Aestatian Destrier

The Aestatian Destrier is a massive draft type horse that has recently been introduced to the provinces of Aversia due to the generation of warfare, bred to carry the heavy armored weight of riders or weaponry. They are generally around 21 hands (84 in, 213.36 cm)-22 hands (88 in, 223.53 cm) at their shoulders, and weigh in at around 1,224.7-1360.7 kg (2,700-3,000 lbs). Their lifespan is the same as other horse breeds, around 30-35 years in captivity, and somewhat less if they are feral.

They are heavily muscles horses, especially in their shoulders, which is where most of the weight comes from. They were bred specifically to be massive, tall animals, capable of of pulling about 4,500 lbs on their own, and nearly three times as much if they are in a team of at least two animals. On their backs, the are able to carry about 20% of their weight (around 540-600 lbs of tack and rider weight).

For color, the Aestatian Destrier is rather standardized, as it had been bred for a specific look. The most common color is silver bay; a bright red bay with brown legs and white mane and tail. Most have markings on their legs and faces as well, but the favored color is solid silver bay. Other colors that are seen in the breed are bay, black, chestnut, buckskin, dun, and silver dilutions of all those colors.

Their main use during the war was to pull heavy loads across captured territories. Anything from supplies to siege weapons were pulled by these massive horses. They were also ridden by the higher ups, though rarely into battle. Aestatian Destriers are generally not very fast horses, so they make poor cavalry animals, but they have high stamina, and can make long treks, either with a rider on their back, or pulling weight.

A number of horses were abandoned and left behind, or escaped, and now are generally used by farmers to pull plows or move heavy amounts of supplies and goods from place to place. They are also often used in construction, as they are able to work long hours and pull stones and supplies both long and short distances. They are still used as riding horses, but have mainly been bred in Aversia to handle the tasking effort of moving artillery around.

Their tails are naturally long, but some of the first horses had been given docked tails, giving them a bob-tail appearance, which is still sometimes done to horses that are used for draft work.

Distribution

They are found mostly in temperate grasslands, as that is where the majority were captured or accidentally released. Most were rounded during moments of war, though there are still a couple of smaller herds that have become feral, often mingling with the other feral horses on the continent.

Habitat

Feral Destriers prefer open plains as they are able to see far for signs of predators, though they rarely stay in one place for long. Feral herds will move many miles a day for food and water, and even when foals are being born, they generally will keep moving. Domesticated horses are usually kept in pastures, as most stables aren't equipped to handle their massive size.

Diet

Like other horse breeds, Destriers are herbivores and mostly feed on grass or hay. Domesticated horses will often be fed some sort of dry feed along with hay. They will also strip lower branches of leaves to eat to give their diet some variety.

Relations

Aestatian Destriers, unlike other draft breeds, are relatively high-spirited animals. While they are not aggressive, they have tendencies to rear and buck without much warning, sometimes just for the fun of it, though this can damage wagon tack and throw riders. It takes a more skilled hand to work with these horses, especially with their size.

Despite this, they bond well with their riders and handlers, and are happy to greet them when they enter the barn or approach their pasture. They can be trained to come when called, or to respond to verbal commands rather than through reins and legs much easier because of this close attachment.

Mechanics

• Can pull 20% of their weight, and more with a team
• High stamina, low speed
• Easy to train
• Can be domesticated, even as adults

Material Properties

• Their fur can be used for various things and their mane and tail hair can be used for instruments.
• Their meat is edible.

Alchemical Properties

• Undiscovered; likely none.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier