see who could overcome the untamable horse. No one was able to tame Bucephalus including King Philip himself! Amazingly, Alexander was able to approach Bucephalus and mount him. The hose remained calm and Alexander had great control over the horse. Alexander came to tame the horse forming a life-long bond.
Another version suggests that Bucephalus lived confined to prison since it was so wild. Alexander the Great noticed the horse and asked his father if he could try and tame the beast. After approval by King Philip, Alexander claimed the beast and converted Bucephalus to a loyal steed.
The name Bucephalus means ‘ox-head’ which implies to some that it had at least one horn on its head. In some medieval scripts, Alexander the Great is seen as riding a horse with one or two horns… Unicorn? More on Bucephalus...See Horses of Military and War
Hippalektryon was a hybrid creature of Ancient Greek folklore that has the foreparts of a horse and the rear parts of a rooster, with yellow feathers.
RUSSIAN
Polkan is is a half-human, half-horse which possesses enormous power and speed. In the first story, Polkan appears as an enemy of the hero Bova Korolevich, but after a battle with him Polkan becomes his loyal friend and ally.
CHINESE
The Good Luck Horse is a story in Chinese culture about a little cloth horse that had been turned into a real horse. When Wa Tung had made it, he had forgotten to cut out eyes for the horse causing destruction in the garden. This made Wa Tung's father very angry and he called the horse “bad luck”. But, when the wizard had the horse walk backward through the garden, the spell reversed all the damage. Now Wa Tung’s father called him "good luck horse". From then on, he was known as “Good luck - Bad luck horse”.
Still, this horse continued to break things and so Wa Tung's father sent him away. In his new environment, Good luck - Bad luck horse met a mare named No good mare whom he later married. Missing Wa Tung, Good luck – Bad luck horse and No good mare traveled together to see him.
Now going to war, Wa Tung chose to ride Good luck – Bad luck horse into battle. As luck would have it, Good-luck Bad-luck horse calculated a plan and convinced all the other horses not to carry their masters into battle. The men made peace and Good luck - Bad luck horse from then on was called only "Luck" and his wife, No good mare, was called "Luck's wife."
INDIAN
Dyaus Pitr, the Sky Father, has been represented during the day-time as a red bull who bellows thunder or as the night heavens in form of a black horse adorned with pearls, symbolizing the stars.
Sub-Genres of FOLK TALE
FAIRYTALE
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| Art by Laurie Pace |
In the fairy tale "Virgilius the Sorcerer" by Andrew Lang, Virgil’s magic takes many forms. Among his creations, he invents and animates a horse, rider and dogs out of copper to assert his will. This horse displays more attributes than the usual magical powers to the ancient Roman poet Virgil. In the tale’s Roman battle, Virgilius formed his copper horse and rider who ordered all men indoors. Only the honest obeyed, and the horse trampled those it found outside. The following day, the surviving thieves tried to stop this powerful machine by using ropes and to seize it, and others used rope ladders to escape it. Virilius created two copper dogs to jump up and bite the thieves to death.
The Fox and the Horse
All his life the powerful white horse ploughed the fields and worked hard for his master. The day came when the horse grew old and could no longer perform work for his master. His master would no longer feed the horse since he was no use to him, but his master still meant well by the horse and allowed him to prove himself still strong. He offered to maintain the horse if it could bring him a lion. “Go to the woods and leave my stable” his master said to horse.
With his head hung low in sorrow, the horse met a fox. The fox asked the horse why he was so unhappy and the horse told him his plight. The fox offered a plan to help the horse and instructed the horse to lie on ground as if he were dead. Running to the lion’s den, not far from the horse, the fox told the lion of an immense meal waiting in the woods. The fox told the lion that he should eat the horse in the privacy of his den and convinced the lion that he could tie the horse to the lion and drag him home. The fox tied the lion's legs together with the horse's tail, and twisted and fastened it all so well and so strongly that no strength could break it.
