In folklore and mythology, witches are often depicted as riding on broomsticks or flying through the air on their own. However, there have been occasional references to witches riding horses instead. These depictions typically arise from cultural variations and regional beliefs. The image of a witch riding a horse is rooted in historical contexts where horses were seen as symbols of power, freedom, and speed. In some cultures, witches were believed to have the ability to shape-shift into animals or objects, and riding a horse was seen as a manifestation of their magical powers. The horse, in this case, served as a means of transportation, allowing the witches to travel quickly and stealthily.
The horse, in this case, served as a means of transportation, allowing the witches to travel quickly and stealthily. Furthermore, the association between witches and horses can be traced back to pagan traditions and mythologies. In ancient Greek mythology, for example, the goddess Hecate, who was often associated with witchcraft, was pictured riding on a horse.
Witches Are Obsessed With Horses
In 1726, an elderly woman known to history as Janet Horne was paraded through the Scottish town of Dornoch, covered in tar, and burned for being a witch. Janet Horne was a generic placeholder name in Scotland for witches during the period, and this Janet Horne holds the distinction of being the last person executed for witchcraft in the British Isles. One of the curious things about the case was the nature of the accusations against Horne involved her daughter, who had deformed hands and feet. The townspeople accused Horne of having turned her daughter into a pony and ridden her to the Devil to have her shod. Though the daughter escaped the mob, Horne (who by most accounts was elderly and showing signs of senility) was caught and killed.
Verbrennung auf dem Scheiterhaufen. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
While casting about for an appropriately Halloween-themed blog post, I found a bevy of information about the connections between witches and horses. Accusations that purveyors of the dark arts were connected to horses abound — even into the 21st Century. A story reported in Blockula, Sweden in 1699 asserted that an army of witches had been accosting men in their sleep, putting an enchanted halter over their heads to turn them into horses. And in another case from Scotland, a woman named Margaret Grant claimed to have been turned into a pony by “evil-disposed persons” and forced to ride great distances.
Two witches smoking their pipes by the fire with a toad at their feet. From The History of Witches and Wizards (1720), Wellcome Library. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
In addition to these stories is a recurring, mixed account of the ghostly Nightmare, also called the Night Hag. As far back as the Renaissance, horse owners have reported visits of the Nightmare to their horses. Signs in the morning include the horse covered in sweat, exhausted, and a tangled mane, sometimes described as plaited by supernatural means. The phenomenon has been attributed to witches and pixies (who, being obsessed with mortal horses, steal them to ride at night), and in recent years, to Bigfoot or occult-obsessed horse thieves. So pervasive was the concern over the nightmare that Thomas Blundeville, in his 1564 book The Fower Chiefest Offices Belonging to Horsemanship, included an incantation (and directions for hanging naturally-perforated stones in the stable) to ward against the Nightmare. The incantation was touted by Blundeville as a practical way for horse owners to avoid having to pay a “false Fryer” to produce the warding spell.
The primary sign of the Nightmare is the fairy plaits in the mane. Although skeptics claim that a horse’s mane can easily become tangled on its own under correct atmospheric conditions, elaborate tales of unauthorized braiding have been reported.
“It was very generally accepted as an indisputable fact at that time that not only witches, but also certain malignant sprites who lived in the woodland gardens, occasionally assumed the forms of women clad in white raiment, who in this guise would haunt the stables when night fell. They carried with them tapers of lighted wax, and they used the drippings from these to tangle the horses’ manes into inextricable knots, to the great annoyance both of the steeds and of their grooms.”
—The Horse in Magic and Myth, M. Oldfield Howley, National Sporting Library & Museum
The tying of knots as a spell is an ancient theory of witchcraft. It’s not a huge leap from fairy plaits to the Witch’s Ladder, a layered cord of knots, each with a separate intention of spell. Theories of various malevolent hexes were floated in the late 19th Century, a common one being that the Witch’s Ladder contained a death spell that could only be undone by finding and untying the cord.
Witch’s Ladder, from The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 (1888). University of Toronto. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
How do we interpret these reports of Nightmare and tangled manes? It could be that in an era where many more people were adept at handling horses, the propensity to “borrow” a turned-out horse for a nighttime ride was a more common practice. A sweaty, exhausted horse from such an exercise might have a tangled mane where an unauthorized rider held on to the steed. Or maybe there’s more to it: pixies, witches, or Bigfoot.
John Connolly has served as the George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Head Librarian at the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) since early 2014. He is responsible for the care of the Library collections, including books, magazines, photographs, diaries, letters, and much more. The NSLM collections span over 350 years of the history of equestrian sport, as well as fly fishing, wing shooting, and other field sports. Have a question? Contact John by e-mail
The tying of knots as a spell is an ancient theory of witchcraft. It’s not a huge leap from fairy plaits to the Witch’s Ladder, a layered cord of knots, each with a separate intention of spell. Theories of various malevolent hexes were floated in the late 19th Century, a common one being that the Witch’s Ladder contained a death spell that could only be undone by finding and untying the cord.
This connection was later adopted and adapted by various cultures, leading to the depiction of witches riding horses in folklore. It is important to note that the image of a witch riding a horse is not as prevalent as the image of a witch on a broomstick. The latter has become the more iconic and popular portrayal over time. This is likely due to the association of broomsticks with the act of flying and the sense of otherworldliness it conveys. Nevertheless, the concept of a witch riding a horse adds another layer to the diverse representations of witches in mythology and folklore. It highlights the notion of witches as powerful beings who can harness and manipulate natural elements to their advantage. The image of a witch riding a horse also evokes a sense of mystery, as it suggests a close connection between witches and the animal kingdom. In conclusion, while the image of a witch riding a horse is not as commonly depicted as a witch on a broomstick, it has its roots in historical and mythological contexts. This portrayal showcases the association between witches and horses, emphasizing their magical powers and ability to traverse great distances. The image of a witch on a horse adds depth and diversity to the representation of witches in folklore and mythology..
Reviews for "The Witch's Horse as a Traveller between Worlds"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "Witch riding a horse" as I love fantasy movies, but I was greatly disappointed. The plot was confusing and poorly developed. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. The special effects were also quite cheap and I found myself rolling my eyes at certain scenes. Overall, it felt like a low-budget production and I regretted spending my time and money on it.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Witch riding a horse" was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. The acting was incredibly bad, especially by the lead actress who played the witch. Her portrayal was over the top and cringe-worthy. The dialogue was laughably bad, and I found myself groaning at the forced attempts at humor. The entire movie felt disjointed and lacked any coherent storyline. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch riding a horse" based on the trailers, but it didn't live up to expectations. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself getting bored halfway through. The film tried to be atmospheric, but it failed to deliver any genuine scares or thrills. The cinematography was decent, but it couldn't make up for the lackluster story and uninteresting characters. I wouldn't recommend this movie unless you're a die-hard fan of the genre.