Horse statues

[Pherstun]

Is it true that with statues the position of the horse's leg(s) indicates the way the rider died? - eg you see some with left leg up, some with right leg up and some rearing - and if so, which way did they die please?

[LazyGun]

This was discussed on QI fairly recently I think. According to that programme, the belief that the stance of the statue in some way indicates how the rider died is an urban myth

[jedimistress]

I believe it. I heard it on Radio 4 once. Reared horse means died in battle. All legs on ground mean died natural causes. Can't remember anymore.

[jedimistress]

http://www.snopes.com/military/statue.htm

I don't know. Perhaps it rumour perhaps it's true in some but not all cases?

[LazyGun]

Be nice if it was true....i quite like symbolism of this sort.

Not sure where you would be able to get "official" confirmation one way or the other though.

Think I'll continue to believe it was an urban myth for the time being :)

[Quizmonster]

Someone once researched this subject to try to confirm or deny the significance of the position of the horse's legs in these statues. He collected a large number of photographs of such heroes from all around the world and then delved into how they had actually died. There was absolutely no connection at all! In other words, you are just as likely to find a hero who died in battle on a horse with all four hooves on the ground as you are to find one with front legs in the air, for example. The joke often made about this subject is that the thing you have to watch out for is the statue with all four hooves in the air...it might be about to fall on you!

[Pherstun]

Ah well, thought it was a nice idea, would have been nice if it'd been true!

[thebigchill]

Im not sure if its true all over the world, but im certain in the uk at least reared means died in battle, one leg up means died of wounds caused in battle and all four legs down is died of natural causes. But i have a habit of being wrong apparently.

[MrPahoehoe]

Hehe, If you can find a hero on a horse with only one leg on the ground it means he died saving a posse of super models from abduction by aliens who were similtaneously trying to destroy the earth.....maybe.

[Eri.D.]

I don't know about here in the UK, but at Gettysburg they do as follows:

Four legs on ground - survived unwounded.

Two legs on ground - Killed/Died.

One leg on ground - wounded.

If you get the chance visit this battlefield, allow two days.

Eri.D.