Writing Horses In Your WIP

Writing horses in your WIP

We see them all the time - horses in fiction. And there is so much to learn about them that it can be a little overwhelming! But I work with horses a lot so I thought I’d be able to help some of you guys out by going through the basics you’ll need for writing. (by the way, I only ride English style. If somebody wants to do something similar for Western riding, by all means, fire away.)

Horses and ponies - whats the difference?

It’s the height. Horses and ponies are measured in hands - 1 hand = approx 4 inches. A pony is anything below 14.2hh,(hands), a horse is anything taller. Any pony smaller than 14hh would really only be suitable for children. A stockier 14.2hh could hold teens or small adults, but most teens and adults would probably ride horses. 16hh would be an average size.

Stallions, mares and geldings.

A Mare is a female horse. They can be quite moody sometimes - which they show by being uncooperative and putting their ears back. A Stallion is a male horse that has not been castrated. They can be very, very strong willed, and are typically not suitable for the novice rider. A gelding is a male horse that has been gelded/castrated, They often have a more relaxed, placid nature. A colt is a young male, and a filly is a young female. 

Breaking

Training a horse under saddle is called ‘Breaking.’ A horse is typically broken around ¾ years of age, once it has finished growing. Breaking correctly is a long and patient process - not something that your character can do in a few minutes.

Gaits

Horses have four gaits. Walk, trot, canter, and gallop - in that order of ascending speed. Nobody trots away from danger. if your characters are fleeing, they are in a flat out gallop.

The tack

For describing scenes - you’ll really only need to talk about the reins and the bit. Pressure on the reins (held by the rider) should slow the horse down. The horse feels this pressure acting through the bit. 

All you really need to worry about for the saddle are the stirrups, and the girth. The girth is holding the saddle on, and the feet go into the stirrups.

Learning to ride

Is difficult! Your character won’t be a pro withing a couple of days. Its hard on your legs, and learning to balance can be tricky too. Somebody who is very comfortable in the saddle is relaxed and secure, and able to deal with however the horse acts. The rising trot, when the rider goes ‘up and down’ in sync with the horses movement in the trot, can be particularly difficult.

Ability

The average gallop is around 45km/h. So, bear i mind that a horse cannot outrun a car or anything like that. Jumping ability varies - a heavier horse will struggle over a 90cm hedge, but a quality animal could easily pop 1.60m (but only with a good rider.)  If your character gallops the horse on hard ground, it could easily go lame - they aren’t invincible! 

Feeding

Horses don’t eat the same way as dogs or cats. They are grazers - meaning they need to eat little, and often. Your character giving them a Handel of oats once a day is really not going to keep them alive. They need forage - grass or hay - and a lot of it.

Portraying atmospheres

Showing how the horse is feeling can be a really great tool for expressing the ‘mood’ of a scene. 

Relaxed - A relaxed horse will have its ears back lazily, but not pinned against its head. It will likely doze off and close its eyes, maybe while resting a hind leg.

Alert - Horses are super smart animals, and many say that they have a sixth sense that lets them know when something is coming. An alert horse stands up straight, and has its ears pricked forward.

Upset - If something bad is happening, the horse won’t be in  good mood. It might pin its ears flat back against its skull, and bare its teeth. It will flick its tail irritably, and a horse will kick out or bite at something if its unhappy.

Horses as friends

Horses are deeply empathetic animals. They are herd animals too, and can form deep connections with their people. A horse who is fond of a person may whinny when they see them, and nuzzle their face and neck. A real trust can form between horse and rider. To show this as your story progresses, the horse will become pleased to be with the character, and the character’s nerves aboard the horse will begin to fade.

—–

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to message me. All of this is very basic, and I am more than happy to help some fellow writers. 

