Throughout history and across cultures, horses have played a large role in mythology and folklore. These majestic creatures functioned both as working animals and trusted companions for both people and deities. In this post, I want to discuss six different horses from mythology and folklore. From the eight-legged horse of Odin to the water horse of Scotland, keep reading to learn more about magical horses from around the world!
Also known as Énbarr, this magical horse belongs to the Irish God Manannán mac Lir. Aonbharr Mhanannáin is said to be fast on land and sea, traversing all terrain with ease. In Irish Paganism, Morgan Daimler writes that the name Énbarr may mean ‘water foam’, and that Énbarr could “run over sea as if it were solid land.”
Though Aonbharr belongs to Manannán mac Lir, he was often loaned out to Lugh during times of need. One story in particular mentions this loan: Oidheadh Chlainne Tuireann (The Fate of the Children of Turenn). To summarize this story, Lugh sends several brothers on an impossible quest to retrieve several items. The quest is meant to be impossible, and it is theorized that Lugh meant for the tasks to kill the brothers. In this story, the brothers ask Lugh if they could borrow Énbarr, but Lugh declines, stating that he will not loan out a loan.
So the Sons of Turenn went to where Lugh was, and they saluted him, and they said they could not bring him the fine without his own help, and for that reason it would be well for them to get a loan of the Aonbharr. “I have that horse only on loan myself,” said Lugh, “and I will not give a loan of a loan.”
‘If that is so, give us the loan of Manannan’s curragh," said Brian. “I will give that,” said Lugh. “What place is it?” said they. “At Brugh na Boinn,” said Lugh.
The Fate of the Children of Turenn - Mary Jones’ Celtic Literature Collective
Though information about Énbarr is scarce, the spirit of this magical horse lives on in the Atlantic Ocean. Next time you see the foam of the sea, look a little closer - you may see the magical horse of Manannán mac Lir.
Resources
- Enbarr - Wikipedia
- Manannán mac Lir - Wikipedia
- The Fate of the Children of Turenn - Mary Jones’ Celtic Literature Collective
- Irish Paganism by Morgan Daimler (pg. 23-24)
One of my favorite mythical creatures is the Kelpie, a mythical shape-shifting spirit that lives in the lochs in Scottish folklore. Stories vary about the origins and appearance of a kelpie, but they all have common characteristics. The Kelpie is, first and foremost, a shape-shifting creature. They have the ability to shift into any form, but most stories see them shifting into men to entice young women to the shore. There are a few stories that are switched, showing the Kelpie shifting into a woman to lure men into the water.
It is also said that in horse form, the Kelpie could extend its back to fit as many riders as possible. Once they were mounted, the riders would be unable to dismount, becoming trapped on the back of the Kelpie. It would then dive into the water, drowning and devouring its riders, only to spit out their remains on the shore of the loch.
Some modern interpretations of the Kelpie have given it a more justice-like behavior. In these retellings, the Kelpie draws people toward it who mean harm to others, drowning them in the loch to spare the would-be victims’ lives. In particular, I am thinking of the song The Kelpie by Kiki Rockwell.
Traveller upon the moor
Weary limbed, been here before
Slow with drink, filthy mouth
Finding girls, heading south
Pilgrimage, oh, hungry man
Godless stumble, heavy hand
Tavern hero, man of men
Through the fog, he’ll strike again[Chorus]
Someone’s gotta take care of him
Something’s gonna take care of him
Oh, he had it comin’, oh, he had it comin’
A ride on a kelpie’s back should teach him something
The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore gives yet another characteristic of Kelpies. In this book, it states that Kelpies were thought to be the cause of large storms at sea. On a more mischevious note, they would also "stir the waters’ of a river or pond “only when they wished to cause trouble”.
Next time you’re standing next to a body of water, watch out for the Kelpie!
Resources
- The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore by Pamela Monaghan (pg. 269)
- Kelpie - Wikipedia
In Irish mythology, two horses are well-known for their connection to the Irish Hero Cúchulainn. These two horses are named Liath Macha (grey [horse] of Macha) and Dub Sainglend (black [horse] of Saingliu). These horses are responsible for pulling Cúchulainn’s chariot into battle, and they were a gift from a Goddess – either Macha or The Morrígan, but exactly who gifted them is unclear. Though the horses were a gift, they were not tame. Cúchulainn leapt on their backs and they proceeded to run around Ireland for an entire day, trying and failing to throw him off. Only then when he proved his might were they tamed.
Then came the Gray of Macha to Cu Chulainn to protect him so long as his soul was in him and the “hero’s light” out of his forehead remained. And the Gray of Macha wrought three red route all around him. And fifty fell by his teeth and thirty by each of his hoofs. This is what he slew of the host. And hence is the saying, “Not keener were the victorious courses of the Gray of Macha after Cu Chulainn’s slaughter.”
