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As horses are quite an important piece of everyday life in Rohan, they should also be included
in RP. However, horses, or role-playing them, might not be familiar to everyone. In the following
is presented some general information regarding the role-play of horses that can help to facilitate
horse RP. More information about the role of horses in the Rohirrim culture and the horses themselves
can be found in the Horses section of the website.
Descriptions
Tolkien wrote that the Rohirric horse was of 'great stature', and while this likely means
that the Rohirric horse is generally a fair-sized horse, too large horses have certain
disadvantages, so it is unlikely that Tolkien intended them as abnornally large compared to RL
breeds -- of which few have an average height of above 16-17 hands (measured at the whithers; one
hand being equal to 10 cm or 4 inches). Also, historically horses tended to be a fair bit smaller,
even the knights rode horses which were around 14-15 hands before proper breeding programs were
started. It seems likely that most Rohirric horses are in the range between 16-17 hands, though as
the population might be fairly varied and we must count on influences from both smaller horses like
mountain ponies and such and maybe also from the surely larger Mearas, we can probably assume that
anything from 15-18 hands (150-180 cm) is possible.
And just as there would be plenty of variation in regard to size, the same is probably true
for build. Though most would have a elegant and not too heavy build, and quite likely well-arched
necks and highly carried tails there would be room for differences. Some would be lighter and
sleeker, born to run fast and be highly mobile, others would be more compact and powerful, able to
carry more heavily armed men and be useful for impressive charges. Some suggestions for RL breeds to
look at for inspiration could include Arabians (though these are likely much lighter than what Tolkien
envsioned, having developed in a desert climate) or Andalusians (which might be a touch on the heavy side, but
certainly could fit the general idea).
Both these RL breeds also produce a very large number of grey horses -- and it seems certain
that grey (or white) was the most common colours for the Rohirric horse -- followed by chestnuts,
bays and blacks, which also could fit on the Rohirric horse. However, it is not implausible that
other colours can exist within the Rohirric horse population; in many RL breeds the lack of
variation in regard to colours is due to us humans breeding selectively for solid colours, having
for a long time seen these as more elegant than the 'mixed' colours such as duns, roans and
piebalds. Something else to remember when descing your horse is that many horses have (sometimes
quite striking) white markings on their legs (white socks or pasterns, for example) head (perhaps a
star or a blaze) which are important for identifying a specific horse.
Role-playing hints
As horses are such an integral part of the Rohirric culture it is of course nice if this is
reflected in our RP, whenever possible. And just as it helps RP to have a well-developed personality
for your character, the same is true when it comes to your horse. So, try to develop your horse
some, and give it little quirks you can use to enhance RP. Perhaps its lazy and laidback, or very
nervous and bad-tempered, and perhaps it will do anything for carrots -- or even ale, and maybe it
can't stand bay horses, or blond women. Horses aren't dumb beasts without likes and dislikes, so do
try and give yours a bit of depth.
Ideas for what to do with your horse, even if you're not one of the horse specialists they
can actually be used to create RP, include things like having your horse escape from the stable
(together with a bunch of friends perhap.), getting sick or lame during a long ride or an important
patrol (in fact, patrols always give you a chance to RP a bit of horsecare, if you care to),
developing a sudden dislike for another horse, or a human, maybe even kicking the wrong horse/person
and starting a minor feud. For those who want to use their horses a bit more there are
possibilities, it is just, as usual, about being creative.
Of course, it is important to consider what is within the range of what is natural for a
horse, because beneath all the training and domestication the 'true' horse still exists, and it will
shine through at certain times. Horses know they are essentially -prey-, and they will to a certain
degree obey their instincts. Training, and a trusted rider can minimize the effects, but you should
let them show when you RP your horse. Fire for example is an enemy all animals know and fear, so
while a trained horse, held or ridden by someone it trusts, will probably still obey, it will be
affected and even the calmest and best-trained horse will probably react to sudden sounds or
movements which it cannot identify as safe immediately. That is especially true for anything
approaching the horse from behind or above, as that is what a predator would do.
And as for the various creatures a horse in Middle-Earth might encounter, it would undoubtedly
recognize most of them as dangerous, not the least because they smell of meat-eating predator.
However, as has been noted before, a horse with its trusted rider or someone to calm it nearby wont
bolt just like that, though it will most likely show signs of nervousity. It would run if it could,
but as long as their rider, for example in a fight against orcs, keeps calm, it will obey. But,
horses are extremely sensetive to moods, so if you are angry or afraid, expect it to affect your
horse. To sum up: You can make a horse charge against orcs, and most likely trolls too. Wargs
frighten horses, and if an eagle sweeps down I believe they would be pretty startled. And Nazguls
well, if you stay on you did a good job. Nazgul's emit terror, and it will affect the horses as
much as it affects us, if not more.
Finally, some words about using horses in combat RP. Horses can be trained to attack, or at
least kick and rear on command, but they're not predators, and can't be expected to fight with their
riders in the same way that say, a warg, might. They will defend themselves, and its rider, but a
mentally sound horse won't chase after someone to try and kill him/her/it.
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