The story of the Witch on Horsbeck revolves around a small village located near a dense forest. The villagers had always spoken of a strange phenomenon that occurred on the night of every full moon. They would hear mysterious sounds coming from the forest and occasionally catch glimpses of a shadowy figure riding a black horse. Legend had it that this figure was a witch who resided deep within the forest on a hill known as Horsbeck. The villagers believed that she possessed supernatural powers and was capable of casting spells and curses. Some even claimed to have seen her flying through the air on her broomstick.
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.
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. 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.
Some even claimed to have seen her flying through the air on her broomstick. The witch was said to be a solitary character, rarely interacting with the villagers except on rare occasions. It was rumored that she kept to herself, practicing her dark arts and only leaving her home to gather herbs and supplies from the nearby town.
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
Verbrennung auf dem Scheiterhaufen. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
As time went on, fear and curiosity grew among the villagers. Some believed that the witch brought misfortune to the village, while others thought that she could offer protection and guidance. A few brave souls attempted to approach Horsbeck to learn more about the witch, but none returned with definitive answers. One night, during a particularly powerful storm, a young girl named Emily found herself lost in the forest. She stumbled upon the witch's hill and cautiously approached the small hut that stood atop it. As she reached the door, it swung open, revealing the witch herself. Contrary to the villagers' expectations, the witch was a kind and gentle soul. She took Emily in, offering her warmth, food, and shelter until the storm passed. Over time, the witch taught Emily about the beauty and power of nature and how to harness her own gifts. When Emily returned to the village, she shared her experience with the villagers, dispelling their fears and misconceptions about the witch. From that day forward, the village embraced the witch and sought her guidance in times of need. Together, they flourished, living in harmony with nature and appreciating the magic that surrounded them. The story of the Witch on Horsbeck teaches us not to judge others based on appearances or hearsay. It reminds us that there is often more to a person than meets the eye and that true understanding can only come from listening and empathizing. The witch on Horsbeck became a symbol of unity and acceptance within the village, proving that sometimes, our greatest allies can be found in the most unexpected places..
Reviews for "The Witch's Spells and Hexes in Horsbeck"
1. John - ⭐⭐ - I was really disappointed with "Witch on Horsbeck". The story seemed promising at first, but the plot quickly became convoluted and confusing. The characters lacked depth and were often one-dimensional. The pacing was also quite slow, making it hard for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and unenjoyable read.
2. Emily - ⭐ - I found "Witch on Horsbeck" to be extremely predictable and cliché. The plot was filled with common tropes and lacked originality. The writing style was also very amateurish, with awkward and repetitive phrases throughout. I struggled to connect with any of the characters, as they felt like cardboard cutouts rather than real people. I cannot recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh and engaging fantasy read.
3. Sarah - ⭐⭐⭐ - While "Witch on Horsbeck" had an interesting premise, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many unanswered questions about the magical elements. Additionally, I found the dialogue to be awkward and unrealistic. Overall, I felt disconnected from the story and had difficulty becoming invested in the characters or their journey.
4. David - ⭐⭐ - "Witch on Horsbeck" was a disappointing read for me. The writing style felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed and lacked depth. The characters were forgettable and had little development, making it hard for me to care about their fates. I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
5. Angela - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - While "Witch on Horsbeck" was not my cup of tea, I can see how others might enjoy it. The writing was decent, and the author had some creative ideas. However, personally, I found the plot to be too predictable and generic. The characters lacked complexity, and I struggled to emotionally connect with them. While it wasn't a book I particularly enjoyed, I can understand why some readers might find it entertaining.