Horse Handling II (sage ability)

Horse handling II is an authority-status sage ability within the study of Horseback Riding, signifying a rider’s advanced ability to manage and direct a horse with efficiency and precision. This level of expertise allows the rider to seamlessly transition between gaits, maintaining control over the animal with minimal effort.

The character is capable of executing complex maneuvers fluidly, using subtle shifts in posture, balance, and leg pressure rather than relying solely on reins. A horse under such a rider’s command responds quickly to cues, requiring less movement adjustment and affording the rider greater freedom to engage in other actions. With this skill, the character expends fewer action points (AP) and experiences reduced movement penalties, improving both mobility and combat effectiveness when mounted.

Riding

A character with this ability can initiate movement from a standstill or shift between gaits with remarkable efficiency. While an untrained or novice rider may struggle to guide their horse without careful concentration, an authority in horse handling requires only 1 AP to alter speed, whether from a walk to a trot, a trot to a canter, or a canter to a gallop. This allows a horse to reach full speed in just 4 AP, meaning that in less than one round, a stationary horse can be urged into a full gallop.

Prolonged trotting places strain on the horse, and an experienced rider understands the importance of pacing to avoid exhaustion. A warhorse can sustain a trotting gait for up to three hours, while a riding horse may continue for four. Beyond these limits, the animal requires at least an hour of walking to prevent muscle stiffness and potential trauma. Ignoring this necessary recovery period may result in the horse becoming unresponsive, reducing its effectiveness for a full day. A knowledgeable rider monitors these endurance thresholds carefully, ensuring that their horse remains in peak condition over long distances.

A superior level of horsemanship not only enhances movement but also grants greater control during combat or high-stakes riding. Riders with authority-level training can adjust their horse’s direction more easily, reducing the AP costs associated with maneuvering. These adjusted movement costs reflect the rider’s ability to subtly shift the horse’s momentum and balance without excessive correction or interference:

• From a standing position: The rider may direct the horse forward, 60° or 120° to the left or right, at no additional AP cost. Executing a full 180° pivot upon the horse’s hindquarters requires only 1 AP.

• From a walking gait: The horse may continue forward or turn 60° left or right freely. A 120° turn costs 1 AP, while a full pivot on the hindquarters requires 2 AP.

• From a trotting gait: The rider may proceed forward or turn 60° left or right without cost. A 120° turn requires 1 AP. However, executing a full pivot at this speed is impossible without slowing or stopping first.

• From a cantering gait: Similar to trotting, but with a 60° turn costing 1 AP and a 120º turn costing 2 AP.

• From a galloping gait: Turns at 60° cost 1 AP, while 120º turns cannot be executed at this speed.

In situations where the horse is encumbered beyond 50% of its carrying capacity, endurance is affected. When trotting under such weight, the time limit before the horse must rest is reduced by one hour. This adjustment accounts for the additional strain placed on the animal, requiring a more careful balance of speed, load and recovery to maintain peak performance.

Employing Complex Gaits

The character possesses a refined understanding of horse movement, allowing for expert control over both slow and fast-paced riding. This includes proficiency in managing a horse pulling a carriage at speed and an adept familiarity with various ambling gaits, which provide a smoother, less jarring ride than traditional movement patterns. With this expertise, the rider is able to shift seamlessly between different gaits based on terrain, the horse’s condition, and the need for either endurance or speed.

Ambling gaits such as the singlefoot and the fox trot offer alternative methods of travel that provide comfort and efficiency over long distances. A horse can maintain a singlefoot gait for up to two hours before requiring rest, while the fox trot — being more taxing — can only be sustained for one hour. If the rider employs these gaits for half their maximum duration or less, the horse need only be walked and cooled down for 30 minutes before continuing. However, if ridden for the full duration, the horse must be walked for a complete hour before it can safely be urged into another gait. This cooldown period must take place on relatively even ground to ensure the horse recovers properly.

A slow pace, distinct from trotting, allows the horse to cover ground efficiently while expending less energy. Like trotting, a warhorse can maintain a slow pace for up to three hours, while a riding horse can sustain it for four. Unlike trotting, however, a slow pace does not incur endurance penalties due to encumbrance, making it an ideal movement method when carrying heavy loads or riders in full armor. Horses specifically trained as "trotters," however, are limited to a single hour at this pace before requiring rest. Conversely, a "pacer" moving at a trot experiences only a slight reduction in endurance, with the duration limited to two hours for a warhorse and three hours for a riding horse.

A fast pace, designed for bursts of speed, can be maintained for approximately 30 minutes when traveling over flat, even ground. However, attempting to sustain this gait on rough or uneven terrain puts the horse at significant risk of injury, making it inadvisable except in the direst circumstances. The rider must carefully gauge when and where to use a fast pace, as overexertion may lead to long-term consequences for both the horse’s health and the journey ahead.

See also,
Animal Training (sage field)
Charging
Horse Handling I (sage ability)