The Horthrace is a small, canine-sized hybrid most commonly observed in the oral folklore of older Germanic families in the western United States.
Generally described as having a shaggy and dog-like body (typically a retriever or other long-haired variant) with the upper body of a prepubescent boy, the Horthrace might be considered a more whimsical cousin of the Centaur or Satyr. Rather than displaying the lascivious or aggressive tendencies of similar beings, mythologist Lukas Schekter noted the Horthrace to be more of “an unfortunate and obsequious companion in the misadventures of adolescent girls,” and is often “used as a scapegoat or other object to absorb blame or culpability when something goes awry.”
In an early 19th century German poem scrawled on the underside of a Bavarian end table Schekter discovered in California, the Horthrace is depicted as:
“A pallid, moon-faced youth, Sentimental and still of tongue.
An object of derision and verbal abuse for maidens: ‘Ya, the Horthrace has come.’”
Folktales around the Horthrace involve him being servile and timid, and often the butt of jokes and scorn for young women in the midst of light misfortune. One well-known tale tells of a betrothed maiden who was discovered in the throes of an unbreakable slumber at the tolling of the bells for her matrimonial ceremony. She could not be stirred into wakefulness until the next day, by which time the groom had given up hope and deserted her.
The maiden, of course, claimed the Horthrace had appeared the night before and lulled her to sleep with softly spoken questions about assisting with various wedding preparations. When she awoke at long last, the Horthrace had vanished and all she had as proof of her ill-timed visit was a small tuft of fur reputedly from the tail of her guest.
Though mostly accepted as imaginary, the Horthrace is held in similar regard as the Christmas Elf in American holiday lore. He can be expected to visit any gathering of only young women (though not in public places) and will usually tend to minor requests of the group and cause a mild nuisance with his presence.