– The Death of Cu Chulainn - Mary Jones’ Celtic Literature Collective
In the story The Death of Cu Chulainn, we can see the strength and might these horses have. Their loyalty to their master, Cu Chulainn, is also very clear! On the day of his death, Liath Macha refuses to allow Cu Chulainn’s charioteer to harness him. He only relents from Cu Chulainn himself, but he cries tears of blood. He is hit by a spear during battle and returns to the pool of Linn Liaith where Cu Chulainn originally found him. Dub Sainglend continues to pull the chariot after Linn Liaith was wounded, but does not stop when Cu Chulainn is knocked from the chariot.
After Cu Chulainn’s death, both horses return to the pool where they were originally found.
Resources
- Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend - Wikipedia
- The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore by Pamela Monaghan (pg. 288)
- The Death of Cu Chulainn - Mary Jones’ Celtic Literature Collective
In Norse mythology, Sleipnir is Odin’s extraordinary eight-legged horse. He is mentioned in both the Poetic and Prose Eddas, and he is known as the finest of all horses! Interestingly, Sleipnir is the child of Loki and Svaðilfari, an unnamed jötunn who built the walls of Asgard. The story of Sleipnir’s birth is very unusual: remember, he was born from the God Loki and a stallion!
"That same evening, when the wright drove out after stone with the stallion Svadilfari, a mare bounded forth from a certain wood and whinnied to him. The stallion, perceiving what manner of horse this was, straightway became frantic, and snapped the traces asunder, and leaped over to the mare, and she away to the wood, and the wright after, striving to seize the stallion. These horses ran all night, and the wright stopped there that night; and afterward, at day, the work was not done as it had been before. When the wright saw that the work could not be brought to an end, he fell into giant’s fury.
You see, Loki made a deal with the Gods that the giant building the wall was a good idea. The Gods offered the giant Freya, the sun, and the moon if it were completed in time. However, they never expected that to actually happen! When it came close, the Gods were angry with Loki and threatened violence if he couldn’t figure out a way to slow the Giant’s progress down. So, in pure Loki fashion, he turned into a mare to temp away the giant’s stallion, running will into the night and hindering the giant’s progress.
Because of the night with the stallion, Loki gave birth to Odin’s trusted steed, Sleipnir. Now, Odin travels the Nine Realms on his eight-legged horse born of his blood-brother, Loki.
Resources
Turning our attention to Greek mythology, we have the Hippocampus. The ancient Greeks believed the Hippocampus was the adult form of what we know to be the seahorse. They are thought to have the head and forefront parts of a horse, and the scaled serpentine tail of a fish. The Nereid nymphs and sea-gods are believed to have Hippokampoi as mounts, and Poseidon’s chariot is said to be drawn by two or four of the creatures.
Statius, Achilleid 1. 25 ff :
“He [Poseidon] towers on high above the peaceful waves, urging his team [of Hippokampoi (Hippocamps)] with his three-pronged spear: frontwise they run at furious speed amid showers of foam, behind they swim and blot out their footprints with their tails.”– HIPPOCAMPS (Hippokampoi) - Fish-Tailed Horses of Greek Mythology
While these mythical creatures are not attributed to a single deity, it is apparent in myth that Poseidon is well-known for his chariot drawn by the Hippokampoi. Anywhere he went, from riding the waves to deep at sea, he could likely be found with his team of Hippokampoi leading the way.
Resources
Lastly, we come to a creature from Greek mythology that most people are already aware of - the Pegasus. If you’ve watched the Disney movie Hercules, you’ll already recognize the name as the creature given to Hercules before he lost his godhood. But did you know that the connection between Hercules and Pegasus is actually false? I didn’t until I did some more research!
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 42 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
“When he [Perseus] saw Medousa (Medusa), he beheaded her. As soon as her head was severed there leaped from her body the winged horse Pegasos and Khrysaor (Chrysaor), the father of Geryon. The father of these two was Poseidon.”
Pegasus is an immortal winged horse that was born of Medusa’s beheaded body. It sprang forth and took off, but was then tamed by Bellerophon. Then Bellerophon rode Pegasus into battle against the Khimaira. Bellerophon got a bit to confident and proud, attempting to ride Pegasus all the way to Olympus. Zeus was angry and caused Pegasus to buck, sending Bellerophon back down to Earth. Eventually, Pegasus became the thunderbolt-bearer of Zeus when Pegasus flew back up to Olympus.
Pegasus was commemorated in the stars with a constellation. The arrival of Pegasus in the night sky brings with him the thunderstorms of Zeus.
Resources
that’s amazing, Amethyst! I love it! 
It’s an adjustment, but I think I’m starting to manage a bit better. Thank you for the little joke because it made my day!