What kind of animal could a centaur ride, and how?
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Let's be using your typical centaur: half man, half horse. Due to the nature of their legs, they can't ride animals in the way that humans do. Horse legs just aren't really made to do that.
My question is, what kind of animal could I use or create for them to be able to ride, and how would they mount and ride it?
It has to be at least semi-comfortable for the taurs, and be able to carry a heavy load over long distances.
EDIT: The technology in this world is pretty much dark ages technology.
centaur mounts
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up vote
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Let's be using your typical centaur: half man, half horse. Due to the nature of their legs, they can't ride animals in the way that humans do. Horse legs just aren't really made to do that.
My question is, what kind of animal could I use or create for them to be able to ride, and how would they mount and ride it?
It has to be at least semi-comfortable for the taurs, and be able to carry a heavy load over long distances.
EDIT: The technology in this world is pretty much dark ages technology.
centaur mounts
9
2 questions: 1:Why would they want to do this? 2: are we allowed saddles/howdahs?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 14:57
1
So speed isn’t the issue, laziness is?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 15:01
8
@AzaleaGarden What animal on earth has a better ability to travel long distances without getting tired than a horse? They are literally designed for that, they are the temperate world's champion long-distance migrator. This doesn't make any sense.
– kingledion
Nov 23 at 15:01
4
@kingledion Actually horses would stop walking when tired. Humans are the only animals that are so stubborn that they will continue to walk even when tired, blisters on foot and not feed.
– SZCZERZO KŁY
Nov 23 at 15:39
4
Humans can run for hours without tiring, your lazy centaurs can just ride humans.
– 001003000420004200R5
Nov 23 at 16:22
|
show 11 more comments
up vote
10
down vote
favorite
up vote
10
down vote
favorite
Let's be using your typical centaur: half man, half horse. Due to the nature of their legs, they can't ride animals in the way that humans do. Horse legs just aren't really made to do that.
My question is, what kind of animal could I use or create for them to be able to ride, and how would they mount and ride it?
It has to be at least semi-comfortable for the taurs, and be able to carry a heavy load over long distances.
EDIT: The technology in this world is pretty much dark ages technology.
centaur mounts
Let's be using your typical centaur: half man, half horse. Due to the nature of their legs, they can't ride animals in the way that humans do. Horse legs just aren't really made to do that.
My question is, what kind of animal could I use or create for them to be able to ride, and how would they mount and ride it?
It has to be at least semi-comfortable for the taurs, and be able to carry a heavy load over long distances.
EDIT: The technology in this world is pretty much dark ages technology.
centaur mounts
centaur mounts
edited Nov 23 at 16:53
a CVn♦
21.6k1190170
21.6k1190170
asked Nov 23 at 14:54
AzaleaGarden
963420
963420
9
2 questions: 1:Why would they want to do this? 2: are we allowed saddles/howdahs?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 14:57
1
So speed isn’t the issue, laziness is?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 15:01
8
@AzaleaGarden What animal on earth has a better ability to travel long distances without getting tired than a horse? They are literally designed for that, they are the temperate world's champion long-distance migrator. This doesn't make any sense.
– kingledion
Nov 23 at 15:01
4
@kingledion Actually horses would stop walking when tired. Humans are the only animals that are so stubborn that they will continue to walk even when tired, blisters on foot and not feed.
– SZCZERZO KŁY
Nov 23 at 15:39
4
Humans can run for hours without tiring, your lazy centaurs can just ride humans.
– 001003000420004200R5
Nov 23 at 16:22
|
show 11 more comments
9
2 questions: 1:Why would they want to do this? 2: are we allowed saddles/howdahs?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 14:57
1
So speed isn’t the issue, laziness is?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 15:01
8
@AzaleaGarden What animal on earth has a better ability to travel long distances without getting tired than a horse? They are literally designed for that, they are the temperate world's champion long-distance migrator. This doesn't make any sense.
– kingledion
Nov 23 at 15:01
4
@kingledion Actually horses would stop walking when tired. Humans are the only animals that are so stubborn that they will continue to walk even when tired, blisters on foot and not feed.
– SZCZERZO KŁY
Nov 23 at 15:39
4
Humans can run for hours without tiring, your lazy centaurs can just ride humans.
