Police probe pagan link to horse weaving
POLICE believe a bizarre outbreak of horse mane weaving may be the work of a secretive cult of pagan worshippers practising a form of white magic.
The strange practice has broken out in fields in Devon and parts of Dorset and Somerset.
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Janet Portbury of Hilltop Riding School with horse Chester, who was targeted
Nearly 20 animals have been singled out for the bizarre treatment over the past three months in Hemyock, Culmstock and Clayhidon, the Culm Valley and Exeter.
Officers initially believed the horses were being marked for theft by organised criminals – until they realised none of them disappeared.
Now they think white witches who practise "knot magick" are using the horses to help them cast spells.
Pagan gods are thought to have a close connection with horses which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals.
PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood beat manager for Cullompton, said: "At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting to start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual.
"It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Although the braiding does no harm to the affected horses, owners are becoming increasingly bemused and concerned.
Jenny Parsons, secretary to the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt, who has set up a horse watch scheme, believes a small group of people are targeting the same animals after communicating through social networking websites.
She said: "It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
Mrs Parsons urged horse owners to send pictures of the plaits to local police and to remain vigilant.
She added: "Until we know anything different this is worth taking very seriously. They seem to be targeting some individuals more than others, but why?"
It was originally thought the plaits might be being used to mark horses by rustlers so they could be collected at night by gangs armed with fence-cutting equipment and a horsebox.
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by footloooose
Thursday, January 12 2012, 12:43AM
“I think it a very strong possibility that this is the work of pagans.Gerald Gardner the father of wicca in his "book of shadows" (why not light?) under the section "Power" 1953, mentions blood sacrifice and whilst he says it is evil he goes on to mention that such sacrifices can exude great power.It does not take a leap of logic to imagine some pagans doing this.Gardner also mentions that the most powerful sacrifice is a willing human sacrice,by willing i imagine another brainwashed pagan who believes in the afterlife.Remember the case of the pagan druid Peter Solheim who's lover Margret James was charged with drugging him, torturing him and murder, torture hightens the magic apparently according to some pagan texts,according to police she had an accomplice or more but she kept silent.Parents beware pagans,traditional initiations according to Gerald Gardner include bondaged,blinfolded flogging and of course sex.Nigel Plymouth”
by Joanna, UK
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 9:44AM
“It's a long held belief, in Ireland I think, that travelled across to Canada as well - if you found plaits in your horse's mane, the faeries have been with it. They should research their folklore a bit better!”
by Mariane, France
Sunday, January 17 2010, 1:26PM
“Braiding a horse's mane is common practice before a show, do you think people would do it if it could affect the horse?
And why do you talk of trespassing? Some horses put their head over the fence to say hello and to be petted willingly enough.
Some people should be sued for wasting valuable police time over a trivial matter which caused no harm at all.”
by Bob, UK
Saturday, January 16 2010, 11:50AM
“Rubbish!, this is clearly the work of the "My Little Pony" fan club!”
by Dawn Gribble, Devon, UK
Friday, January 15 2010, 1:19PM
“As the creator of several pagan social networking sites with over 30,000 pagans combined, I can safely say that not one of them have to contacted me to say that they've heard of this practice. I suggest that the Police refrain from jumping to conclusions and blaming Pagans - spouting off a load of nonsense will not help them solve these crimes . Could the reporter actually be a bit more specific too - not every Pagan God has an association with Horses. Misinformation is one of the very reason that groups such as Pagan folk get blamed for ridiculous crimes such as these.”