Stats

Mentality

Mentality is the stat that represents the horse's mental condition. It includes a willingness to work, and the stability of the horse's psyche. Mentality is important in all riding and shouldn't be neglected in the horse's training.

Horses with high Mentality have a positive attitude towards work and will do everything to please their rider. They have a stable temper and will not buck or kick easily. They are less likely to get scared when riding out, and are more likely to try and save a situation -- they are more likely to jump than to refuse an obstacle, even if the player made some mistakes in the approach of the jump.

Horses with low Mentality will be quick to lose their temper. If held too tight or pressured too much with the legs, they will protest and might even throw off the rider. They are easily scared from objects such as bridges or bushes, and need perfect conditions in order to jump -- if the player tries to jump from an angle or misses the timing of the rein release, the low Mentality horse will likely refuse.

If the horse shows signs of frustration, the player can remedy this by petting the horse, by not using the leg aids, and by giving rein through pushing the reins forward.

Responsiveness

Determines how quickly the horse responds to the rider's aids. High Responsiveness means a low delay in time between the rider's instruction and the horse's response. A horse with high Responsiveness will thus pick up speed quickly. If it has low Responsiveness, it will take much longer to reach the speed that the rider asked for.

Strength

Strength combined with Walk, Trot or Canter determines the quality of the gaits, including states such as passage or piaffe. In jumping, Strength together with the Jump stat determines how high and wide jumps the horse can clear.

Stamina

Being in extended or collected gaits, or jumping obstacles, all drains Stamina. When Stamina is depleted, the horse must slow down into a Working state until it has recharged. Higher Stamina means a slower depletion rate as well as a faster Stamina regeneration rate.

Walk

Determines the quality of the walk gait, together with Strength.

Trot

Determines the quality of the trot gait (including passage and piaffe), together with Strength.

Canter

Determines the quality of the canter gait, together with Strength.

Speed

Determines the horse’s max speed when in an extended canter. A high max speed is desireable in show jumping, as it allows the horse to get fast times.

Turnability

Determines how well the horse can turn at high speed. The faster the horse travels, the harder is it to turn sharply. At a slow speed, turning is easier. But a horse with high Turnability is able to perform sharp turns, even at high speeds. This is desireable in show jumping, as it allows for easier positioning before each jump.

Jump

Determines the jump capacity, together with the Strength stat. Good jump technique means the horse will carry itself well over the jumps. It can jump higher, and is less likely to have knockdowns since it arches its back and tucks in the legs under its body.