Horsing Around

Police 'consult warlock on horse plaiting'

Police in West Dorset have reportedly spoken to a "warlock" as part of their investigation into the plaiting of several horses' manes.

Owners initially thought that the plaiting could have been used to identify horses that would later be stolen, but none were taken, The Daily Telegraph reports.

PC Tim Poole said: "We have some very good information from a warlock that this is part of a white magic ritual and is to do with 'knot magick'.

"It would appear that for people of this belief, knot magick is used when they want to cast a spell."

He added: "Some of the gods they worship have a strong connection to horses so if they have a particular request, plaiting this knot in a horse's mane lends strength to the request.

"The fact that this rash of plaiting coincides with one of their ceremonial times of year adds weight to the theory. This warlock said it is a benign activity, albeit maybe a bit distressing for the horse owner."

However, pagan witch Phil Robinson said: "Some people play at Satanism and this may be related to people messing about, but it is worrying if people think it is related to paganism - we have a bad enough press as it is."