Anyone in the community familiar with both Texas Hillcountry (the actual place) and horses (the actual creatures)?
For a game setting I’m working on, I’ve got questions about the feasibility of nomadic horse-riders living in a vast karst topography similar to the Hillcountry. I’ve done some reading and have my doubts, but looking for folks with first-hand experience or knowledge.
Thanks!
You have your doubts that it’s feasible for nomadic horse folk to live in a large karst region?
You have your doubts that it’s feasible for nomadic horse folk to live in a large karst region?
I’ve visited the Texas Hill Country many times, but I may or may not be of any help. What kinds of questions did you have?
I’ve visited the Texas Hill Country many times, but I may or may not be of any help. What kinds of questions did you have?
Yeah I’ve spent quite a bit of time in and around the hill country and know a bit about horses and a bit about Boy Scout type survival stuff. What questions do you have?
Yeah I’ve spent quite a bit of time in and around the hill country and know a bit about horses and a bit about Boy Scout type survival stuff. What questions do you have?
Basically what Jason Lutes said: I’m wondering if it’s feasible for a large, disparate population of nomadic horse-folk to live in a large karst region?
From what I know about horses, they do best in plains, steppes, grasslands, etc. They can do hills and whatnot, but folks seem to prefer mules or donkeys for that sort of terrain.
The pics I’ve seen of the Hill Country (and similar karst formations) make me doubt whether horses would be practical (or even feasible) mounts.
Basically what Jason Lutes said: I’m wondering if it’s feasible for a large, disparate population of nomadic horse-folk to live in a large karst region?
From what I know about horses, they do best in plains, steppes, grasslands, etc. They can do hills and whatnot, but folks seem to prefer mules or donkeys for that sort of terrain.
The pics I’ve seen of the Hill Country (and similar karst formations) make me doubt whether horses would be practical (or even feasible) mounts.
I def don’t know enough about horses to say if they are for some reason biologically unfit for the environment. I will say that most creatures find ways to adapt so they likely could do it. In any case, I don’t think it would break the reality of the fiction for most players to just assume that horses would be fine in a karst region. Good luck with the game!
I def don’t know enough about horses to say if they are for some reason biologically unfit for the environment. I will say that most creatures find ways to adapt so they likely could do it. In any case, I don’t think it would break the reality of the fiction for most players to just assume that horses would be fine in a karst region. Good luck with the game!
Looking into a history of the German settlement of
Texas would probably be instructive. The hill country is where they largely ended up.
Looking into a history of the German settlement of
Texas would probably be instructive. The hill country is where they largely ended up.
Read up on the Comanche and Tonkawa. The Comanche in particular were master riders — far better than the Anglos at the time.
Horses definitely do better in open terrain, and obviously prefer it, but they can negotiate the harder stuff. Just watch the Man from Snowy River to see what I mean 🙂
Read up on the Comanche and Tonkawa. The Comanche in particular were master riders — far better than the Anglos at the time.
Horses definitely do better in open terrain, and obviously prefer it, but they can negotiate the harder stuff. Just watch the Man from Snowy River to see what I mean 🙂
there is also a lot of differences in the hill country. some of it is relay rugged (and beautiful) and other parts are fairly tame. People on horseback would natural avoid the worst areas when they could and use caution when they half to. Donkeys and other animals are always used alongside horses depending on the job.
as a former war gamer who used to field an army of mounted Normans, I would always opt for as little terrain as possible while my opponent would always vote to clutter the map. in war, horse people would naturally try to meet their enemies where the terrain suited horses. in day to day living you would probably ride in the smooth areas and walk your horse in the rough areas. you still do a lot better then a man without a horse. also if your familiar with ridding in rough terrain and your opponents are not then that is a big plus too.
there is also a lot of differences in the hill country. some of it is relay rugged (and beautiful) and other parts are fairly tame. People on horseback would natural avoid the worst areas when they could and use caution when they half to. Donkeys and other animals are always used alongside horses depending on the job.
as a former war gamer who used to field an army of mounted Normans, I would always opt for as little terrain as possible while my opponent would always vote to clutter the map. in war, horse people would naturally try to meet their enemies where the terrain suited horses. in day to day living you would probably ride in the smooth areas and walk your horse in the rough areas. you still do a lot better then a man without a horse. also if your familiar with ridding in rough terrain and your opponents are not then that is a big plus too.