Warhorse

Type	Light	Medium	Heavy
Species	hoofed mammal
No. Appearing	1	1	1
Behaviour	domesticated
Range	rural, urban
Size at the withers	14-16 hands	15-17 hands	16-18 hands
Weight	1,000-1,300 lbs.	1,300-1,700 lbs.	1,700-2,000 lbs.
Intelligence	2	2	2
Armour Class	7	7	7
Hit Dice	2+2	3+3	4+4
Action Points	6	6	5
Max. Stride	17	16	14
THAC0	20	19	18
Hp/Die	d4+d6 or d12	d12	d12 or 2d6
Attack Form	front hooves & bite
Damage	1-6/1-6 & 1-3	1-8/1-6 & 1-3	1-8/1-8 & 1-4
Special Attack	back kick

Warhorses are working animals trained to endure the strain of cavalry tactics used in war. In early history they were used to draw chariots, but that weapon of war has become obsolete. The present-day effectiveness of the horse is made possible by the saddle and the stirrup. Additionally, warhorses are trained to be controlled with limited use of the reins, responding primarily to the rider's legs and weight. The horse becomes accustomed to any necessary tack and protection, or barding, placed upon it. The horse also learns to balance under a rider who is laden with weapons and armour. Developing the balance and agility of the horse is crucial.

The origins of the discipline of dressage comes from the need to train warhorses to be obedient and manoeuvrable. The horse was trained to rear at the moment of obtaining initiative, so that the rider could use the horse to strike with its front hooves in combat. Horses were also given free rein to bite, so that the rider and horse could act as combatants together.

Types

Light warhorses are favoured for speed, endurance and agility, which is best for raiding, moving through dense growth or scouting the location of the enemy. These horses tend to be long-legged, slim in build and more physically refined; they also tend to be more "hot blooded" than larger horses, allowing them to be athletic, versatile and to learn quickly. Their pedigree rose out of western Asia, where they were adapted to hot, dry climates. Desert warhorses are rarely anything but light. Well known breeds are barb, Turkomen, Arabian and Andalusian.

Medium warhorses are stronger, capable of holding a third full-grown human rider if needed, and to carry riders with scale mail or heavier armour. They are generally quite agile in combat, but do not possess the raw speed and endurance of a lighter horse. Breeds became known as destriers, the most prized, coursers and rounceys. Generally, these three types of horse were referred to as chargers. They are usually stallions, with powerful hindquarters, with a short back and well-muscled loin, strong bone and a well-arched neck.

Heavy warhorses, or "great horses," are used by the heaviest-armoured knights, generally those wearing plate mail or plate armour. These were surprisingly agile for their size and physically able to press the weight of the cavalry in battle. Chests are wide and deep, with the croup long and level. The feet and legs are clean and heavily muscled. They are considered easy keepers and adapt well to many conditions and climates. Breeds include the Percheron and Boulonnais.

Sage Study & Abilities

Extensive knowledge about horses is available through horseback riding. Management of warhorses includes teaching the rider how to handle the warhorse and use it to engage in combat — including the use of a bow from horseback. Warhorse training enables characters to give basic training to young horses, raising them to be warhorses.

See Bestiary