A knight atop a magnificent warhorse - by Antonio José Manzanedo; ©Fantasy Flight Games
A charger - by Carolina Eade; ©Fantasy Flight Games
A garron of High Rock - by Zach Graves; ©Fantasy Flight Games
A courser of Skyrim - by Dimitri Bielak; ©Fantasy Flight Games
Horses are four-legged mammals of the known world. They are used for transportation, combat, as a patrimonial resource, and as a symbol of status.
Types of Horses[]
Classification by Breed and Use[]
- Destriers are tall, strong, splendid animals, often high spirited. Destriers give knights a majestic air at tourneys. They are normally the most valuable type of horse, being well bred and highly trained but quite expensive. Destriers can founder in snow.
- Coursers are smaller than destriers but faster, fit for war and for hunting. Warhorses are usually coursers, although they may in rare occasions be destriers. The expected mount of knights and nobility when they find themselves in combat or jousting situations.
- Chargers are warhorses used on campaign and in tourneys.
- 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. Even royalty and high nobility will often be seen riding palfreys, although they are not meant for combat or jousting.
- 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. The Nords are fond of garrons in their cold home of Skyrim.
- Rounceys are strong and capable steeds of no particular breeding. Although rounceys are capable war horses, they are relegated to hedge knights, squires, and non-knightly men-at-arms. Rounceys are common riding horses and may also be used as pack animals.
- Stots are inferior horses.
- Ponies are noticeably small even when fully grown. They are useful for driving charts, for carrying cargo, and as mounts for smaller riders.
- Mules 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.
- 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.
By Reproductive Capability[]
- Geldings are castrated horses of any breed or purpose. Castration is useful for making the horse less hormonal and supposedly easier to deal with.
- Mares are a female horse of any breed or purpose. A young mare is known as a filly.
- Stallions are 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 behaviour more aggressive.
Culture[]
Horses are highly valued by most cultures in Tamriel. In feudal societies, a knight is expected to be able to afford armour and a warhorse.
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