Horses
Notable Horse and Pony Breeds

Notable Horse and Pony Breeds

from Addison’s Guide to Sports and Games

Many of the notable horse breeds in Damensea come from Calatini’s Golddell duchy due to their centuries-long association with the horse-like nightmara. Most in Golddell are horse-mad, so riding and breeding horses are major pastimes there, and they often tend to their horses themselves. They are also extremely proud of their horse breeds, considering them the best rides in Damensea other than nightmara or perhaps other horse-like magical creatures. However, people from Golddell are understandably proud since Golddell horses are invariably energetic, intelligent, hardy, and versatile.

Here are the notable horse and pony breeds in Damensea:

Tsarkan Horses

Bred in the vast Tsarkan Empire, Tsarkan horses are elegant horses with wedge-shaped heads, dished profiles, arched necks, short backs, and high-carried tails. Originally desert horses, they possess endurance and require less water than other horses. Clever and spirited, they are quick learners and can form close bonds with humans; however, some (particularly those from Golddell) consider them overly sensitive.

Mara Ponies

Bred in Golddell by the mara clans to pull their caravans, mara ponies are sturdy and compact, requiring sparse grazing and rarely need stabling or shoeing. The largest breed of pony, mara ponies have great stamina and can carry more weight than most ponies. They’re intelligent yet kind and even-tempered, so they’re excellent for young or inexperienced riders.

Agyle Horses

Bred in Golddell for calvary use, agyle horses are refined and agile horses with a smooth yet energetic gait that makes appear to be dancing. They’re strongly built yet compact with an arched neck and low-set flowing tails. Agyle horses are intelligent and spirited yet still docile, responsive, and cooperative, so they’re generally easy to ride, but they do best with consistent handling.

Wylde Horses

Bred in Golddell from once-feral horses, wylde horses are rugged and wild horses that possess exceptional surefootedness, speed, and stamina. They’re stocky, muscular, and compact with low-set tails. Known for their strong herd bonds, wylde horses are intelligent, curious, independent, and adaptable as well as strong, so they are best ridden by strong and experienced riders.

Midshire Horses

Bred in Childes as draft horses from the great horses of knights, midshire horses are massive horses with gentle temperaments and enormous capacities for pulling weight. They have long necks, wide shoulders, muscular hindquarters, short backs as well as long, thick, silky hair covering their lower legs (feathers.) Intelligent, eager to please, and hard-working, midshire horses are easy to train and manage, but they do require a lot of food, huge stalls, and careful grooming of their leg feathers.

Orandian Horses

Bred on the magical isle of Orandia, Orandian horses are compact and placid horses with heavy coats. Athletic and friendly, they are rugged, long-lived, and rarely fall ill, but those who leave Orandia cannot return, and outside breeds are not permitted on the isle. In addition to the three usual gaits (walk, trot, canter/gallop), Orandian horses have two unique gaits: the floating gait and the flying gallop. The floating gait is incredibly smooth and can be performed at various speeds, while the flying gallop is extremely fast and often used for racing.

Real World Inspirations

(Although I take liberties with coloring.)