Fellow Riders,

It has come to my attention that not all among the Rohirrim have the proper appreciation for the fine steeds that bear us into battle and cover distances at speed.  While everyone in Middle Earth must pass a gauntlet of quests to learn to handle these magnificent animals, there’s no one to pass on the knowledge that Rohan is famed for.

Did not Éomer, Third Marshal of the Mark, give two of our horses to Legolas and Aragorn (Arod and Hasufel, respectively) as they sought the presence of King Theoden?  Did not the mighty Asfaloth bear Glorfindel to greatness again and again? 

When Gandalf the White needed to marshal troops, he called on the legendary Shadowfax, one of the few Mearas remaning in Middle Earth.  And even humble but clever Bill the pony managed to survive the onslaught of the watcher, and returned to Bree alone as the Fellowship of the Ring entered Moria. 

If you don't have a horse, this is a necessary grounding in equines.  If you already have one, read on, and appreciate the strength of diversity among the horses of Middle Earth.

Starter Horses

Horses can be divided into two large groups.  The first group is the set of horses that require a bit of gold or some time at a festival to acquire.  They’re fine animals, every one: fast, and possessed of 100 morale.  All are acquired at the Hengstacer Farm, in Bree-Land.  (The Bree-horse is only suitable for young children, as it’s too slow and fragile for the Riders of Rohan!)

Your first horse will likely be one of:

Blonde Sorrel:

Bay:

Bloodbay:

Chestnut Horse:

   

Festival Mounts

One doesn't need a holiday to celebrate equine virtue, but should you partake in the seasonal festivals, you can either compete in the race for new mounts, or use connections in either the Ale Association or Inn League to barter for one.  However you do acquire these horses, they’re just as fast and sturdy as the other horses acquired at Hengstacer Farms. 

Yule Horse:

Yule Snow Horse:

Blue Roan:

Springfest Horse:

Lithe Festival Horse:

Pale Golden Summer Steed:

   

While I have a respectable stable of horses, as befits a son of Rohan, I look forward to the fall festival to fill out my collection. 

Faction Horses

The real reward for a dedicated rider comes from proving one’s worth, and being rewarded with the privilege of acquiring a truly great horse.  Just as fast as the other horses, these horses are 50% tougher, with 150 morale.  Accomplishing epic deeds (the Volume 1 Epic Quest) will grant you the Grey Horse:

Achieving kindred status with the Elves of Lothlórien will give you the privilege of bartering gold leaves and silver branches for a Galadhrim Horse:

Earning kindred status with the Council of the North will give you the honor of buying the Ashen Horse: 

The Men of Bree allow kindred to purchase a Liver Chestnut Horse:

Meriting kindred status with the Wardens of Annúminas will allow you to buy the Dark Chestnut Horse:

Hardy souls that prove themselves kindred with the Lossoth of Forochel may purchase a Tundra Horse:

The Mirkwood Elves reward their kindred allies with the ability to barter gold stars for a Smoky Black Steed:

Special Rewards

For those that have proven themselves in the deepest reaches of Angmar, and have accomplished all the mightiest deeds in Carn Dûm, Urugarth, Barad Gularan, have defeated the Balrog of the Rift, and Thorog in Helegrod, a special reward awaits: A Dúnedain War Steed! 

A Malledhrim War Steed is given to those who triumph over all challenges in the Sword Halls of Dol Guldur, Warg Pens of Dol Guldur, and Dungeons of Dol Guldur, as well as Barad Guldur. 

And for those who have triumphed again and again (and again) in the Ettenmoors, earning the rank of High Warden allows one to purchase a Black Horse. 

Someday, I might add these last two horses to my collection. 

Goats

The Elves of Lothlórien reward those who have triumphed in The Hall of Mirrors (Lumul-Nar), the Water Wheels (Nala-Dûm), the Hall of Crafting, and Dâr Narbugud, with a Wild Mountain Goat. 

Victory in The Grand Stair, The Forges of Khazad-Dûm, Fil Gashan, Skûmfil, the Dark Delvings, and the Vile Maw is celebrated with a Nimble Black Goat:

There are those adventurers who also have purchased a Dusky Nimblefoot Goat, which is as fast as any of these other goats, except it is much less sturdy:

Whatever mount you choose (and it should be a horse!), appreciate its nobility, bravery, beauty, and utility.  The great Oromë himself, the huntsman of the Valar, relied on his mighty steed Nahar when hounding Morgoth across Middle Earth.  In our efforts against the shadow, we would do well to follow his example!

Ride on, Horse-lords!

Prenthelion

(Thanks to Brinwald for breaking out the Dusky Nimblefoot goat, and those of you who want more detail in the pics can open them in a new tab or window to see the larger source file.)