Difference between revisions of "Horse (wild)"

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| species = [[Hoofed Mammal|hoofed mammal]]
 
| species = [[Hoofed Mammal|hoofed mammal]]
 
| noapp = 5–30
 
| noapp = 5–30
| behaviour = herd
+
| behaviour = [[Herd Behaviour|herd]]
 
| range = [[Barrens (range)|barrens]], [[Desert (range)|desert]], [[Steppe (range)|steppe]]
 
| range = [[Barrens (range)|barrens]], [[Desert (range)|desert]], [[Steppe (range)|steppe]]
 
| size = 14–17 hands at the withers
 
| size = 14–17 hands at the withers
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| HD = 2
 
| HD = 2
 
| AP = 6
 
| AP = 6
 +
| stride = 17
 
| THAC0 = 20
 
| THAC0 = 20
 
| hpdie = d4+d6
 
| hpdie = d4+d6
| attack = '''1:''' bite
+
| attack = '''1''': bite; or '''2''': [[Hoof (attack)|hoof]]
| dmg = 1–3
+
| dmg = bite (1–3); hoof (1-8)
| special = [[Back Kick|back kick]]
+
| special = [[Back Kick (attack)|back kick]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Wild Horses''', more accurately called '''feral''', as they are free-roaming horses of domesticated stock, rather than a wild [[Animal|animal]] in the true sense of the wordThese have descended from domestic horses that strayed, escaped or were deliberately released into the wild, remaining to survive and reproduce there.  Over time, these animals' behaviour came to resemble wildness.
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'''Wild Horses''', more accurately described as "feral," are free-roaming descendants of domesticated stock rather than true wild animalsThey originate from domestic horses that either wandered off, escaped, or were intentionally set free in the wild, where they adapted to survive and reproduce.  Over time, their behavior has taken on traits reminiscent of true wild animals.
  
 
[[File:Wild Horse.jpg|left|420px|thumb]]
 
[[File:Wild Horse.jpg|left|420px|thumb]]
Feral horses live in groups called a herd, usually made up of small harems led by a dominant mare, containing additional mares, their foals, and immature horses of both sexes.  There is usually one herd stallion, though less dominant males may remain with the group.  Horses have a well-developed fight-or-flight response.  Their first reaction to a threat is often to flee, although sometimes they stand their ground and defend themselves or their offspring in cases where flight is untenable, such as when a foal is threatened.
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Feral horses typically form groups known as herds.  These are usually composed of small harems led by a dominant mare.  Within the herd are found additional mares, their foals and young horses of both sexes.  Typically there's one dominant stallion, with less dominant males also present.
  
There are several infamous populations of free-ranging feral horses, such as in Iberia, southern Russia, the Americas or Turkestan.  
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Horses possess a well-developed fight-or-flight response. When confronted with a threat, their initial instinct is often to flee. However, in situations where flight isn't an option, such as when protecting their foals, they may choose to stand their ground and defend themselves or their offspring.
These are carefully managed by druids, though some gleaning from the herds is permitted at during the late spring.  Permission is usually asked, of [[Forestal|forestals]] directly or of local nobility or chieftains. Other smaller, less protected herds occur in many places.  Handled appropriately, horses may be "cut out" from a herd, lassoed so that they can't kick a trained horse-rider and readied for [[Domesticate Horses (sage ability)|domestication]].
 
  
== Defenses ==
+
Several renowned populations of free-roaming feral horses exist in regions like Iberia, southern Russia, the Americas and Turkestan.  These populations are carefully managed by druids, although limited gathering from the herds is allowed during late spring.
Wild horses will often wait for a threat to come quite near, so that at the proper moment they can turn and deliver a strong '''back kick'''.  This consists of '''two attacks, at 1-8 damage each''', followed by flight if practical or turning on the enemy while urging the foal vocally to runThereafter the horse will fight with its bite until it is taken down, sacrificing itself for its young.
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 +
Permission for such activities is typically sought from [[Forestal|forestals]] directly or from local nobility or chieftains.  Smaller, less-protected herds can be found in various locations.  When handled appropriately, horses can be separated from a herd, lassoed to prevent them from kicking or resisting, and prepared for [[Domesticate Horses (sage ability)|domestication]] by skilled horse-riders.
 +
 
 +
== Advantages ==
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Horses, unless threatened, are more like to bite when approached closely.  If they feel threatened, and unable to take flight, they will rear to attack.  This is a verticle stance where the horse stands on its hind legs, lifting its '''hooves''' and striking out to kick, before settling back on all four hooves again.  The horse is like to strike at the same target 3 times in 4, but may attack two close enough targets otherwise.
 +
 
 +
Wild horses also employ a defensive strategy where they wait for a threat to approach closely, before executing a potent maneuver known as a "'''back kick'''." This "double-barreled kick" is a natural and instinctive behaviour, executed with remarkable speed and forceBoth hooves always strike at the same target.
  
  
 
See [[Bestiary]]
 
See [[Bestiary]]
 
[[Category: Protective Intelligence]]
 

Latest revision as of 21:38, 2 November 2023

Wild Horse
Species hoofed mammal
No. Appearing 5–30
Behaviour herd
Range barrens, desert, steppe
Size 14–17 hands at the withers
Weight 800–1,100 lbs.
Intelligence 3
Armour Class 7
Hit Dice 2
Action Points 6
Max. Stride 17
THAC0 20
Hp/Die d4+d6
Attack Forms 1: bite; or 2: hoof
Damage bite (1–3); hoof (1-8)
Special Attacks back kick

Wild Horses, more accurately described as "feral," are free-roaming descendants of domesticated stock rather than true wild animals. They originate from domestic horses that either wandered off, escaped, or were intentionally set free in the wild, where they adapted to survive and reproduce. Over time, their behavior has taken on traits reminiscent of true wild animals.

Wild Horse.jpg

Feral horses typically form groups known as herds. These are usually composed of small harems led by a dominant mare. Within the herd are found additional mares, their foals and young horses of both sexes. Typically there's one dominant stallion, with less dominant males also present.

Horses possess a well-developed fight-or-flight response. When confronted with a threat, their initial instinct is often to flee. However, in situations where flight isn't an option, such as when protecting their foals, they may choose to stand their ground and defend themselves or their offspring.

Several renowned populations of free-roaming feral horses exist in regions like Iberia, southern Russia, the Americas and Turkestan. These populations are carefully managed by druids, although limited gathering from the herds is allowed during late spring.

Permission for such activities is typically sought from forestals directly or from local nobility or chieftains. Smaller, less-protected herds can be found in various locations. When handled appropriately, horses can be separated from a herd, lassoed to prevent them from kicking or resisting, and prepared for domestication by skilled horse-riders.

Advantages

Horses, unless threatened, are more like to bite when approached closely. If they feel threatened, and unable to take flight, they will rear to attack. This is a verticle stance where the horse stands on its hind legs, lifting its hooves and striking out to kick, before settling back on all four hooves again. The horse is like to strike at the same target 3 times in 4, but may attack two close enough targets otherwise.

Wild horses also employ a defensive strategy where they wait for a threat to approach closely, before executing a potent maneuver known as a "back kick." This "double-barreled kick" is a natural and instinctive behaviour, executed with remarkable speed and force. Both hooves always strike at the same target.


See Bestiary