The Real Reason Gandalf’s Shadowfax Is So Fast In Lord Of The Rings

There’s an important reason Gandalf’s (Ian McKellen) Shadowfax is the most powerful horse in The Lord of the Rings. From the moment the Lord of All Horses heeds Gandalf’s whistling call across the Riddermark, it’s clear that he differs from the other horses within the trilogy. The silvery-grey horse inspires awe and respect in Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), who even bow in his presence. The reason behind Shadowfax’s power is revealed in a small but important line spoken by Legolas.

Among the most powerful creatures in LOTR, Shadowfax carries Gandalf across hundreds of miles without rest. Not only is he said to run faster than the wind, clearing the wilderness between Rohan and the Shire within six days, but he also possesses unusual courage. Shadowfax charges into battle with unmatched speed and stands his ground against any threat, even the Witch King. He also surpasses other beasts in intelligence, comprehending human speech, and engaging with Gandalf on a spiritual level. As the white wizard tells Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli in The Two Towers, he considers Shadowfax “a friend through many dangers.”

Shadowfax Came From A Legendary Line of LOTR Horses

The reason Shadowfax is so powerful stems from his heritage. When Shadowfax appears in The Two Towers, an awestruck Legolas says, “That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell.” The Mearas are a line of wild horses characterized by enhanced intelligence, speed, strength, and lifespan. Shadowfax descends from Felaróf, the first of the Mearas, who in turn descended from Nahar. Nahar was the steed of one of the Valar, powerful figures subordinate to the one God in The Lord of the Rings. Nahar’s hooves were shod in gold, and he was said to shine white in the day and silver at night.

Felaróf similarly had one rider: he was tamed by the first King of Rohan. Thereafter, all the Mearas could only be mounted by the Kings of Rohan or their sons, making Gandalf a special exception given his status as a Maiar. Shadowfax had originally been King Théoden’s (Bernard Hill) horse, but none of the Rohirrim could tame him. He only answered Gandalf’s call, even while under Théoden’s ownership. The movies never showed Gandalf’s full power as a Maiar, making his relationship with Shadowfax seem to echo that of Nahar and his rider.

Rohan Was Famous For Breeding Fast Horses

The greatest horsemen ride in Rohan, and so do the greatest horses. Because the Mearas are wild by nature, they are challenging for even the most skilled Rohirrim to master. The Rohirrim bred all of the Mearas since Felaróf, but Shadowfax was arguably their best and had the most screentime in the films. Led by Gandalf and Shadowfax, the Rohirrim and Mearas were able to defeat Saruman’s forces in the Battle of Helm’s Deep. While the Mearas have limited screen time, the Lord of the Rings Rohirrim movie may shed light on the legendary horses and Shadowfax as their chief.