| Horses have been around almost since the | | | | constellation, so the mythology states. |
| beginning of time. Horses are beautiful animals and | | | | A Good Luck Symbol. |
| seem to have a spiritual presence. They are | | | | In many countries and to many people the |
| extraordinarily sensitive creatures which have this | | | | horseshoe is a symbol of good luck. The history |
| almost mystical ability to pick up on human | | | | of how this famous superstition came about is |
| emotions and moods. Perhaps this is why horses | | | | not clear. One theory goes that it is because of |
| throughout the ages have been a focal point of | | | | the symbolism of the shape which is lucky as this |
| many myths and legends. | | | | is supposed to be protective. Others believe that |
| The Magical Unicorn. | | | | the luck emanates from the animal itself. |
| One of the most well known mythical horses is | | | | Blacksmiths were once believed to have |
| the Unicorn, which has long captured the heart of | | | | supernatural powers; magicians to be able to |
| the young and the old. There are different names | | | | work with iron, whch was said to have magical |
| and legends ascribed to the unicorn across many | | | | powers of its own.Witches and demons could thus |
| different cultures. In China over 5,000 years ago | | | | be kept at bay by the hanging of an iron |
| a unicorn named Ki Lin was responsible for | | | | horseshoe above the doorway. |
| showing the emperor Fu His the Chinese written | | | | The seven nail holes in each shoe are also a |
| language. The Emperor saw that the unicorn was | | | | signifier of good luck. There are some cultures in |
| covered in symbols, and traced these into the dirt | | | | which the number seven is considered lucky. An |
| on the ground before hm. This was the beginning | | | | ancient belief states that if a horse's shoes were |
| of the Chinese written language. | | | | made from the iron of a sword which had killed |
| The Karkadaan is the name by which the unicorn | | | | someone, then that horse would forever be as |
| is referred to in Arabia. It is a ferocious war like | | | | swift as lightening and never grow fatigued. |
| creature that can appear in different forms. It is | | | | Many superstitions and old wives' tales have |
| from India as far back as 416 BC that we get | | | | surrounded horses and donkeys throughout the |
| the first written accounts of a unicorn. They were | | | | ages. Here are some of the more interesting |
| described as being white in colour, with dark blue | | | | ones that have been passed down the |
| eyes, a dark red head and a horn on their | | | | generations. |
| forehead that was about a foot and a half long. | | | | - Your horse would become lame if it stepped on |
| At around three feet tall and a mere one hundred | | | | a paw print of a wolf. - If you change a horse's |
| pounds, the European unicorn of folklore is like a | | | | name it will bring you bad luck. - If you wanted to |
| smaller version of a horse in every way | | | | cure whooping cough, the patient should inhale the |
| excepting its horn. The unicorn of Northern | | | | breath of a horse. - Riding a donkey whilst facing |
| Europe is described as being either white or | | | | the wrong way is supposedly a cure for |
| cream. Yet Southern European accounts tell of a | | | | snakebites and toothache. - If you break a mirror, |
| golden creature, or else one which is almost black. | | | | you can reverse the associated bad luck if you |
| Magical healing powers are attributed to the horn | | | | walk through your house with a horse. - To |
| of a unicorn. | | | | prevent a witch from casting a spell on your |
| Today's unicorns are depicted as being more | | | | horse you would carry a rowan wood whip. - To |
| closely looking like a horse and a little larger than | | | | cure warts you would circle them with horse hair. |
| older descriptions of the European unicorn. It is | | | | - Wearing the tail hair of a black stallion is |
| said to look exactly like a horse with a horn in the | | | | supposed to protect you from witches. - To |
| middle of its head. It is usually depicted as being | | | | prevent a mare from being irritable you put |
| pure white, however it has even been described | | | | copper pennies in the water tank. - If you wanted |
| as being colours like pink, purple and blue. | | | | to improve the tone of your piano, you could try |
| The mythical American version of the unicorn is | | | | putting the skull of a horse under the floor below |
| still very popular today with people all ages, but | | | | it. |
| especially with children. Unicorns can be seen in | | | | Horses do often appear to have this magical |
| many toys, movies and written about in books. | | | | quality which continues to draw us to them. |
| We all know that the existence of the unicorn is | | | | Certainly they inspire awe in most who are |
| but a fairy-tale, but that fairy-tale continues to | | | | fortunate to come into contact with them. This |
| delight generation after generation. | | | | mysterious ability to awe and inspire is perhaps |
| The Magical Flying Horse. | | | | why so many civilisations and cultures hold the |
| Another horse type creature that has been | | | | horse dear to their hearts. Horses will always be |
| written about in mythology and other stories is | | | | involved in storytelling, being such an integral part |
| Pegasus. Pegasus - offspring of Posiedon and | | | | of legend and myth both now and in the future. |
| Medusa in Greek mythology - was a magnificent | | | | This article has been published for the millions of |
| white winged horse that was ridden by | | | | horse enthusiasts all over the world by Animal |
| Bellerophon and had mystic powers. Zeus gave | | | | Friends Equine Insurance - the UK's only |
| Pegasus the honoured task of carrying his | | | | not-for-profit horse insurance provider. You can |
| thunderbolts. Celeris and Melanippe were the | | | | buy horse rider insurance today online or by |
| offspring of Pegasus and Eiuppe. Zeus bestowed | | | | phone, and all net profits go towards helping |
| honour upon Pegasus by transforming him into a | | | | animals in crisis around the globe. |