War Horse

Horses are born with individual markings and cowlicks/hair whorls. These unique markings are like thumbprints on people. 

The most interesting marking is a shoulder indentation on some horses. Indentations on horses often look like a scar from an injury or illness.  Indentations can appear on any part of a horse.  Even though there are some indentations caused by injury or illness, most horses with an indentation are born with it.

Many stories exist about why horses are born with what some call "God's Thumbprint" or "Prophet's Thumbprint".  Those tales are easy to find by searching Google.  They are also better know tales than that which is my favorite.

About 20 years ago a veterinarin and I were talking about shoulder indentations.  The horse I owned at the time had a large one on the lower part of her neck.  The veterinarin told me about a Native American legend of neck wounds, warriors, and horses.

Some Native American tribes had a belief that a horse with an indentation in their neck, along the bottom, near vital aorta and veins was the mark of a horse with a brave spirit and heart.  Only the bravest and best warriors earned the right to ride those horses because those warriors led the battle.

The horse with a neck indentation was believed to have died in a previous battle in a previous life.  The indentation was the mark and scar of the deadly blow from a spear or arrow.  As a result of the death in battle the horse was exceptionally brave, would never shy in battle, and could not die in battle which in return would help lead the tribe to victory.  The horses with the marks could only be bred to the chiefs band of mares.