Horses in Folklore: Black Bess, Hag Riding, and Spectral Steeds

Humans first domesticated horses in around 3500 BC. Since then, they’ve pulled our chariots and carts, carried royalty and soldiers, worked on farms, and been steadfast companions.
Horses are actually a prey animal, which perhaps explains their vulnerability to supernatural attack by witches and fairies.
Yet as the stories in this episode will show, they’re also famous for their speed, ability to help humans, and even fantastical leaps and bounds.
But let’s look at these horses, from spectres to Black Bess, in this week’s episode of Fabulous Folklore!
Find the images and references on the blog post: www.icysedgwic...
Get your free guide to home protection the folklore way here: www.icysedgwic...
Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family for bonus episodes and articles at patreon.com/be...
Fabulous Folklore Bookshop: uk.bookshop.or...
Enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation? Buy Icy a coffee to say 'thanks' at: ko-fi.com/icys...
Pre-recorded illustrated talks: ko-fi.com/icys...
Request an episode: forms.gle/gqG7...
Get extra snippets of folklore on Instagram at / icysedgwick
'Like' Fabulous Folklore on Facebook: / fabulousfolklore
Find Icy on BlueSky: bsky.app/profi...
Tweet Icy at x.com/IcySedgwick

[@TheEbrithil2]

The idea of kicking the skeleton of your prophesied killer, wounding yourself on it and then dying also appears in a bunch of dragon stories

[@FabulousFolklore]

You'd think people would just, you know, not kick skulls, wouldn't you?

[@TheEbrithil2]

@FabulousFolklore people in Folklore have done much more stupid things...