Tikbalang – Mythical Horses

Beyond the every day mythical horses like the unicorn and pegasus, I thought I’d take a look at some stranger and darker horses in mythology.

Tikbalang

Also called Tigbalang, Tigbalan, or Tikbalan

A bony half-man, half-horse humanoid said to roam the rural hinterlands of the Philippine islands.

The Tikibalang was quite the trickster and legend has it that he liked to lead outsiders deep into the remote woods of the Philippine mountains. He did this by using his special powers of shape shifting to turn himself into the loved ones of his victims, then leading them into the woods.

I put together a description of this creature so you’ll recognize it. Although should you find yourself in the Philippines and you see your grandma in the woods, don’t follow her.

Identifying the Tikbalang?

• Tall & bony body of a muscular man
• Head and hooves of a horse
• Legs so long their knees hide their face when they squat
• Mane is made of sharp spines
• Some of the spines can be made into talismans
• The emit an odor of burning hair and cigars

Getting away from a Tikibalang
The legend says that to get away from this creature you have to wear your shirt inside out. I say, while in the Philippines, wear it inside out anyway, just to be sure.