Happy writing, Aoife - @writingguardian

I'm still learning how to Tumblr so forgive me for the messy answer

If you are still doing it, 💫

Okay, I was like: Imma write a drabble the way it’s supposed to be. I’m a pro.Spoiler: I didn’t, so this just turned out to be a weird oneshot. I got too much into it. Enjoy.Song: So Close - Jon McLaughlin“So close to reaching that famous happy end,Almost believing this one’s not pretend.”There she is, capturing something more than his view.Again, as if it took her no effort. But how? What was she doing here? Did anything other than her arrival matter anymore?Somehow, she looked more stunning than this morning, when they bumped into each other on the street. She made small steps trough the hall and he could see red shoes shyly showing their tips underneath her long dress. The dress swayed with each movement. From head to toe, the dress gradually turned from blue to red. Just the experience of looking at her seemed surreal.She noticed him, but then another man wanted her attention. She turned her head towards his black glasses and brown hair, then listened to his whispers and nodded until, finally, he walked away. Her gaze followed him before he got lost in the crowd.Her amber eyes met the black one again. She smiled. Resumed her pace towards him. Before he knew it, she was two feet away, the orchestra crept into the silence and he reached out.“Would you like to dance?” Pause. “Yes.”She gave him his hand and they both joined the dance floor.She placed her hand in his and spread her fingers across his shoulder. In return, his hand went underneath her shoulder blade and his eyes to hers.In the few steps that followed, the white-haired man noticed an unexpected security in her movements. It was almost as if the girl wasn’t the very klutz that spilt his tea. “You’re a pretty good dancer.”She looked away from the intense stare. An agonizing pause.“I thought I’d never see you again.”This statement made her tense and her eyes returned to his with a sheepish smile.“You’d want to?”The singer’s voice kept carrying them across the hall.“More than I’m willing to admit.”“Well, saying ‘yes’ is satisfying enough.”“Well, I guess that makes us both pleasantly surprised.”“Ehm, ‘pleasantly surprised’ doesn’t even begin to describe it”He chuckled.“What does?”Step, step, sigh.“I wish I could tell you.”He nodded in understanding. The conversation ended. They were both carried by the waves of the song into the waltz that was like a ship over the depths of each other’s eyes. Synchronised with the singer’s voice, like it was all planned outSo far, we are…The music started changing it’s pace.“Miss, if you don’t mind, I would like to try something”“I don’t.”“Hold tight.”Her expression showed how she read his intention and her grip tightened. His footwork became faster with each next step as they moved. She followed and her dress did too. The world became hazy. Guests. Marble pillars. Grand chandeliers. All gone.What remained was his smile and the bubble of laughter that wanted to escape her.It felt like-“Miss Bordeaux!”They stopped. The man with glasses from before stood as close as he had to be, looking displeased. Her partner gave them a confused glance. Glasses ignored him. His unpleasant attention was directed at the redhead. She turned to her partner and bowed.“I’m grateful for the pleasant dance.”“The feeling is mutual.”The brown haired man coughed and the girl hesitated before turning towards him. She rushed as she looked down at her feet.Her partner stood there for a few moments before walking towards the exit himself. Time to leave came too early. His friends will forgive him. As for the host, he’ll come up with an excuse.What about her?He’ll probably never see her again. Fate doesn’t give two chances so easily. Three is pretty much impossible. He knows how cruel it is. But…He can’t help but hope.Now he knows the name he yearned for all day.

@the-flame-and-hawks-eye

😍😭

Its almost a year since me and my boyfriend met. I was cosplaying Riza Hawkeye and he was cosplaying Roy mustang at Birmingham MCM he ran up to me shouting ‘Lieutenant!’ To get my attention and we spoke in character for a bit before introducing ourselves Its MCM Birmingham again in just over a week so to honor tradition we’re going as Royai

Whats great is we have always refered to eachother as ‘Lieutenant’ and ‘Colonel’ and his family call me Riza.

Common Sword types 

If you are still doing it, 💫

Okay, I was like: Imma write a drabble the way it’s supposed to be. I’m a pro.Spoiler: I didn’t, so this just turned out to be a weird oneshot. I got too much into it. Enjoy.Song: So Close - Jon McLaughlin“So close to reaching that famous happy end,Almost believing this one’s not pretend.”There she is, capturing something more than his view.Again, as if it took her no effort. But how? What was she doing here? Did anything other than her arrival matter anymore?Somehow, she looked more stunning than this morning, when they bumped into each other on the street. She made small steps trough the hall and he could see red shoes shyly showing their tips underneath her long dress. The dress swayed with each movement. From head to toe, the dress gradually turned from blue to red. Just the experience of looking at her seemed surreal.She noticed him, but then another man wanted her attention. She turned her head towards his black glasses and brown hair, then listened to his whispers and nodded until, finally, he walked away. Her gaze followed him before he got lost in the crowd.Her amber eyes met the black one again. She smiled. Resumed her pace towards him. Before he knew it, she was two feet away, the orchestra crept into the silence and he reached out.“Would you like to dance?” Pause. “Yes.”She gave him his hand and they both joined the dance floor.She placed her hand in his and spread her fingers across his shoulder. In return, his hand went underneath her shoulder blade and his eyes to hers.In the few steps that followed, the white-haired man noticed an unexpected security in her movements. It was almost as if the girl wasn’t the very klutz that spilt his tea. “You’re a pretty good dancer.”She looked away from the intense stare. An agonizing pause.“I thought I’d never see you again.”This statement made her tense and her eyes returned to his with a sheepish smile.“You’d want to?”The singer’s voice kept carrying them across the hall.“More than I’m willing to admit.”“Well, saying ‘yes’ is satisfying enough.”“Well, I guess that makes us both pleasantly surprised.”“Ehm, ‘pleasantly surprised’ doesn’t even begin to describe it”He chuckled.“What does?”Step, step, sigh.“I wish I could tell you.”He nodded in understanding. The conversation ended. They were both carried by the waves of the song into the waltz that was like a ship over the depths of each other’s eyes. Synchronised with the singer’s voice, like it was all planned outSo far, we are…The music started changing it’s pace.“Miss, if you don’t mind, I would like to try something”“I don’t.”“Hold tight.”Her expression showed how she read his intention and her grip tightened. His footwork became faster with each next step as they moved. She followed and her dress did too. The world became hazy. Guests. Marble pillars. Grand chandeliers. All gone.What remained was his smile and the bubble of laughter that wanted to escape her.It felt like-“Miss Bordeaux!”They stopped. The man with glasses from before stood as close as he had to be, looking displeased. Her partner gave them a confused glance. Glasses ignored him. His unpleasant attention was directed at the redhead. She turned to her partner and bowed.“I’m grateful for the pleasant dance.”“The feeling is mutual.”The brown haired man coughed and the girl hesitated before turning towards him. She rushed as she looked down at her feet.Her partner stood there for a few moments before walking towards the exit himself. Time to leave came too early. His friends will forgive him. As for the host, he’ll come up with an excuse.What about her?He’ll probably never see her again. Fate doesn’t give two chances so easily. Three is pretty much impossible. He knows how cruel it is. But…He can’t help but hope.Now he knows the name he yearned for all day.

