Horse mane weaving incidents 'caused by Pagans', police believe

Pagan worshippers are suspected of weaving horses’ manes to cast spells on the animals after police investigated a series of bizarre incidents.

By Andrew Hough
Published: 10:00PM GMT 13 Jan 2010

The practice, believed to have spread via the internet, has seen almost 20 animals targeted over the past three months.

Residents have since started a horse watch scheme after incidents were reported in fields in Hemyock, Culmstock and Clayhidon, Devon, Exeter as well as parts of Dorset and Somerset.

While the braiding appears to not do any harm to the animals, horse owners were said to have become increasingly bemused and concerned by the practice.

Police initially believed the horses were being marked for theft by organised criminals until it was discovered that none had actually been stolen or disappeared.

Officers now suspect white “witches” who practice “knot magick” are using the horses to help them cast spells.

It is thought that Pagan gods have a close connection with horses, which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals.

PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood manager for Cullompton, said the case had baffled local police.

“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,” he said.

"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."

Sarah Bloor, Police Community Support Officer for Pennsylvania, Exeter, added: "Stables are feeling vulnerable.

"So far there have been no actual thefts and we are not ruling out the possibility that it could be something else."

Jenny Parsons, secretary to the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt who has set up a local horse watch scheme, said it was thought a small group of people were undertaking the practice after communicating through social networking internet sites.

“People have started sleeping in stables but I discourage that strongly as it is not safe nor sensible,” 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."

A man in a blue Peugeot 306 was spotted taking pictures of horses in the Hemyock area of Cullompton, Devon, about a week ago.

No one has been arrested.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6980487/Horse-mane-weaving-incidents-caused-by-Pagans-police-believe.html