Mounts and Related Gear
Horses and other mounts let you travel faster and more easily.
Barding, Medium-Size Creature and Large Creature: Barding is simply some type of armor covering the head, neck, chest, body, and possibly legs of a horse. Heavier types provide better protection at the expense of lower speed. As with any nonhumanoid Large creature, a horse’s armor costs four times what a human’s (a humanoid Medium-size creature’s) armor costs and also weighs twice as much. (If the barding is for a pony, which is Medium-size, the cost is only double, and the weight is the same.) Medium or heavy barding slows mounts: Flying mounts can’t fly in medium or heavy barding.
Barded animals require special attention. You must take care to prevent chafing and sores caused by the armor. The armor must be removed at night and ideally should not be put on the mount except to prepare for a battle.
Barded animals cannot be used to carry any load other than the rider and normal saddlebags. Because of this, a mounted warrior often leads a second mount for carrying gear and supplies.
Cart: A two-wheeled vehicle drawn by a single horse (or other beast of burden). It comes with a harness.
Dog, Riding: This Medium-size dog is specially trained to carry a Small humanoid rider (and not a dwarf). It is brave in combat like a warhorse. You take no damage when you fall from a riding dog. (See the Monster Manual for more information on riding dogs.)
Donkey or Mule: The best pack animal around, a donkey or mule is stolid in the face of danger, hardy, sure-footed, and capable of carrying heavy loads over vast distances. Unlike horses, they’re willing (though not eager) to enter dungeons and other strange or threatening places. (See the Monster Manual for more information on donkeys and mules.)
Feed: Horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies can graze to sustain themselves, but providing feed for them (such as oats) is much better because it provides a more concentrated form of energy, especially if the animal is exerting itself. If you have a riding dog, you have to feed it at least some meat, which may cost more or less than the given amount.
Horse: The horse is the best all-around work animal and mount in common use. A horse (other than a pony) is suitable as a mount for a human, elf, half-elf, or half-orc. A pony is smaller than a horse. A pony is a suitable mount for a dwarf, gnome, or halfling. (See the Monster Manual for more information on horses and ponies.) Warhorses and warponies can be ridden easily into combat. Light horses, ponies, and heavy horses are hard to control in combat (see Mounted Combat, page 138, and the Ride skill, page 72).
Saddle, Exotic: An exotic saddle is like a normal saddle of the same type except that it is designed for an unusual mount, such as a pegasus. Exotic saddles come in military, pack, and riding styles.
Saddle, Military: A military saddle braces the rider, adding a +2 circumstance bonus to Ride checks related to staying in the saddle. If you’re knocked unconscious while in a military saddle, you have a 75% chance to stay in the saddle (compared to 50% for a riding saddle).
Saddle, Pack: A pack saddle holds gear and supplies, not a rider. A pack saddle holds as much gear as the mount can carry. (The Monster Manual has notes on how much mounts can carry.)
Saddle, Riding: The standard riding saddle supports a rider.
Sled: This is a wagon on runners for moving through snow and over ice. In general, two horses (or other beasts of burden) draw it. It comes with the harness needed to pull it.
Stabling: Includes a stable, feed, and grooming.
Wagon: This is a four-wheeled, open vehicle for transporting heavy loads. In general, two horses (or other beasts of burden) draw it. It comes with the harness needed to pull it.