Difference between revisions of "Horse"

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==Types of Horse==
 
==Types of Horse==
  
* '''Destrier''', Destriers are tall, strong, splendid animals and are often high spirited. Destriers give knights a majestic air at tournaments. They are normally the most valuable type of horse, being well bred and highly trained. Some even consider them too valuable to risk in war thus the courser is the preferred mount for fighting. <!-- Jaime rode one when he was captured by Robb Stark's forces, but that must be considered an eccentricity of the showy young man, much like his golden armor -->
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* '''Destrier''' - destriers are tall, strong, splendid animals and are often high spirited. Destriers give knights a majestic air at tournaments. They are normally the most valuable type of horse, being well bred and highly trained. Some even consider them too valuable to risk in war thus the courser is the preferred mount for fighting. <!-- Jaime rode one when he was captured by Robb Stark's forces, but that must be considered an eccentricity of the showy young man, much like his golden armor -->
* '''Courser''', Lighter than a destrier and less costly, coursers are still beautiful animals. Coursers are also strong and fast. <!--Tommen had one, Lord Beric mentioned that the Brotherhood's enemies often had them-->
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* '''Courser''' - lighter than destriers and less costly, coursers are still beautiful animals. Coursers are also strong and fast, fit for war and for hunting. <!--Tommen had one, Lord Beric mentioned that the Brotherhood's enemies often had them-->
 
* '''Garron''' - North of the Wall, Garrons are the only reasonable choice of horse (although other, rarer horselike animals might perhaps exist).  Both the Night Watch and its enemies use them in considerable numbers, both for riding and carrying cargo.  Among horses, garrons are notable for their capability to deal with irregular terrain and cold temperatures.
 
* '''Garron''' - North of the Wall, Garrons are the only reasonable choice of horse (although other, rarer horselike animals might perhaps exist).  Both the Night Watch and its enemies use them in considerable numbers, both for riding and carrying cargo.  Among horses, garrons are notable for their capability to deal with irregular terrain and cold temperatures.
* '''Rounsey''', Lowest of all is the rounsey, a strong and capable steed of no particular breeding. Although rounseys are perfectly capable war horses, they are relegated to hedge knights, squires, and non-knightly men-at-arms. Rounsey are common riding horses and may also be used as pack animals. <!-- Brienne runs into someone riding a piebald rounsey -->
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* '''Rounsey''' - least distinguished of all is the rounsey, a strong and capable steed of no particular breeding. Although rounseys are perfectly capable war horses, they are relegated to hedge knights, squires, and non-knightly men-at-arms. Rounsey are common riding horses and may also be used as pack animals. <!-- Brienne runs into someone riding a piebald rounsey -->
* '''[[Dornish sand steed|Sand Steed]]''' smaller than normal warhorses and cannot bear the weight of the armor a warhorse usually wears. They are able to run for a day and a half before tiring
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* '''[[Dornish sand steed|Sand Steed]]''' - common in [[Dorne]], it is smaller than normal warhorses and cannot bear the weight of the armor a warhorse usually wears. They are able to run for a day and a half before tiring.
 
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* '''Palfrey''' - the distinguising characteristic of a palfrey is its [w:ambling] capability, which makes it a more comfortable horse for long journeys.  A well-bred palfrey may be as expensive as a destrier. 
 
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* '''Stot''' - "stotting" is a jumping gait, so presumably stots are particularly agile, acrobatic horses.
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* '''Pony''' - a horse that is noticeably small even when fully grown.  Useful as children's mount, for driving charts and for carrying cargo and even riding (for riders of compatible size, of course).  Ponys are not inherently less athletic or less capable than ordinary horses.
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* '''Mule''' - the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse.  Usually infertile, although it is possible for female mules to breed.  Valued for their endurance and versatility for non-combat tasks.  Mules are excellent working animals and may even be ridden, although they are not meant for combat.
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*[[Armament]]
 
*[[Armament]]
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==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_in_the_Middle_Ages Wikipedia article: ''Horses in the Middle Ages]
  
 
[[Category:Animals]]
 
[[Category:Animals]]
 
[[Category:Horses]]
 
[[Category:Horses]]
 
[[fr:Cheval]]
 
[[fr:Cheval]]

Revision as of 10:35, 4 January 2012

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For the Night's Watch member, see Hareth (Mole's Town).

Horses are four-legged mammals, employed in Westeros for much the same purposes as in the real world - transportation, combat, and as a patrimonial resource and symbol of status.

A classification employed by the A Game of Thrones tabletop RPG divides horses in nine types: Coursers, Destriers, Garrons, Palfreys, Rounseys, Stots, Ponys, Mules, and Sand Steeds. Available evidence suggests that for the most part those types correspond exactly to their real-world counterparts, with the exception of Dornish Sand Steeds, which are an original creation.

Horses are highly valued by most cultures in both Westeros and Essos. Dothraki measure wealth largely by the possession of horses, and spend most of their lives riding them. In Westeros, a Knight is expected to have at least one horse and to keep it battle-ready at all times. Even in the North, were strictly speaking Knights are rare, horses are valued and employed in much the same way as in the rest of Westeros. That is even true of the lands beyond the Wall, although there Garrons are the only kind of horse that may be used effectivelly in those lands.

Types of Horse

  • Destrier - destriers are tall, strong, splendid animals and are often high spirited. Destriers give knights a majestic air at tournaments. They are normally the most valuable type of horse, being well bred and highly trained. Some even consider them too valuable to risk in war thus the courser is the preferred mount for fighting.
  • Courser - lighter than destriers and less costly, coursers are still beautiful animals. Coursers are also strong and fast, fit for war and for hunting.
  • Garron - North of the Wall, Garrons are the only reasonable choice of horse (although other, rarer horselike animals might perhaps exist). Both the Night Watch and its enemies use them in considerable numbers, both for riding and carrying cargo. Among horses, garrons are notable for their capability to deal with irregular terrain and cold temperatures.
  • Rounsey - least distinguished of all is the rounsey, a strong and capable steed of no particular breeding. Although rounseys are perfectly capable war horses, they are relegated to hedge knights, squires, and non-knightly men-at-arms. Rounsey are common riding horses and may also be used as pack animals.
  • Sand Steed - common in Dorne, it is smaller than normal warhorses and cannot bear the weight of the armor a warhorse usually wears. They are able to run for a day and a half before tiring.
  • Palfrey - the distinguising characteristic of a palfrey is its [w:ambling] capability, which makes it a more comfortable horse for long journeys. A well-bred palfrey may be as expensive as a destrier.
  • Stot - "stotting" is a jumping gait, so presumably stots are particularly agile, acrobatic horses.
  • Pony - a horse that is noticeably small even when fully grown. Useful as children's mount, for driving charts and for carrying cargo and even riding (for riders of compatible size, of course). Ponys are not inherently less athletic or less capable than ordinary horses.
  • Mule - the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Usually infertile, although it is possible for female mules to breed. Valued for their endurance and versatility for non-combat tasks. Mules are excellent working animals and may even be ridden, although they are not meant for combat.

See also

References and Notes