Who loves horses?

[faeriechylde]

Okay, so I admit that one of the main reasons I love HHB is that some of the main characters are horses, and I love horses. I think it's funny how Lewis gives them such "horsey" personalities and names, too.
I've never owned horses, though I've ridden other people's horses occasionally. I hope to own a few someday when I have my own land.
Does anyone else here love horses or wish they had a talking horse?

[DryadofLanternWaste]

right now I have a sort of distant affection for them, and a quiet longing to know how to ride one. Let's see how I feel about them after marching the parade on Thursday, lol.

[GrayCloak]

I've always loved horses, and HHB was my favorite of the CoN when I was young because of that reason. I've never owned them, but I've always wanted to, and took riding leasons back when I could still afford it. (and yes, when I was little I did talk to a few in the hopes they'd talk back :) )

I think Bree especially was a wonderful character in all the books, Lewis gave him such a dignity and pride that I've always thought horses would have if they could express it.

So, yah! I'm all up for talking all things horsy! :)

[faeriechylde]

You're right about Bree's character, GrayCloak. I think Hwin is also a great example of a gentle but rather skittish mare. I wonder if Lewis was inspired by any real horses?

[Dead Rain]

i love horses! i wish i had my own, too. i wonder the same, fae. that would be awsome if they were..... Hwin and Bree are the best!

[GrayCloak]

That's something to think about, I wonder too....

Hwin reminded me of older mares I've ridden, after they've had a foal or two. They seem much more gentle and subdued then thier younger counterparts. And some (and I know I'm projecting human attributes here to animals:) ) you would swear they were always looking back to make sure you're ok.

Does anyone think that Lewis showed more affection for the horses then some of the other animals in the CoN? Maybe it's just because they took main roles in HHB, but I always thought he seemed to love Hwin and Bree.

[faeriechylde]

I don't know about Lewis, but I know that Ralph Wood, an expert on Tolkien who came to speak at my school, said that Tolkien considered horses "the noblest of all beasts." I guess that would put them in his favorites category! :D No wonder he made a whole country just for them (Rohan).
Anyway, I do agree with you that Lewis seems to portray a special fondness for horses by making a whole book with Bree and Hwin as the main characters. But then, the whole series is about Aslan, and Reepicheep plays important roles in two books, so I can't say for sure. Not to mention, since HHB is about a long journey on land, the practical animals to have as characters would be horses, so that they could be ridden! But it's nice to think that maybe Lewis had a soft spot in his heart for them.