When he had finished fastening the lion to the horse, the fox tapped the horse on the shoulder and said, pull, horse, pull. The horse stood up and drew the lion away with him to his master’s door. When the master saw the lion, he was of a better mind, and said to the horse, you shall stay with me and fare well, and he gave him plenty to eat until he died.
The Little Horse Gornok
Ivan was the youngest of three brothers living with their father on a Russian wheat farm. The farm was their only source of income and havoc would happen in the fields at night. An unknown creature would tromp around destroying the crops and Ivan was the only brother who succeeded in finding the culprit.
Ivan discovered a mysterious and magical horse rustling in the wheat. The horse had pearl hooves and a golden mane. For her freedom, the mare offered Ivan three horses; two of them beautiful and the third a deformed, humble horse he names Gornok. Soon, Ivan and Gornok became very close friends. Ivan’s brothers try and steal the two prized foals and in order to stop this crime, Ivan and Gornok take a journey to find them. They end up at the feet of the almighty Tsar, who offers Ivan a job in the royal stables. What seemed like the perfect opportunity soon turns into a taxing venture when the Tsar begins sending Ivan on almost impossible quests for mysterious creatures. Ivan is threatened that if he returns empty handed, the Tsar will have him beheaded.
Traveling all of Russia, through forests and over oceans, on the wise and trusty steed’s back they always returned triumphant. Over time Ivan fell in love with the beautiful fiancée of the Tsar. To stall the wedding and to find a way to ruin the Tsar before it was too late was the most difficult challenge they both faced. If they were not successful, Ivan’s true love would be lost to the Tsar forever.
FABLE
The Golden Horse
A beautiful wild horse colored in gold would run fast and free across the green hills. A dark man with a gloomy expression envied the golden horse’s beauty and riches. Putting his devious plan in place, one night he set a trap for the golden horse. This trap was deceitful to the horse; made of flowers and the sweetest grass. The golden horse went to the offering and the dark man entrapped it and ensnared it with ropes and with chains. The golden beauty reared and kicked but all the time, the dark man just laughed for he had tied his end of the ropes and chains to a tree that was stronger than the golden horse could ever be. As time passed, the horse could no longer stand, and it sank to its knees. Its beautiful golden face touched the ground and at that moment there raised a ghostly form, from the horse. A white form of pure light, of pure radiant light and beauty, and it was a unicorn being born and released and rising fully from the fallen horse. The dark man came and took the wounded horse to a dingy stable. Many years later, a “magic being” noticed a saddened unicorn. Asking who and why it was here, the distressed unicorn replies, “I do not know”. Helping the unicorn, the “magic being” relocates them to another place. The unicorn appears as a soft ghost to saddened twins who just lost their parents. Together the children and the unicorn discover the golden horse and win its freedom.
The Horse and the Ass
A horse and an ass were travelling together, the Horse prancing along in its fine trimmings while the ass was carrying with difficulty the heavy weight in its panniers. "I wish I were you," sighed the Ass; "nothing to do and well fed, and all that fine harness upon you."
The next day, however, there was a great battle, and the horse was wounded to death in the final charge of the day. His friend, the ass, happened to pass by shortly afterwards and found him on the point of death. "I was wrong," said the ass.
Moral of Aesops Fable:
Better humble security than gilded danger
The horse had the plain entirely to himself. One day a stag intruded into his domain and shared his pasture. Desiring to revenge himself on the stranger, the horse asked a man if he were willing to help him in punishing the stag. The man replied that if the horse would receive a bit in his mouth, and agree to carry him, he would contrive very effectual weapons against the stag. The horse agreed, and allowed the man to mount him. From that moment the horse found that, instead of obtaining revenge on the stag, he had enslaved himself to the service of man.
Moral of Aesops Fable:
He who seeks to injure others often injures only himself.
The horse which is my mind flies like the wind.
He gallops on the plains of great bliss.
Author Unknown
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