What was the legend of the flying horse?

Pegasus was the winged horse of Greek mythology – the steed ridden by Bellerophon when he killed the Chimaera, a fearsome, fire-breathing animal. When Bellerophon tried to fly to heaven, Pegasus threw him and was killed. Pegasus became a constellation. Another legend about Pegasus concerns a song contest held by the Muses. The music made Mount Helicon start to grow higher. Pegasus struck it with his hoof to stop it and a fountain sprang forth. Its water inspired the poets and now a poet is said to ‘mount his Pegasus’ when he begins to write.