If you ever had the opportunity to watch the Yateley Morris Men perform, it is probable that you also met our magnificent Horse!

The ‘World Famous’ Yateley horse goes back almost as long as the formation of Yateley Morris men in 1975. Historically, our horse has great antecedents. The first record of a Hooden Horse is of Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury who, in 690, put a ban on ‘any who on the kalends of January clothe themselves in the skins and heads of animals’. Ick. 

He has travelled all over the European continent with us and his escapades have been related worldwide, we are still not sure how he managed to get out of the country…

You will notice that our horse is a Highwayman’s Horse, probably Parson Darby’s steed, a local cleric who, besides preaching to his flock on Sundays had another calling – robbing travellers who made their way over Surrey Heath. He was finally caught and hanged on Jenkins hill near Camberley at Gibbet Lane. The Horse wears a long black cloak and wears a mask to disguise his identity. It should be noted that our horse carries no guns or weapons however he does have a very endearing, toothy smile.

Morris ‘Sides’ often have a ‘beast’ to accompany the dancers and musicians. Horses are probably the most popular, either as a Hobby Horse or a hooded/hoodened Horse.  Kent has a particularly strong tradition of Hoodened Horses.

Our Horse often works together with the ‘Fool’ of the side. Their objective is to entertain the audience between dances so that the dancers can regroup and get their breath back. He even has his own Facebook page, where his hooves tap out stories and he is often rude about the Morris Men or ‘Erberts as he calls them…or whifflers….or fluffers… He is not at all vain. 

Our naughty horse, although prancing like the beast he is, has the ability to dance and can often be seen stepping in time with the dancers and running around the dance ‘set’. Another feature of our horse is the ability to run! As can be testified by young, screaming, maidens who are often seen legging it down the street hotly being pursued by the horse. No refuge is safe from the horse be it shops, buses, houses, changing rooms or markets.

Our horse has however an altogether gentler side when he will crouch down to allow children to stroke him. Even been known for a child to share a sweet with the horse by placing something in his mouth. Speaking of his mouth, the horse never speaks, neither to Morris men nor the audience. Who ever heard a horse speak anyway?

On a final note, we are often asked what the horse is called, the answer being he is simply known as ‘Horse.’

Please come and watch Yateley Morris Men dance and marvel at the abilities of our ‘Beast’.