Horse

Horse

(Creature)

2E1E

Common

N

Animal

Level

Varies

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Images of horses

Source: Bestiary, pg(s). 209

Type

Animal

CR

½ to 2

Environment

Temperate plains

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Images of horses

Source: Bestiary, pg(s). 177

Horse is the generic name given to any of the quadrupedal equine animal species found domesticated throughout Golarion. They vary greatly in size and weight, all the way from the miniature pony to the great war destriers found in cavalry companies.

Breeds

Horses appear in heraldic devices, such as the flag of Hongal.

Alain, in full mounted glory on his steed Donahan, battles orcs.

Hongali horse

Horses from the northern Tian Xia country of Hongal, simply called Hongali horses, are a light horse variety that may be trained for combat. These horses are famous even outside Hongal for their toughness.

Chiardmar

These wild horses are found only in the hills of Nidal and bred in the Atteran Ranches. They are famous for their speed and grace, and are used by Nidalese couriers and traveling agents of the Umbral Court.

Dort charger

The favorite sturdy warhorses of the crusaders of Lastwall.

Fell pony

Fell ponies are bred in the county of Amaans in Ustalav. They have dark brown fur and are noted for their surefootedness.

Lastwall jasper

These brown-and-white horses are prized for their impressive water-faring capabilities. They are named after the famed horse Jasper of the city of Vigil.

Nidarrmar

These dark horses are strong and disciplined like the people of the Atteran Ranches in Nidal where they are bred.

Taldor jennet

Despite their slimmer frame, Taldor jennets are good in battle and remarkably intelligent.

Horse cultures

As useful creatures in farming, travel, trade, and warfare, numerous present-day cultures have created special places for horses in their societies. These include the Keleshite nomads of Casmaron's north-central steppes who raid far-eastern Taldor, the Shoanti of the Storval Plateau (especially those of the Sun Clan), and the horse ranchers of Lastwall.

Historical horse cultures

Horses were also central to numerous historical cultures throughout Golarion's history. The earliest known example of human–horse partnership were the ancient horselords of Nidal, who roamed that part of Avistan during the Age of Legend.

In religion

General Susumu's religious symbol features a winged horse.

Being such an important part of many cultures throughout the world, it is unsurprising that the horse is considered sacred by a number of deities and their followers.

Among these are Alazhra, the patron god of night hags (who travel on the horse-like nightmares); Kurgess, the Strong Man; Emmeton Galardaria, for whom the pony is sacred; the daemonic harbinger Geon; the dwarven god Grundinnar; the empyreal lords Marishi and Sinashakti; the Apocalypse Riders; and the infernal duke Eligos, known as the Winged Rider.

In Tian Xia, General Susumu is associated with horses and his religious symbol features a black, winged horse.

As civil officeholders

In Taldor, the horses of nobles have on occasion been appointed to political or civil offices, including:

• Katalon, appointed to the Taldan senate by Grand Prince Beldam I
• Comolaudio, exalted to the titles of baron and mayor of Oppara by Grand Prince Malixari II

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.