The horse is a revered animal which has inspired writers and commentators throughout the centuries. As it is the Year of the Horse, here are some descriptions of its character in fine literature and examples of how this animal has infiltrated the English language through idiom.
'He is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him: he is indeed a horse: and all other jades you may call beasts.'
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), from King Henry V
The saying 'Never look a gift horse in the mouth' was first attributed to Saint Jerome, the bible scholar and translator, in the fifth century. It was first written as 'Never inspect the teeth of a gift horse'. It means that one shouldn't find fault with anything that has been given or offered as a gift.
'Without the horse what would have become of man ?
It has served us for transport, in agriculture, industry, and every kind of activity since the dawn of time.'