The horse is the most common mount, but a variety of horses are available. In medieval times, horses were categorized by their function (role) and overall quality rather than by breed. Most common folk could not afford a riding horse and owning such a steed is a sign of wealth. The table below lists an average specimen in each category.
| Horse Type | Typical Cost | Notes |
| Nag | 300 sp | An old, broken-down horse well past it’s prime. Inferior in every way, but the most affordable type of horse. |
| Cob | 500 sp | A stocky, short-legged horse, typically used to pull carts, but can be ridden. |
| Sumpter | 750 sp | A common, low quality work horse that might be used to pull carts or serve as a pack horse. It is a general, all-purpose horse for those with limited funds. Such a horse can also serve as a mediocre steed. |
| Rouncey | 1,000 sp | A good, all purpose horse. A rouncey can be used for general riding, long distance travel, hunting, battle or occasionally as a pack animal. This is the most common type of riding horse. |
| Draft Horse | 1,200 sp | Also known as a draught horse or dray horse. This is any of certain breeds known for large size, great strength and a docile temperment. These horses are used primarily for heavy farm work... plowing fields, pulling wagons, logging and similar heavy pulling work. They have a slower galloping speed, but have a steady gait and very good stamina, hence they can cover a good distance each day despite their slower speed. |
| Hobby | 2,000 sp | A hobby is a lightweight horse that is very agile and fast. They are often used by scouts, messengers, skirmish raiders, bandits and so forth. They can’t carry as much weight, but can outrun most other horses, have good endurance and can cover a large amount of distance in a day. |
| Jennet | 4,000 sp | A jennet is a high-quality riding horse with a smooth, ambling gait and a calm demeanor. They are often used by lords and ladies as riding horses. Jennets are usually used for long-distance travel and occasionally hunting. |
| Palfrey | 8,000 sp | A palfrey is a very high quality riding horse with a smooth ambling gait which makes it very comfortable to ride. This superior steed is favored by nobles and others who can afford it. It is used for hunting, general riding and long distance travel. The palfrey is tall, steady, intelligent and strong. It is the finest riding horse one can purchase. |
| Courser | 9,000 sp | The courser is a high quality warhorse bred and trained for battle. It is larger, stronger and faster than most other horses, but not as powerful as the destrier. |
| Destrier | 12,000 sp | The destrier is a very large and powerful horse bred and trained for warfare. This highly prized warhorse is used frequently in battle, tournaments and jousts. Destriers excel at charging and are surprisingly agile given their huge size, but they tire quickly. They are bred and trained for battle, not long distance riding. Destriers are steady and calm in fierce combat and are simply the toughest and strongest horses one can ride into battle. They do not perform well as every day riding horses and cover less distance each day on long journeys than other types of horses. |
| Item Name | Cost | Notes |
| Basic Riding Tack | 100 silver | A complete kit to outfit a horse for riding. Includes a bit, bridle, reins, stirrups, four horseshoes, a riding saddle, saddle blanket and two saddle bags. |
| Riding Saddle | 50 silver | Basic leather saddle. |
| War Saddle | 85 silver | A well built riding saddle with extra high pommels and cantles. This saddle makes it easier for the rider to stay in the saddle when swinging a weapon or turning the steed quickly. |
| Nobleman's Saddle | 120 silver | A high quality wooden and leather saddle with extra padding and colorful fabric cover. This decorative saddle is very comfortable and is very decorative, designed to impress those around the rider. |
| Pack Saddle | 25 silver | A large wooden base with numerous hooks for attaching up to 8 saddle bags. This type of saddle does not include a seat for a rider. It is simply a support for saddle bags. |
| Saddle Bag | 10 silver | A rectangular leather bag with a closing flap and buckles. |
| Saddle Blanket | 5 silver | A thick wool blanket worn under the saddle to absorb sweat and cushion the saddle. |
| Horsehoe Set | 10 silver | A set of four basic horse shoes. Includes the services of a farrier to fit them to the horse. |
| Horseshoe, single | 3 silver | A single horseshoe. |
| Stirrups | 5 silver | Set of two basic iron and leather stirrups. |
| Halter | 5 silver | A harness for a horse’s head with a leather strap to be used lead and tie up the animal. |
| Yoke | 4 silver | A wooden beam with straps that can be fitted to an ox or donkey to haul lauds. |
| Bit and Bridle | 10 silver | Basic headgear consisting of buckled straps and bit. Used to direct the horse when riding. |
| Reins | 2 silver | Leather strips that attach to the bridle’s bit and used to direct the horse when riding. |
| Harness | 12 silver | A collar with buckles and straps that attaches a horse to a cart, wagon, carriage or other load. |
| Horse Bread | 0.1 silver | A coarse, low quality bread made of peas, bran, oats, rye and/or acorns. Often fed to horses as a dietary supplement to help them recover strength. It is more compact and easier to digest than hay. It is also easy to make and very cheap. A small loaf costs only 1 copper piece. |
| Caparison | 25 silver | An ornamental covering spread over a horse, worn beneath the saddle. Typically made of flax linen and colored in bright patterns. |
| Custom Caparison | 60 silver | A caparison, made to order, with specific colors and/or a specific guild standard or national emblem. |
| Barding, Padded | 400 silver | Thick, padded cloth armor for the warhorse. Padded barding is very common and will fit most warhorses. This is a complete set of barding and includes the chanfron (head armor), criniere (neck armor), croupiere (hind quarters), flanchards (flanks) and peytral (chest). |
| Barding, Leather | 3,000 silver | A complete set of hardened leather armor for the warhorse. Adjustable straps allow it to fit most warhorses. |
| Barding, Mail | 5,000 silver | Mail armor for the warhorse. Must be fitted to a specific warhorse, though it will often fit a warhorse of a similar size. Typically worn over padded barding. Because of the cost, it is typically only used by knights. |
| Barding, Plate | 10,000 silver | This type of plate barding covers the warhorse’s head, neck and body, but does not cover the legs or belly. It must be fitted to a specific warhorse, though it can often be adjusted to fit a warhorse of a similar size. It is typically worn over padded or mail barding. Plate barding is rare and expensive. It is typically used only by great knights and high ranking noble lords. |
| Barding, Full Plate | 15,000 silver | Full plate armor is plate barding that covers the entire warhorse. It is crafted of the finest steel and is often highly decorative, with both gold trim and intricate scroll work. Such barding must be carefully fitted to a specific warhorse. Full plate barding is incredibly rare and expensive and typically crafted only for kings. |
This website was last updated July 19, 2026. Copyright 1990-2026 David M. Roomes.