Table 26:

Horse Traits

D10 Roll	Nag, broken-down, and average	High-spirited and chargers
1	Biter	Bucks
2	Kicks	Bone-jarring
3	Steps on feet	Bites
4	Won't gallop	Single rider
5	Chews fences	Rears
6	Stops occasionally	Headstrong
7	Rubs against fences	Kicks
8	Bucks	Leaper
9	Untrained	Knows trick
10	Use other column	Use other column, or DM choice*

* Other possibilities include robust, fleet, fearless, skittish, strong, stable, gentle, sure-footed, etc.

Some horses have a seemingly malicious tendency to step on feet as they are being saddled and groomed--and then they refuse to move. Some refuse to gallop unless forced. Some stubborn horses just stop in the middle of a march and almost have to be dragged forward. Others take an almost human pleasure in rubbing against fences, walls, and trees trying to scrape their rider off. Bucking

horses are always unpleasant, though at least the rider can usually feel the horse tense up just before it happens.

Untrained horses, even those broken for riding, haven't learned the basic commands of horsemanship--left, right, speed up, or slow down. They do what they think they are supposed to, but that isn't always right.

Some, while trained, are just plain headstrong and, figuring they know more than their riders, try to do what they want. Single-rider horses have been trained too well, recognizing only a single master. With time they can be ridden by a new owner, but they will not respond well to others, even friends of the owner. On rare occasions a horse may actually know a minor trick, usually learned without special training. These tricks are very simple--to come when whistled for, to rear on a tug of the reins, or to turn when the rider presses with his knees.

Particularly lively horses have their own special quirks. Some just cannot seem to move at a slow steady pace. Every step is a jolting, bouncing bone-jarring ride. Others are born leapers, making corrals and fences only an occasional barrier. An ill-tempered few will rear suddenly at the most surprising moments, especially in the midst of combat. When the horse does this, it is not attacking so much as reacting in fear and surprise. Many a rider has been dumped by this sudden move.

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