Editing Horse

{{For|the builder of the Night's Watch nicknamed Horse|Hareth (Mole's Town)}}
[[File:Manderly knight by manzanedo.jpg|thumb|350px|A [[House Manderly]] knight atop a magnificent warhorse, by Antonio José Manzanedo © Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''Horses''' are four-legged herbivorous mammals present throughout the [[known world]]. They are used for transportation, in combat, as a patrimonial resource, and as a symbol of status.

==Types of Horses==
{{See also|:Category:Images of horses|l1=Images of horses}}
===Classification by breed and use===
[[File:Storn Cook Highgarden Destrier.JPG|thumb|350px|[[Highgarden]] destrier, by Storn Cook © Fantasy Flight Games]]
*Destriers are tall, strong, splendid animals, often high-spirited. Destriers give [[knight]]s a majestic air at [[tourney]]s. They are normally the most valuable type of horse, being well bred and highly trained but quite expensive.{{Ref|ADWD|9}} Destriers can founder in snow.{{Ref|ADWD|41}}
*Coursers are smaller than destriers but faster,{{Ref|ASOS|47}} fit for war and for hunting. Warhorses are usually coursers, although they may in rare occasions be destriers.{{Refn|group="N"|name=Beric|[[Beric Dondarrion]] mentions "Too many of my men ride rounseys, drays, and mules against foes mounted on coursers and destriers."{{Ref|ASOS|39}}}} The expected mount of knights and nobility when they find themselves in combat or jousting situations.
[[File:Carolina-eade Andal Charger.JPG|thumb|350px|An [[Andal]] charger, by Carolina Eade © Fantasy Flight Games]]
*Chargers are warhorses used on campaign{{Ref|ASOS|38}} and in [[tourney]]s.{{Ref|AGOT|30}}{{Ref|ACOK|2}} Some armored nobles of [[Slaver's Bay]] ride chargers.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}
*Palfreys have an ambling capability which makes them a more comfortable mount for long riding journeys. A well-bred palfrey may be as expensive as a destrier.{{Fact}} Even royalty and high nobility will often be seen riding palfreys,{{Ref|aCoK|17}}{{Ref|aCoK|31}}{{Ref|aCoK|41}} although they are not meant for combat or jousting.
*[[Garron]]s are the only reasonable choice of horse [[beyond the Wall]]. Both the [[Night's Watch]] and the [[free folk]] 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. Under extreme cold, they fare better than palfreys and far better than destriers, which have considerably higher eating demands and are not particularly capable of dealing with snow.{{Ref|aDwD|41}}{{Ref|aDwD|42}}{{Ref|aDwD|62}} The [[northern mountain clans]] also favor the use of garrons and [[bear-paws]] to facilitate travel.{{Ref|ADWD|42}}
*Rounseys are strong and capable steeds of no particular breeding. Although rounseys are capable war horses, they are relegated to [[hedge knight]]s, squires, and non-knightly men-at-arms. Rounseys are common riding horses and may also be used as [[w:Packhorse|pack animals]].{{Refn|group="N"|name=Beric}}
*[[Sand steed]]s are common in [[Dorne]]. They are smaller than normal warhorses and cannot bear the weight of the armor (barding) that a warhorse usually wears. They are able to run for a day and a half before tiring.{{Ref|ASOS|38}}
*Stots are inferior horses.{{Ref|thk}} 
*[[Zorse]]s are a fierce black-and-white striped horse hybrid from [[Essos]].{{Ref|aGoT|30}} 
*Ponies are noticeably small even when fully grown. They are useful for driving charts, for carrying cargo, and as mounts for smaller riders.{{Ref|AGOT|1}}
*[[Mule]]s are the offspring of a male [[donkey]] and a female horse. They are usually infertile, although it is possible for female mules to breed. Mules are valued for their endurance and versatility for non-combat tasks. Mules are excellent working animals and may be ridden, although they are not meant for combat.{{Refn|group="N"|name=Beric}}
*Drays, also called plow horses, are strong horses meant for heavy tasks. They are not necessarily unfit for riding, although they will not be the best choice for combat situations.{{Ref|aSoS|11}}

===By reproductive capability===
[[File:Mareinheatbysmirtouilled9s4kzp.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Knight of Flowers]] riding a mare, by Smirtouille © Fantasy Flight Games]]
*A gelding is a castrated horse of any breed or purpose. Castration is useful for making the horse less hormonal and supposedly easier to deal with.
*A [[mare]] is a female horse of any breed or purpose. A young mare is known as a filly.
*A [[stallion]] is a non-castrated horse of any breed or purpose. The presence of testosterone may make stallions more physically impressive than otherwise comparable mares or geldings, but it also makes their behavior more aggressive.

==Culture==
Horses are highly valued by most cultures in [[Westeros]] and [[Essos]].

