The Headless Horse

The Headless Horse is a horse-like creature and the eponymous character of the ghost story The Legend of The Headless Horse. It is alluded to in the episodes Look Before You Sleep, Sleepless in Ponyville, and Scare Master and other media.__TOC__
==Development, design, and gender==
The Headless Horse's build is similar to those of Princess Luna, Fleur Dis Lee, Princess Cadance, the Mane-iac, "Tropical Dream", Sassy Saddles, S06E20 Unnamed Earth Mare #8, S06E20 Unnamed Earth Mare #9, and S06E20 Unnamed Earth Mare #10. Though its body is that of a mare, The Headless Horse is predominantly referred to with gender-neutral pronouns; however, it is referred to with a female pronoun in a piece of merchandise.
A different version of The Headless Horse was drawn by Andy Price between the winter prior to June 2012 and July 2012, being his first MLP drawing.
The Headless Horse was most likely inspired by the Headless Horseman made famous by Washington Irving in his short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
==Depiction in the series==
 The Headless Horse is first mentioned in the season one episode Look Before You Sleep. During Twilight Sparkle's slumber party at the Golden Oak Library, she tells the Headless Horse story to Applejack and Rarity, and she scares them by briefly impersonating The Headless Horse itself.
In the season three episode Sleepless in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash tells the story of The Headless Horse to Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo during a camping trip. Applejack interrupts the story at least twice to comment on The Headless Horse's lack of eyes and brain. The Headless Horse subsequently appears in Scootaloo's nightmares, resembling Princess Luna.
In the season five episode Scare Master, Rarity briefly considers Fluttershy dressing up as a "headless pony" for Nightmare Night.
==Other depictions==
===IDW comics===
On page 5 of the mini-comic The Fall of Sunset Shimmer, a book titled The Headless Horse is visible on a shelf in a dark magic library in Canterlot Castle.
===Chapter books===
In Applejack and the Honest-to-Goodness Switcheroo, Applejack briefly recalls the events of Sleepless in Ponyville and remembers the story of The Headless Horse.
===My Little Pony (mobile game)===
The Headless Horse is a character in the mobile game, and acts as a boss battle helper during "The League of Evil" event. Its bio states, "On a dark and stormy night...oh my goodness it’s right behind you!!! (Made you look!)"
==Merchandise==
The Elements of Harmony guidebook pages 198-199 chronicle the events of Sleepless in Ponyville differently, expanding The Headless Horse's in-episode role with her additionally replacing the in-episode role of The Olden Pony (who is shown on page 199).
==Gallery==
Rainbow forming the shadow of the Headless Horse S3E06.png
Scootaloo in leaves S3E6.png
Scootaloo seeing she's trapped S3E6.png
The Headless Horse on a hill S3E6.png
Headless shadow S3E6.png
Headless Horse galloping closer S3E6.png
Headless Horse S3E6.png
Scootaloo cornered by the Headless Horse S3E6.png
Headless mare with Luna on the moon in background S3E6.png
Headless Horse getting vaporized S3E6.png
==References==
Category:Fictional characters
Category:Supporting characters