K is for Kelpie

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than 1500 blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster limericks fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

Kelpie

Mystic water horse from ancient lore

Rises to the surface, spots prey from the shore

Traps them in seaweed

Drags'em under for a feed

And they're seen again nevermore

Sure they look friendly, but Kelpies aren't exactly the type of creature you want to actually become friends with. 

Kelpies are shape shifters, most commonly taking the form of a pure white or black horse, luring unsuspecting prey with the promise of a ride on its back.

Oh, you'll go for a ride, alright - but it won't be into the sunset. 

The creature's skin is adhesive, so once you've hopped on, there's no way to get off. You'll head straight to the water where the beastie first drowns you, and then eats you - well, everything except your heart and liver. Not a pretty way to go.

Kelpies prefer young, fresh meat, so keep a special eye on your kids if you're traveling near lochs and lakes in northern European countries. 

SURVIVAL TIP: There's something to be said for being wary of strangers - and that means strange animals as well. Shape shifters can take many forms - keep your wits about you, and pay attention to anything that seems...shifty.

Kelpies are a pretty freaky "K" - but if you've got a scarier beast in mind, let us know. Tell us in the comments below and you could win an e-copy of SPIRITED, an anthology of 13 haunting stories.

And then, why not head over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

Monster Monday: Kelpie

Kelpie artwork credit

Horse myths go back to ancient times when Helios and his chariot, pulled by four stallions, charged across the sky, dragging the sun along behind them. Horse cults spread throughout Britain and Ireland, including those who worshiped the goddess Epona.

These wild creatures have served man for thousands of years, carrying our warriors into to battle and safely home again. Yet not all ponies are created equal. One of the most famous creatures of Celtic mythology is the water horse known as Kelpie. Kelpie are usually beautiful young mares or stallions discovered calmly grazing by rivers or lakes. Weary travellers are fooled by their gentle appearance and once upon the backs of these beasties…the Kelpie goes dark side - bolting for the water and to drown their unwanted riders in its depths.

It's said you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Or can you? Legend has it if you fasten a bridle around a Kelpie’s neck, you can bend the beast to your will. If the bridle is removed, however, watch out…the Kelpie will seek vengeance!

SURVIVAL TIP: Identification in this instance can save your life. The timid, wandering horse you stumble upon may appear innocent enough...BEWARE... if it has a dripping wet mane or tail – let this dark horse RUN – without you.

BONUS: Combining last week’s post about witches with today’s horse mythology, the folksong “Witch of the Westmorland” featuring the artwork of Matthew Westberg and performed by the late, great, Canadian folksinger, Stan Rodgers: