Fossil records show that horses have been around at least since the last ice age. Horses are beautiful animals and seem to have a spiritual presence. They are sensitive beings, who have an immense capability to pick up on human emotions. Perhaps this is why horses throughout the ages have been a focal point of many myths and legends.

The Magical Unicorn.

One of the most well known mythical horses is the Unicorn, which has long captured the heart of the young and the old. Different cultures have different names and legends that pertain to the unicorn. The story of the origin of the Chinese written language involves a unicorn by the name of Ki Lin who showed it to Emperor Fu His over five thousand years ago. The story goes that the unicorn was covered in symbols and the emperor traced them in the dirt on the ground. It is said that this was the origin of written Chinese.

The unicorn is called the Karkadann in Arabia. This particular version of the unicorn is of a fierce and war-like creature which can manifest itself in different appearances. The first written accounts of a unicorn were in India in 416 BC. They were described as being white in colour, with dark blue eyes, a dark red head and a horn on their forehead that was about a foot and a half long.

According to folk legend, the European unicorn is similar to a horse, yet smaller, only weighing around one hundred pounds and standing about three feet high. In Northern Europe the unicorn is described as being white or creamy in colour. In Southern Europe they are described as being nearly black to a golden colour. Magical healing powers are attributed to the horn of a unicorn.

The unicorn as it is depicted today is similar to the European description, but larger and more closely resebling a horse. It is said to look exactly like a horse with a horn in the middle of its head. It is usually depicted as being pure white, however it has even been described as being colours like pink, purple and blue.

The mythical American version of the unicorn is still very popular today with people all ages, but especially with children. Unicorns can be seen in many toys, movies and written about in books. We all know that the existence of the unicorn is but a fairy-tale, but that fairy-tale continues to delight generation after generation.

The Magical Flying Horse.

Another horse type creature that has been written about in mythology and other stories is Pegasus. Pegasus – offspring of Posiedon and Medusa in Greek mythology – was a magnificent white winged horse that was ridden by Bellerophon and had mystic powers. Zeus gave Pegasus the honoured task of carrying his thunderbolts. Euippe became Pegasus’s mate and they had two offspring named Melanippe and Celeris. The legend goes that on the last day of Pegasus’s life Zeus changed him into a constellation that can still be seen today.

A Good Luck Symbol.

In many countries and to many people the horseshoe is a symbol of good luck. The history of how this famous superstition came about is not clear. One theory goes that it is because of the symbolism of the shape which is lucky as this is supposed to be protective. Some contend that the luck originates from the horse itself, and the shoe is lucky by mere association. It was once believed that iron was magical metal and that blacksmiths were magicians with supernatural powers. For this reason you could hang an iron horseshoe above your do to keep witches and demons away.

The seven nail holes in each shoe are also a signifier of good luck. In some cultures the number seven is considered a lucky number. An ancient belief states that if a horse’s shoes were made from the iron of a sword which had killed someone, then that horse would forever be as swift as lightening and never grow fatigued.

Throughout the ages there have been many old wives’ tales and superstitions about horses and donkeys. Below are listed some bizarre and peculiar beliefs surrounding horses throughout various points in history.

•  If a horse stepped in the paw print of a wolf it would become crippled.
•  If you change a horse’s name it will bring you bad luck.
•  Inhaling a horse’s breath was said to be a cure for whooping cough.
•  Both toothache and snakebites can apparently be cured by riding backwards on a donkey.
•  To change the bad luck associated with breaking a mirror you would lead a horse through your house.
•  To prevent a witch from casting a spell on your horse you would carry a rowan wood whip.
•  Circling a wart with horse hair would cure it.
•  To protect yourself from witches you take the tail hair from a black stallion and wear it on your wrist.
•  If you put pennies in your water tank this can prevent a mare becoming irritable or grumpy.
•  To improve the tone of a piano a horse’s skull was put underneath the floor where the piano was.

Horses are amazing animals and do seem to have an elusive air of mystical presence. Certainly they inspire awe in most who are fortunate to come into contact with them. Their important place in the history and development of so many cultures and civilisations is down at least in part to this amazing ability to awe and inspire. As such an integral part of our folklore and legend, horses have and always will be part of the stories we tell our children.

This article has been published for the millions of horse enthusiasts all over the world by Animal Friends Equine Insurance – the UK’s only not-for-profit horse insurance provider. You can buy horse rider insurance today online or by phone, and all net profits go towards helping animals in crisis around the globe.