Horse

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An Attilan Rough Rider on his mount

Horses in the 41st Millennium can be radically different compared to their ancient descendants first domesticated on Terra. Natural selection, gene-modification and mutation has given rise to a variety of horses able to survive in alien atmospheres and consume exotic fodder. Those bred for riding can run at speeds faster than their ancient cousins over much greater distances; draught horses, meanwhile, are grown to such sizes that they would dwarf a Shire, Percheron,[1] or Palfrey.[13]

Overview

Besides their natural breeding, war-horses used by Rough Riders and other mounted formations are often modified further to increase their combat potential,[2] being given bio-chem treatments and extensive training to brave contemporary battlefield conditions without panicking. Imperial transport spaceships are large enough to provide for extensive training areas.[4]

Many Imperial denizens have never seen a horse before, and some view these strange creatures as food. Nevertheless this makes Arbitrators mounties an effective riot control force, as the sight of them bearing down with shock lances riding these strange creatures is enough to put fear into an angry mob. Few things can control an angry crowd better.[6]

Krieg Steeds

Death Riders of Krieg[3b]

An prime example of a genetically-modified type of horse are those ridden by the Death Riders of Krieg. Krieg Steeds are creatures grown in vitagenic cloning vats beneath the surface of Krieg. These horses are able to effortlessly leap over trenches and power through thick mud, assisted by splayed feet for better traction, and can sustain injuries which would kill a lesser creature. Larger than normal horses and nearly hairless, they are psychologically more aggressive and given combat drugs to make them fearless in the heat of battle.[3] The stimms often blacken their vascular system beneath their pale skin, giving it a series of dark striations. Their adrenal levels are almost always high, even when seemingly at ease.[13a] The volatile body chemistry of Krieg steeds requires constant monitoring by the rider, with additional chemicals administered to keep it stablised.[3] The instincts of a Krieg steeds have been altered so that instead of acting with fear when hearing the sound of a dying horse, they act with aggression - ready to charge into danger.[17c]

These horses have numerous unique bio-sculpted organs, allowing for survival in the most polluted of planetary environments.[5b] The gene-wrought horses can sustain themselves on leather scraps or other material if its chemical food supply and fat reserves diminish.[13a] Krieg steeds lack a sense of taste,[13b] but have an enhanced sense of smell.[17c] Their jaws have maxillary tusks and their feet have a primary fore claws are able to pull down barbed wire as readily as disembowel a foe. Their powerful equine legs can crush a spine with ease. The creatures are able to run for up to a month without stopping for rest. While growing in their vitae wombs, these gene-wrought horses occasionally canabalise their twins or other siblings - resulting in even larger creatures with twice as thick muscle bundles, double the amount of glands, two sets of mandibles, and two layers of flak-hard ribs.[13a] Furthermore, once retrieved from the cloning vats, they are further modified with sub-dermal armour[5a] (a ballistic weave)[17c] and osmotic lungs[5a] and wear larger versions of the gas masks used by their riders.[5b]

Eldar Myth

The Eldar of mythology were said to be prudent "Horsemasters", although the nature of their horses is lost to legend.[7] Rather, it is only in comparison to the Windrider jetbikes that the creatures are considered – such as Alean the steed of Khaine for which Nuadhu 'Fireheart' named his Vyper steed.[9]

Notable Horses

Chaos

The forces of Chaos have also been observed fielding horses. Some appear to be capable of bearing power armoured Chaos Space Marines:

Images

Trivia

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The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

See also

Sources


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This article or article section is based on information from a Fanatic Press publication such as Fanatic Magazine or one of its predecessors (e.g. The Citadel Journal, Necromunda Magazine, etc.). These publications regularly featured articles submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

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This article or article section is based on entries to the Golden Demon competition such as those featured on White Dwarf, or similar public events showcases (e.g. exhibits at Warhammer World and local GW stores, Armies on Parade, Warhammer Championships, etc.) published by Games Workshop. These showcases regularly feature miniatures and content submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

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