– 001003000420004200R5
Nov 23 at 16:22
9
9
2 questions: 1:Why would they want to do this? 2: are we allowed saddles/howdahs?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 14:57
2 questions: 1:Why would they want to do this? 2: are we allowed saddles/howdahs?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 14:57
1
1
So speed isn’t the issue, laziness is?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 15:01
So speed isn’t the issue, laziness is?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 15:01
8
8
@AzaleaGarden What animal on earth has a better ability to travel long distances without getting tired than a horse? They are literally designed for that, they are the temperate world's champion long-distance migrator. This doesn't make any sense.
– kingledion
Nov 23 at 15:01
@AzaleaGarden What animal on earth has a better ability to travel long distances without getting tired than a horse? They are literally designed for that, they are the temperate world's champion long-distance migrator. This doesn't make any sense.
– kingledion
Nov 23 at 15:01
4
4
@kingledion Actually horses would stop walking when tired. Humans are the only animals that are so stubborn that they will continue to walk even when tired, blisters on foot and not feed.
– SZCZERZO KŁY
Nov 23 at 15:39
@kingledion Actually horses would stop walking when tired. Humans are the only animals that are so stubborn that they will continue to walk even when tired, blisters on foot and not feed.
– SZCZERZO KŁY
Nov 23 at 15:39
4
4
Humans can run for hours without tiring, your lazy centaurs can just ride humans.
– 001003000420004200R5
Nov 23 at 16:22
Humans can run for hours without tiring, your lazy centaurs can just ride humans.
– 001003000420004200R5
Nov 23 at 16:22
|
show 11 more comments
8 Answers
8
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oldest
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up vote
15
down vote
Use Chariots
Others have suggested carts but I will go one step further and suggest chariots. Chariots only have two wheels so they can handle terrain that carts can't. They can be designed to fit just one centaur (with a cart, the centaur(s) would be knocked around a lot) and have firm railings to grab on it (like the ones made for humans have). Or they could fit 2+ centaurs and/or baggage.
They can be pulled by one or two (some pictures I'm seeing show up to 4) horses, other centaurs, oxen, etc. It makes perfect sense to me that even someone who is strong and healthy and built for speed and distance would need a break from traveling, or might need technology to help out for a great journey.
Edited to add:
I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses):
By Álvaro Pérez Vilariño - Flickr: Biga, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
And while I don't know the size of the centaurs, here's a picture of the original Greek horses that used to pull actual chariots. One would fit nicely into the chariot in the photograph.
(from: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/skyros-ponies-horses-rare-breed/)
5
The downside of a chariot is its floor space. A chariot works because humans can easily stand in the diameter of a wheel, so the chariot doesn't need to be longer than that. A centaur will be the length of a horse though, with a leg at each corner. That gives substantial overhang at front and back, making the whole thing very unstable. Centaurs will also be the weight of a horse, so the whole thing will need to be very much stronger, leading to more weight again. A four-wheel cart is really the only option, I think.
– Graham
Nov 24 at 0:06
5
Is the 8 legged horse required, or simply desirable?
– Tim
Nov 24 at 15:41
1
LOL! Just an unfortunate angle of two horses.
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:18
@Graham I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot#/media/…
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:23
2
@Tim Blackadder series1 episode5: (Lord Percy) Look, look, I just can’t take the pressure of all these omens anymore! (Prince Edmund "Blackadder") Percy… (Percy) No, no, really, I’m serious. Only this morning in the courtyard, I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies!! (Edmund) Two horses standing next to each other? (Percy) Yes, I suppose it could have been.
– user3445853
Nov 24 at 20:55
|
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up vote
7
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Since we're considering centaurs I feel free to invent a creature.
- Let's start with this charming little guy. I give you... the Texas Horned Lizard (Source).
Lizards can really haul the mail. They're sleek, fast, good jumpers, and notice almost everything around them. That charming little tyke is a bit small for our purposes, so let's modify him a bit.
- He needs to be the better part of 7 meters nose-to-tail.
- He needs to carry a bit of weight — 675 Kg worth of centaur plus whatever is reasonable for them to carry with them. Let's give him two extra feet (6 legs).
- His broad back is a great starting point, but let's provide a bit of an evolutionary convenience. Rather than one spine down the middle, let's give him two spines for strength and flexibility. The result is a hammock in the center of the back that's just right for a centaur to lie down in.
