What are the Horses in Lord of the Rings?

I need to start by saying that Lord of The Rings might be one of the best movies ever made, and I think that a lot of people will agree with me. The storytelling, attention to detail, writing, and CGI are incredible, especially for that time.

As you probably already know Lord of the Rings takes place in medieval times where there wasn’t any other method for traveling long distances apart from a horse. And since characters in the movie are traveling almost all the time, they are using a horse (except Frodo and Sam, which is a bit weird, but it must have been with them keeping a low profile).

Either way, there are a lot of horses in Lord of the Rings, and some of the most important characters also have their own loyal horse.
Let’s take a look at all the horses that show up in the movie.

 

1. Shadowfax

I don’t know about you, but Gandalf has always been my favorite character in LOTR. But he is not alone, he always travels with his trusty Shadowfax. Although we are talking about Gandalf the Grey, his horse is white as snow.

It is one of the most beautiful horses I’ve ever seen. The horse is described as having a silver, shadowy mane, and his name comes from the old English “Sceadu- fæx” which means “shadow man”. It is one of the coolest horses in the movie, but how did Gandalf end up with Shadowfax?

After escaping from Saruman in “The Fellowship of the Ring”, Gandalf becomes a kind of horse whisperer. Why?

Well, here is something that you’ve probably missed in the movie. If you take a look at all riders like Legolas, Boromir, Aragorn, and others, you can see that all of them use horse saddle and straps when they are riding their horses.

But Gandalf on the other hand doesn’t even use a bridle or saddle. The most epic moment with Shadowfax is when he arrives at Helm’s Deep.

But why is Shadowfax so special? He’s not just fast, he’s almost supernatural. It’s said that only the royalty of Rohan could ride the Mearas, yet Gandalf—the wise old wizard—breaks tradition. Shadowfax’s speed and loyalty are unmatched, making him a trusty companion when Gandalf needs to show up at the last minute to save the day (which, let’s be honest, happens a lot).

If I had to place a bet on the horses from Lord of The Rings, I’d place my money on Shadowfax. If you also like horse racing betting, maybe you should consider joining a handicapper tournament at TwinSpires.com.

2. Bill the Pony

Now let’s switch gears from regal to…not so regal. Bill the Pony is the horse equivalent of an underdog story. Owned by the scruffy and shady character Bill Ferny, this pony’s luck changes for the better when the Fellowship buys him at Bree.

Sam Gamgee takes Bill under his wing, and the two form a heartwarming bond that’s quite touching. Sam even talks to Bill like he’s his best friend—and frankly, that’s probably because, for a while, he kind of is.

Though Bill isn’t as flashy as Shadowfax, he’s sturdy and reliable. He’s with the Fellowship through their difficult trek, even though he eventually has to be sent back to Bree. (Horses and Moria don’t mix well, apparently).

If you’re ever in need of an example of a humble, dependable sidekick, look no further than Bill the Pony. His exit from the story? Sam says goodbye like it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done. Admit it, we all felt a little emotional when Bill was sent away.

3. Arod

Arod is another important horse in the trilogy, especially for our elf-and-dwarf combo, Legolas and Gimli. Originally, Arod belongs to the riders of Rohan, but he’s given to Legolas as a gift. What’s fascinating is how easily Arod bonds with Legolas—elves have a magical way with animals, after all.

Arod serves as the transportation for both Legolas and Gimli, despite Gimli’s initial fear of riding. Their adventures together—from Rohan to Helm’s Deep—are marked by Arod’s reliability. He’s no Shadowfax, but he’s perfect for the dynamic duo.

4. Snowmane

On the flip side, we have the story of Snowmane, the faithful steed of Théoden, King of Rohan. Snowmane’s tale ends tragically during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

As Théoden leads his men into battle, both he and Snowmane are struck down by the Witch-king of Angmar. In a heartbreaking moment, Théoden dies underneath his horse, symbolizing the deep connection between the king and his loyal companion. Snowmane’s grave becomes a memorial for both the king and his fallen horse, marking one of the sadder moments in Tolkien’s epic.

5. Felaróf

Let’s not forget the OG of horse royalty in Middle-earth: Felaróf. He’s the ancestor of Shadowfax and is said to be the very first of the Mearas, the breed of superhorses that only the kings of Rohan could ride. Felaróf’s story is pretty wild—literally.

After killing the father of Eorl, the first king of Rohan, Felaróf was captured and tamed by Eorl himself. Felaróf went on to serve Eorl faithfully, showing the deep respect between man and beast. This horse set the stage for all the other Mearas, including the beloved Shadowfax.