The Celtic People and Horses

by Cheryl Childs 


The Celtic people are a bit of a mystery to historians and anthropologists. It is believed the the Celts occupied land in Eastern Europe, Greece, Spain, Northern Italy, England, Wales, Scotland and, of course, Ireland.  Horses were a very important animal in both Celtic culture and spirituality.
 Horses certainly were a integral part of Celtic life. It's said the Roman begrudgingly admired the equestrian skills of the Celtic people they encountered in war. They were said to ride their horse bareback and without bridles in battle. The Celts were said to not only be highly skilled horsemen and horsewomen, but also to have had a special knowledge of a horse's psyche on a very intimate level. Celtic warriors, who were both male and female,  were taught to ride at the center of the wind, for they believed the wind was literally and symbolically God's spirit and breath.
 The Celts preferred to live in the country in clans and move when they wanted, taking their horses with them of course. They didn't like excessive organization, management or conformity.
 Many horse breeds are credited to the Celtic people. Breeds like the Shire, the Belgian, the Clydesdale and the Percheron. Other breeds such as the  Connemara Pony are also thought to have been bred first by the Celts.
 The Celts worshiped the horse on many levels. Today you can see horses carved into a chalk hillside in Berkshire, England. It is called the White Horse Of
Uffington.  It was discovered in 1994 and some think there are probably other such horses carved out of hills. The hill upon which the figure is drawn is called White Horse Hill and the hills immediately surrounding it, the White Horse Hills.  White horses have been considered lucky much like a horseshoe.
  At one time the Celts believed in a horse goddess. Her name is Epona and  shrines to her could be found in stables. She was often depicted sitting sidesaddle or lying on a horse, or standing with multiple horses around her.
They believed she protected horses, animals, riders and stables. The Romans even embraced her as a goddess. People would bring offers of baskets of apples and  carrots.
 Even after the Celts embraced Christianity they did not abandon nature and combined nature's teachings with the lessons of Scripture. Like the Native American in this country the Celts still believed in
nature's way as well as embraced Christianity,  combining the two the beliefs. It said that when St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland he used nature to teach the Celts about Christ. The  Celts respected nature and  felt as if horses were a Godsend.
 The Celtic people’s influence can still be found in places such as Spain, Wales, Scotland, Italy, and Ireland. These countries are places where horses and humans still seem to have a special.
  Don't forget to give your horses a carrot or apple on St. Patrick's Day.