A brag is a mischievous shapeshifting goblin in the folklore of Northumbria (Northumberland and Durham[1]) and often takes the form of a horse or donkey.[1][2][3] It is fond of letting unsuspecting humans ride on its back before bucking them off into a pond or bush and running away laughing. One notable example is the Picktree Brag that was said to take other unusual forms such as a calf with a white handkerchief around its neck, a naked headless man, and even four men holding a white sheet.[1][2][3] A brag at Humbleknowe was never seen but made hideous noises in the night.[1]
Popular culture
Gary the Horse, from the webcomic Bad Machinery, identifies himself as a brag after bucking Shauna Wickle into the water after convincing her to take a ride on his back.[4]