===Westeros===
In the [[Seven Kingdoms]], a [[knight]] is expected to be able to afford armor and a warhorse.{{Ref|SSM|1045}}

====North====
[[File:Dimitri Bielak Northern Courser.JPG|thumb|350px|A courser of the [[north]], by Dimitri Bielak © Fantasy Flight Games]]
While [[northern cavalry]] ride warhorses, the [[Northern mountain clans|hill clans]] prefer garrons.{{Ref|ADWD|41}}{{Ref|ADWD|42}}

====Beyond the Wall====
The [[Night's Watch]] and the [[free folk]] employ sure-footed little garrons [[beyond the Wall]].{{Ref|ACOK|68}}{{Ref|AFFC|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|58}} Some [[knight]]s ride destriers, although most [[ranger]]s prefer garrons.{{Ref|AGOT|0}}

====Dorne====
Dorne is famed by its valued [[sand steed]]s, beautiful and valued horses.{{Ref|ASOS|38}}

====Iron Islands====
[[File:Zach Graves Isle Garron.JPG|thumb|350px|A garron of the [[Iron Islands]], by Zach Graves © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Horses are barely used in the [[Iron Islands]], not only due to their basic island geography, but also because the isles are too sparse to provide them good grazing, and too rocky for easy travel even on the same island. Most ironborn are indifferent riders at best. The few horses that are encountered in the Iron Islands tend to be either garrons (bred to be sure-footed on rocky terrain) or "shaggy [[Harlaw]] ponies" (apparently bred to survive on meager grazing). Even drays are not as common as ox-pulled carts.{{Ref|ACOK|24}}

===Essos===
Horse archers are more common in [[Essos]] than in Westeros.{{Ref|SSM|1174}}

====Qohor====
The [[Qohor]]ik are said to sacrifice horses, bullocks, and calves to the [[Black Goat]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|8|2|3}}

====Volantis====
[[Volantis|Volantene]] [[chariot]]s are pulled by teams of four horses.{{Ref|TWOIAF|8|2|6}}

====Dothraki====
[[File:Khal drogo by reneaigner.jpg|thumb|[[Dothraki]], by Rene Aigner ©]]
The [[Dothraki]] measure wealth largely by the possession of horses, and spend most of their lives riding them. The horse is in the heart of the lives of Dothraki, who are sometimes called "[[horselord]]s". For Dothraki the horse is a mount and an inspiration for all craft. They worship a [[horse god]].{{Ref|AGOT|68}}

The nomadic lifestyle, as well as many cultural taboos are directly associated with the horse. The Dothraki fear the ocean, as their horses cannot drink salt water.{{Ref|AGOT|54}} Persons unable to ride are looked down upon in Dothraki culture, and riding capability is associated with social prestige.{{Ref|AGOT|68}}

At the death of a Dothraki, his horse is slaughtered and later sacrificed on the funeral pyre of his master.{{Ref|AGOT|64}} The Dothraki consume almost exclusively horse meat, which they prefer to beef and pork,{{Ref|agot|31}} and to it they attribute many properties, especially for pregnant women. They drink a low alcohol beverage derived from [[Fermented milk|fermented mare's milk]].{{Ref|agot|46}} The Dothraki consider boats to be wooden horses.{{Ref|AGOT|54}}

==History==
===Ancient History===
In antiquity, [[Dothraki sea|the grasslands]] of central [[Essos]] are said to have been populated by [[centaurs]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|8|3|5}} The [[Sarnori]] used [[chariot]]s pulled by blood red horses, but they were defeated by the [[Dothraki]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|8|3|5}}

Horses were first brought to [[Westeros]] by the [[First Men]], who traveled across the [[Arm of Dorne]].{{Ref|AGOT|66}} The First Men used horses and bronze weapons and armor against the [[children of the forest]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|7|9|1}} According to [[Old Nan]], the [[Others]] rode pale dead horses during the [[Long Night]].{{Ref|AGOT|24}}

===Targaryen Era===
The [[battle of the Trident]] was decided when Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and Lord [[Robert Baratheon]] met in single combat on horseback of their destriers, which was won by Robert when he crushed Rhaegar's chest with a blow of [[Robert's warhammer|his warhammer]].{{ref|AGOT|19}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
When [[Jaime Lannister]] attacks him in the streets of [[King's Landing]], Lord [[Eddard Stark]]'s leg is broken when his horse falls upon him.{{Ref|AGOT|35}}

During the [[battle on the Green Fork]], [[Tyrion Lannister]] uses the spike on his [[helmet]] to eviscerate a horse, which falls its rider, disabling him.{{Ref|AGOT|62}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Some [[knight]]s never name their horses. That way, when they die in battle, the grief is not so hard to bear. There are always more horses to be had, but it's hard to lose a faithful friend.{{Ref|TSS}}|[[Duncan the Tall]] to [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|Destriers were trained to kick and bite. In war they were a weapon, like the men who rode them.{{Ref|AFFC|31}}|thoughts of [[Brienne of Tarth]]}}

==See also==
*[[Armament]]
*[[Bestiary]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{References}}

==External links==
*{{WP|Horses in the Middle Ages}}

{{Animals}}

[[Category:Horses| ]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Transport]]

[[es:Caballo]]
[[fa:اسب]]
[[fr:Cheval]]
[[pt:Cavalo]]
[[zh:马]]