The Welsh Pony: The Ceffyl Dŵr

The Ceffyl Dŵr. Never heard of it? Don't know how to pronounce it? Well, let me teach you a thing.

The Ceffyl Dŵr (Keff-ill dwr) is a shape shifting water horse that dwells in the lakes from Welsh Mythology. You may have heard of its bro, the Scottish Keplie. You know the one, the horse that lets people ride it and then drowns them. Yep, that's him. Well, the Ceffyl Dŵr is its less popular, a tad nicer cousin.

Now according to what part of Wales you are from, the Ceffyl Dŵr looks a little different. 

The North describe it as this terrible being with fiery eyes with an evil aura. Where the South (the best) describe it as a little bit cheeky to lone travellers, but also in a positive light with its beautiful wings. Or in reality, they probably don't give a shit and let the beast do what it wants. As long as it doesn't hurt the sheep, I'm sure it's fine.

Now when you see this beast, it may look like any other welsh cob (a breed of pony) wandering the valley ponds. However, upon close inspection, the pony is surrounded by mist that illuminates its grey coat. Though, it is very unlikely to see one, unless it is trying to kill you, as when it is seen, it will evaporate into mist, making it impossible to kill.

If you suffer from Equinophobia (the fear of horses), you probably don't want to read on. Like most water horses, the Ceffyl Dŵr isn't always friendly. The beast will hide in its pond, waiting for the wondering welsh man before ambushing him and trying to strangle him with its legs. Though, if it doesn't managed to kill you like that, it'll just do it the old fashioned way and trample you to death.

The Ceffyl Dŵr is also a bit of a flirt. If it sees a wary traveller, it will whine, buck and toss its head around, trying to gain the attention the unlucky person. Now if the person is tired, or has had some Tesco lasagne, they may try to mount the steed. Though,this is where it all goes wrong. The pony will ride up into the sky at frightening speeds, taking the person on an incredible pony ride, showing them wonder by wonder, before evaporating into mist, letting the person fall and die.

Now being a shape shifter, there are some whacked up stories. My favourite is the one about a man from the Rhondda (I wonder why?). Anyway, the dude was strolling along in Pontypridd, when all of a sudden the Ceffyl Dŵr in the form of a squirrel tried to strangle the man. Luckily for him, he survived the attack...but then died of a mysterious illness. I always thought the squirrels from Ponty looked shifty.

So next time you visit Wales, make sure you stay clear from ponies and squirrels. And probably sheep. You never know.

External links

http://www.celtnet.org.uk/miscellaneous/ceffyl_dwfr.html

http://www.celtnet.org.uk/miscellaneous/ceffyl_dwfr.html

http://howlinghorse.deviantart.com/art/Ceffyl-Dwr-Kelpie-198731883?offset=10

https://www.flickr.com/photos/38874442@N08/7316103554/in/photostream/

http://arrsistable.deviantart.com/art/Elemental-Water-73303556