Tradition / Region: Norse Mythology
Alternative names: –
Category: Horse
The Myth
Sleipnir is the eight-legged horse of Odin and is regarded as the finest of all horses. He is the child of Loki and the stallion Svaðilfari and is described as grey in color.
According to the Prose Edda, Sleipnir was born during the construction of the gods’ fortress. A builder was permitted to use his powerful stallion, Svaðilfari, to complete the work. Fearing that the builder would succeed and claim his reward, the gods forced Loki to prevent the stallion from helping. Loki transformed into a mare and lured Svaðilfari away. From this union Loki later gave birth to Sleipnir, who became Odin’s mount and was considered the best horse among both gods and men.
Sleipnir carries Odin throughout the Nine Worlds. When the god Baldr dies, Odin sends his son Hermóðr to Hel upon Sleipnir to plead for Baldr’s return. After riding for nine nights through deep valleys, Sleipnir leaps effortlessly over the gates of Hel, allowing Hermóðr to continue his mission before carrying him safely back to Asgard.
The horse also appears in the tale of Odin’s encounter with the giant Hrungnir. Odin boasts that no horse in the world can match Sleipnir, prompting Hrungnir to pursue him on his own steed, Gullfaxi, in a race that ends at the gates of Asgard.
In the Völsunga saga, Odin guides the hero Sigurðr in choosing a horse. Among many animals driven into a river, only a young grey horse remains. Odin reveals that it is descended from Sleipnir. Sigurðr names the horse Grani, who later becomes his famous companion.
Sleipnir also appears in the Poetic Edda, the Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, and Gesta Danorum. He is frequently praised as the greatest of horses and is closely associated with Odin’s journeys between the worlds of gods, giants, and the dead.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Sleipnir. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleipnir