Warhorse

The Dameskans, being a war-like culture, prize the breeding of their warhorses. They're a sturdy, powerful breed that is cultivated for its intelligence, calm demeanor in battle, physical size, and strength. Purists will insist the best have black coats, which means all serious breeders aim to keep their horses color from fading in the sun. White markings, brown highlights, or chestnut coats are bred out, sold as 'defects', or work horses.
Horses are only accepted from registered breeders when it comes to providing for the military, the church, or nobility. Their reputation, rather, their entire livelihood, rests in providing quality horses. This usually means the breeders own and operate large horse ranches with a large support staff and elite guards. While the staff themselves are unlikely to use one of the warhorses themselves, they might have the 'defects' trained for Ranch use.

Male Friesian horse by Larissa Allen

Additional Information

Domestication

Dameskan warhorses are trained to respond to a variety of commands and none of them are typical. This prevents anyone outside of Damesk from easily comandeering one of the horses after a battle. While the Dameskans speak the same trade tongue as the rest of Yandelar, they have their own dialect and variation of it. They've changed some of these words more so when training their warhorses.
The correct phrase, coupled with a stern voice, is needed to direct and control these animals.
In addition to the commands, the warhorses are taught to defend their fallen rider against unfamiliar persons - such as those not wearing dameskan colors or armor. Whomever that rider might be. They are also agressive to horses that are not of the same breed.

Temperment

The Dameskan Warhorse is a seemingly calm, patient horse until it is called upon to act or once it is rode into combat. There, they become their own force to be reckoned with and a secondary threat of the Dameskan military.

Location / Distribution

Found and bred only in Damesk

Growth Rate

At 1 year old, the training for the warhorse begins. The horse doesn't become combat viable until 3 years old. Most aren't considered 'veteran' unless they've lived to be 5 years or older.

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Lifespan

30 years, if not killed in combat

Average Height

15 - 17 hands

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The expected Dameskan warhorse has a black or charcoal coat with a long tail and mane to match. This might be trimmed or braided close before combat, but it is left to grow out to preserve the appearance of the animal. There is also long hair on their lower legs, left deliberately untrimmed.
No warhorse in the military, church, or belonging to a noble will have any white markings.