An archaic or folkloric term for a mischievous spirit or fairy believed to lead horses astray or cause them mischief, similar to a puca.
From 'colt' + 'pixie' (a small mythological creature from English folklore), where 'pixie' comes from Cornish origins (possibly related to 'piskies'). This compound reflects medieval beliefs about supernatural horse-tricksters.
People in medieval England blamed mysterious things happening to horses on 'coltpixies'—the supernatural explanation for what was probably just normal horse behavior, showing how folklore fills in gaps when we don't understand something.
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