Wondrous Equipment Wednesday - Can you spare some horse equipment

Item	Cost	Size	Weight
Bit and Bridle	1-2 gp	Tiny	1 lb
Blinders	2 gp	Tiny	1 lb
Calvary Harness	10-12 gp	Small	4-5 lbs
Feed (per day)	5 cp	Medium	10 lbs
Heraldric Tabard	20-30  gp	Medium	5 lbs
Packsaddle	5-7 gp	Large	15 lbs
Packsaddle, Nomad’s	12-15 gp	Large	17-18 lbs
Saddle, common	2-4 gp	Medium	15 lbs
Saddle, archer’s	20 gp	Medium	25 lbs
Saddle, racing	10 gp	Medium	10-12 lbs
Saddles for Exotics	Add +30 gp	-	-
Saddles for Fliers	Add +45 gp	-	-
Saddlebags  (common)	3-4 gp	Medium	8-12 lbs
Stabling Fees, Average (per day)	5 sp	-	-
Stabling Fees, High Quality (per day)	2-3 gp	-	-
Stirrups	45 gp	Tiny	2-3 lbs (per pair)

Bit and Bridle: A bit fits between a mount’s teeth, allowing the rider to steer the beast by pulling on the reins and jerking the animals head in the direction of travel. Most bits are made of hard leather, wood or copper, though many wealthy knights consider it a point of pride to own a finely carved steel, silver or precious metal bit.

Blinders: Blinders fit tightly around a mount’s skull, limiting the creature’s peripheral vision, which helps the animal stay focused on the road ahead.

            When wearing blinders a mount suffers a –4 penalty on Perception and Initiative checks. In exchange, the mount receives a +2 equipment bonus on WILL Saves against fear and fear-based attacks. In addition, the mount’s rider receives a +2 circumstance bonus on Ride checks made to control the mount.

Calvary Harness: A Calvary Harness is consists of a hardened leather brace and straps which wind around a rider’s torso to keep him or her in the saddle, even if they are knocked unconscious or slain.

            A Calvary harness must be used with any type of saddle. It provides a +4 equipment bonus on Ride checks made to stay in the saddle. An unconscious rider has a 75% chance to remain horsed. Dismounting from a saddle equipped with a cavalry harness requires an additional full round action.    

Feed: Horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies can graze to sustain themselves, but providing feed for them is much better. Most feed is a mixture of gains, nuts and dried grass.

If you have a riding dog, you have to feed it at least some meat. Riding dog chow is typically jerked and salted meat, semi-rancid scraps and bones. Feed for larger, carnivorous creatures typically runs at least 1-2 gp per day. Truly exotic mounts with special diets might be even more difficult to feed.

Heraldic Tabard: A tabard is a long, blanket like garment which is draped over a horse. Tabards are usually fantastically colorful and finely stitched, with intricate coats of arms knitted, sewn or dyed into the fabric. A tabard can best be thought of as a ‘noble’s outfit’ for a horse or other mount.

Packsaddle: A pack saddle holds gear and supplies, but not a rider. The packsaddle is usually an arrangement of straps and buckles, holding several saddlebags and attachment points for carried gear. It holds as much gear as the mount can carry.

Packsaddle, Nomad’s: A nomad’s pack saddle is a superior version of a standard packsaddle, and draws upon the experience and wisdom of several races of horse nomads. Nomadic packsaddles are finely balanced, and comfortable for the mount to wear. Due to their superior ergonomics, gear placed in a nomadic packsaddle appears to weigh 25% less, for determining how much gear the mount can carry.

Saddle, common: Commoners usually purchase simple, undecorated leather saddles, which are designed to be relatively comfortable, but are not suited for hard riding or combat.

Saddle, archer’s: Combat saddles are designed to hold a soldier steady and secure in the saddle, and include additional mounting points for saddlebags and gear. Combat saddles include a stabilization hitch on the pommel, designed to accept the base of a longbow or the butt stock of a long rifle for greater accuracy when mounted.    

            When firing a ranged weapon from the saddle, typically a bow or cross bow, the penalties for firing from horseback are reduced by –1.

Saddle, racing: These light, but finely made leather saddles are designed for competitive riding and competition. The surface of the saddle is designed to hold the rider safely on horseback, and the innovative bridle system increases control over the mount.

A racing saddle grants the rider a +2 equipment bonus on Ride checks.

Saddles for Exotic Creatures: Most saddles are designed with the anatomies of horses and riding dogs in mind. However, those creatures are not the only options for mounted knights.

 Saddles for exotic creatures (those with odd proportions, additional limbs, or strange movement styles) cost more than a saddle for a mundane creature. Saddles for flying creatures are lightly built, incorporating simple aerodynamic design tricks to make them more useful to flying creatures. Flying saddles also incorporate intricate straps and locking mechanisms, designed to hold the rider in place safely during mid air acrobatics and dog-fighting.

Saddlebags: Saddlebags are simply leather, canvas, hide or cloth bags slung across a mount’s back and flanks.

Stabling Fees: Horses and other mounts can be stabled while travelling. Most inns offer their guests use of the stable out back, and many towns, particuarly those lying along important trade routes or with large garrisions, offer liveries which offer stabling, grooming and other services.

            Average stabling provides a roof over the mount’s head, often in a drafty barn or outbuilding, simple feed and the most basic of  basic grooming services. High quality stabling fees include more luxurious and comfortable conditions for the mount, as well as the attentions of dedicated groomers, squires and basic veterinary care.

            Stabling fees are priced with fairly typical mounts in mind: typically horses and riding dogs. Larger carnivores, such as riding lions, cost at least twice as much to board. More exotic creatures, such as those with special dietary needs or handling requirements cost more to care for, even if it is possible to find a stable willing to board a semi-tame dragon or paladin’s griffon. Some creatures, especially those with  reputation for violence or hostility might not be allowed to even set foot inside a stable.

Stirrups: Stirrups are an important innovation in mounted warfare, and are one of the most important inventions related to horsemanship. These specially designed, secure and proportioned stirrups grant the rider greater control and speed.

Any horse fitted with a set of stirrups has its base land speed increased by +10 ft tactically. This tactical speed increase does not affect the horse’s total daily ‘overland travel’ speed.