Horses were highly prized in ancient Irish culture. Deference for our equine companions continues to this very day.

Both Ireland and Kentucky, my two homes on either side of the Atlantic, are renowned for breeding magnificent racehorses.  So I thought it was high time I explored the connection between the Irish and horses.

This collection of old Irish words of wisdom, in praise of our equine friends, underlines the importance of these magnificent animals to the Irish throughout the centuries.

 

“A tattered foal can grow into a splendid horse.”

 

In passages of the Brehon Laws it is revealed that during the first milennium the Irish often imported horses from Wales and France. No saddle was used when riding.

Horses made an enormous contribution to the Irish economy in the 19th century.

“It is a good horse that draws its own cart.”

 

They plowed fields, thereby helping feed the population. They pulled carts, transporting people from place to place.

“Ní dhéanfach an saol capall rás d’asal.”

 

Pronunciation in English phonetics

= Nee yay-nock on sale cop-ull raw-se dah-sal.

“All the world would not make a racehorse from a donkey.”

 

“A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.”

 

Ancient Irish horsemen rode without stirrups. A horse was mounted by springing from the ground on to the back of the horse. This mounting method was used up until the seventeenth century in Ireland.

 

“Put a beggar on horseback, and he’ll go at a gallop.”

 

Every young man of the upper classes in olden days was required to learn horse-riding.

 

“The raggy colt often made a powerful horse.”

 

Today we require our children to learn how to read, but in the days of Brehon Law the skill of horse-riding was legally  required.

“Mair a chapaill agus gheobhaidh tú féar.”

Pronunciation using English phonetics:

Mar, a cop-ull ah-gus gheow-hig thoo fay-ur

“Live, horse, and you will get grass.”

 

The meaning of this saying may not be immediately apparent to many readers.  Believe it or not, these words are meant to be encouraging.

It tells us that we must first survive and live, and then we will receive our reward.

After 1695 the Penal Laws were enforced against Catholics. The Penal Laws were gradually repealed over the course of the 18th century.  Of note is the law regarding horse ownership.

No Catholic was allowed to keep a horse with a value worth more than 5 Pounds. If a Protestant saw a Catholic with a horse of greater value, then he could purchase the horse for 5 Pounds.

This horrendous discrimination resulted in Irish people placing great value upon horse ownership, as is clearly evident in the next old saying.

 

“Sell the cow, buy the sheep, but never be without the horse.”

 

“Youth sheds many a skin.

The steed does not retain its speed forever.”

 

“The best jockeys are in the stands.”

 

“Everyone lays a burden on the willing horse.”

 

“Bíonn grásta Dé idir an dialait agus an talamh.”

Pronunciation using English phonetics:

Been graw-sta Day id-ur on Dee-a-lit ah-gus on thal-uv

“The grace of God is found between the saddle and the ground.”

 

Over the course of my first twenty-two years of life, I heard many of these sayings uttered by my West Cork granny. They were part and parcel of her everyday speech. Whenever I read them now, I smile, remembering how these wonderful words of wisdom just tripped off the tip of her tongue.

I hope you enjoyed this little exploration of the Irish love of horses.

You might also enjoy my lessons in life from wise old Irish hens, and over the coming months I hope to explore more Irish sayings about animals big and small.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my ramblings.

 

Slán agus beannacht,

(Goodbye and blessings)

 

Irish American Mom