Rations for various RPG Races

[[ Source. Original creator: wats6831. Additional information and images linked under each one. ]]

Universal:

Homemade artisan herb bread, home grown and dried apples and prunes, uncured beef sausage, munster cheese. Made a small bag from cheesecloth and tied it closed.

Discussion thread here.

Dwarf:

Garlic chicken livers, smoked and peppered cheese, spiced pork sausages, hard tack, dried vegetables, dried wild mushrooms.

Discussion thread here.

Elf:

Top left to right: Evereskan Honey Comb, Elven Travel Bread (Amaretto Liquer Cake with custom swirls), Lurien Spring Cheese (goat cheese with garlic, salt, spices and shallots), Delimbyr Vale Smoked Silverfin (Salmon), Honey Spiced Lichen (Kale Chips), and Silverwood Pine Nuts.

Discussion thread here.

Halfling:

From upper left: “Honeytack” Hard tack honey cakes, beef sausage, pork sausage mini links, mini whole wheat toast, cranberry cheddar cheese mini wedge, mini pickles, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, lower right is my homemade “travel cake” muesli with raisins, golden prunes, honey, eggs and cream.

Discussion thread here.

Half-Orc:

Wrapped in cheesecloth and tied in burlap package. Forest strider drumsticks, molasses sweet wheat bread “black strap”, aged Munster, hard boiled eggs, mixed wild nuts.

Discussion thread here.

Orc:

Orcs aren’t known for their great cuisine. Orcs prefer foods that are readily available (whatever can be had by raiding), and portable with little preparation, though they have a few racial delicacies. Toughs strips of lean meat, bones scavenged from recent kills, and dark coarse bread make up the bulk of common orc rations.Fire roasted rothe femur (marrow is a rare treat) [beef femur], Strips of dried meat (of unknown origin) [homemade goose jerky], foraged nuts, only edible by orcs….nut cracker tusks [brazil nuts], coarse black bread, made with whatever grains can be pillaged [black sesame bread], Pungent peppers [Habanero peppers stuffed with smoked fish and olives].

More images here. Discussion thread here.

Gnome:

Pan fried Delimbyr smelt, spiced goat cheese (paprika crusted hand pressed Fontina), Gnome shortbread (savory pistachio), glass travel jar filled with Secomber Red (wine), hard boiled quail eggs packed in rolled oats (to keep safe), dried figs from Calimshan, and Southwood smoked goat sausage (blood sausage).

More images here. Discussion thread here.

Lizardfolk:

Lizardfolk are known to be omnivores, forage for a surprising variety of foods found within the confines of their marshy environs, in this case the Lizard Marsh near Daggerford. Fresh caught boiled Delimbyr Crayfish on wild chives, coastal carrageen moss entrapping estuary brine shrimp (irish moss, dried brine shrimp), Brackish-Berries (blackberries), Blackened Dart-Frog legs (frog legs) on spring sprouts (clover sprouts), roasted bog bugs on a stick!

More images here. Discussion thread here.

Drow:

From top left: Menzoberranzan black truffle rothe cheese (Black Knight Tilsit), Donigarten Moss Snails (Escargot in shallot butter sauce), Blind cave fish caviar in mushroom caps (Lumpfish caviar), faerzress infused duck egg imported from the surface Realms (Century egg), Black velvet ear fungus (Auricularia Black Fungus Mushroom).

More images here. Discussion thread here.