The original Litlington White Horse was part of a broader trend in the 19th and early 20th centuries, during which several communities in southern England created or restored chalk figures as enduring symbols of local identity, pride, and heritage.

[1] Local legend suggests that James Pagden's work on the horse began during a picnic along the River Cuckmere, which supposedly ended with the completion of the cutting on a single day.

[20] Interest in the original Litlington White Horse was reignited in the early 20th century, sparking efforts to revive its tradition and preserve its historical significance.

[21] The 1924 carving is widely regarded as both a restoration of the original figure and a reimagined design, created to honour and celebrate the enduring legacy of the horse on Hindover Hill.

[24][25] The original drawing created by John Ade to assist with the horse's cutting is minutely annotated to give the distance between each peg and the next to ensure the accuracy of the design's transfer.

[26] The unusual design of the horse, especially the original differing positions of its front and rear legs, drew attention for its peculiar composition.

"[27] In the late 1930s, the Litlington White Horse was deliberately covered by the Ministry of Defence to prevent it from being used as a location marker for the Luftwaffe during World War II, after maps featuring hill figures were found on captured German aircrew.

[28] This was not corrected until the full moon of 9 June 1949, when between 10 pm and 3 am, two of the original cutters, John Ade and Stephen Bovis, alongside their friend Paul Harris, made several changes to return the horse to its 1924 appearance.

These changes included recutting an additional front leg and readjusting the back, which "had shifted uphill a bit from saddle to rump".

Notably, in 1985, the East Sussex County Council, in collaboration with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, undertook significant work to maintain and enhance the figure.

[32] This project, sponsored by Prudential plc, also included terracing the legs and body to reduce the gradient and ensure the chalk would remain in place.

Its striking image against the rolling hills of East Sussex makes it a popular subject for artists seeking to capture the beauty and history of the English countryside.

[42] The maintenance of the horse indirectly supports the preservation of this habitat, as regular clearing of the figure helps prevent the spread of invasive species and promotes the growth of native chalk grassland flora.

Today, the Litlington White Horse is a popular spot for hikers and tourists, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Cuckmere Valley.

It serves as a waypoint for many walking routes across the South Downs, attracting visitors interested in both natural beauty and historical landmarks.

At the peak of Hindover Hill, a free car park is located along Alfriston Road, with a short footpath leading down to the White Horse.

Historian Rodney Castleden suggests that Hindover Hill was once home to a giant figure similar to the Long Man of Wilmington, which has since disappeared.

[44] Jacqueline Simpson supports this theory, noting that until the early 19th century, the figures on Hindover Hill and Wilmington were collectively referred to as "Adam and Eve.

"[45] Further context is provided by Philip Carr-Gomm, who recounts tales of a tall female giant, described as a goddess, believed to have been carved into the chalk on Hindover Hill.

[48] A. H. Allcroft summarised various accounts of the figure, noting: "Men who were schoolboys in the 1860s recollect it well enough, though it is now so vanished that learned folks refuse to believe it.

It is likely that if the figure did exist and was ever maintained, upkeep ceased around the same time the first Litlington White Horse was stopped being scored in the late 19th century.

During the late 1920s and 30s, there were accounts of a large letter "S" and an irregular shape resembling a lion's head cut into the chalk below the current white horse.

[28] Another story suggests that the hill figure originally depicted a dog, carved by a grieving boy to mark the grave of his pet, which had been killed either alongside or in the River Cuckmere below.