Leopard Horse

The Leopard Horse is a breed of hors found on the plains of Marukan. It is a tall, thin horse, standing 14 to 16 hands in height, originally produced by an intensive breeding program crossbreeding Paint Horses (for their sure footing and hardiness against injury) with Desert Horses (for speed and demeanour) and Dazzling Horses (for pattern and endurance).

This crossbred stock had an unusual effect on the coats of many horses, a blend of the striped Dazzling Horse pattern and the paint daubs of the Paint Horse producing skin and coats that are light, covered in small dark spots, the so-called ‘Leopard coat’ which gives the breed its name, and whose hooves are dark with light vertical striping. The Horselords saw this distinctive pattern as a sign of Hiparkes’ blessing, and their breeding techniques have brought out the other desired techniques: in an open field, a Leopard Horse can just outpace a Desert one, its rider not concerned a groundhog hole might snap its limbs, and can keep its pace longer than any other mundane horse breed.

Leopard Horses are the prized part of most Marukani herds, and feral populations also exist on the Marukan plain. On the battlefield, they are said to have nerves of steel, and are the mounts for most Marukani lancers and horse archers. Equestrians across Creation acknowledge Marukani leopard horses as the finest mundane horses in Creation (perhaps matched by the more pricey Firemanes), and while the Marukani value their horses too much to sell them en-masse, their Spring Market sees buyers from across Creation seeking to purchase them. The special relationship between Marukan and Lookshy sees the Seventh Legion’s cavalry elements and rangers gifted with fine leopard horses on a regular basis.