And if you really want to amp this up a bit, give him a Frilled Lizard's neck flap. It not only scares the crap out of people, but it provides remarkable protection for the centaur (if a bit of visibility hindrance). (Source) Remember, 7 meters long, six legs, that flap would be reasonably naturally armored.
I definitely wouldn't want to be the fool facing squad of these beauties.
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up vote
4
down vote
The sheer weight of a centaur's body would make travelling 'piggy back' for any appreciable distance very uncomfortable.
I suggest a specially-designed sling with leg holes to support the passenger. They could then be supported between two draft horse.
- High-status ones have centaur servants (or horses). Of course they are capable of walking themselves (apart from during sickness or old age)
The carriers work one at each 'corner'.
- A horse and carriage would work well - again with a specially designed sling.
1
I'm not convinced a horse's pelvis could handle the sitting position shown.
– JBH
Nov 23 at 17:05
Neither am I but a suitably built up snug-fitting saddle or even a pair of reinforced shorts could presumably save the situation.
– chasly from UK
Nov 23 at 17:08
1
(Where'd you get that gif?)
– BruceWayne
Nov 24 at 6:48
2
The horse in that GIF is misproportioned... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
– wizzwizz4
Nov 24 at 8:42
1
@BruceWayne - coub.com/chuck.choovack
– chasly from UK
Nov 24 at 9:00
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
How about Elaphas maximus, Loxodonta africana, or Loxodonta cyclotis?
The centaur could ride up an adjustable ramp to the back of the Elaphus or Loxodonta and then stand or lie down on the back. Or the Elaphus or Loxodonta could get down on all four knees with its stomach on the ground and the centaur could climb onto the back before the Elaphus or Loxondonta stood up.
13
If you mean "an elephant", why not say "an elephant"?
– Level River St
Nov 23 at 20:35
Maybe the point is: “invent an animal”?
– Josejulio
Nov 24 at 3:14
1
This lists the one animal alive that wouldn't be squished and or decidedly become or is hostile.
– Mazura
Nov 24 at 18:13
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up vote
2
down vote
Bigger horses
Might seem glib, but it’s the best I’ve got. If your centaurs are relatively small then straddling the back of a large breed (A shire horse of some kind, or a Clydesdale ) that is bred for carrying large loads with. Out. Stopping. Is probably your best bet. They’re relatively simple to mount if you have some wooden blocks and can be ridden much as a human rides a jet ski (knees tucked up at the sides) to keep the weight distributed nearer their hips and shoulders. As far as speed over distance goes they can plod away for ages without needing to stop. They were bred for it, after all.
Presumably your half-horse horse breeders will be even better at breeding for big, strong, fast horses, eventually getting back to something more like medieval era warhorse breeds.
Just hope they can get over the weirdness...
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up vote
1
down vote
The mythical Roc is a pre-made mythical creature that specifically carries cattle around. If such creatures exist in your world it seems reasonable that centaurs might seek them out to use as "mounts" of a kind, though admittedly upside-down to how we normally think about mounts. Many similar creatures to the Roc also exist that could serve a similar role, such as the Phoenix, Thunderbird or Griffin. You can always make your own of course.
Of course the roc is almost entirely infeasible without magic as we can see here:What is the maximum size of a flying creature?
That being said given that they are a pre-existing magical creature like the centaur and so will be slightly more acceptable due to that fact.
While the journey won't be tremendously comfortable for the centaur, the speed of flight will make it shorter and thus more bearable. Much in the way that people are willing to endure the cramped conditions of economy class rather then spend a week going by ferry. A leather (or linen if leather makes centaurs understandably uncomfortable) harness could be employed to make the journey more comfortable.
If you want futher story ideas the Roc could follow in the mold Tolkiens Eagles and be sentient creatures that the centaurs must negotiate with in order to obtain the services of.
While this solution does get the taur from place to place (probably not without injury!), you don't really answer the question. The taur needs to be able to MOUNT the beast and RIDE it. Passively being carried is not the same thing as actively riding.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:07
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
Killer Whales.
Firstly, canals have been around for over 4,000 years being extensivley used for transportation of goods and of precious water:
In Egypt, canals date back at least to the time of Pepi I Meryre
(reigned 2332–2283 BC), who ordered a canal built to bypass the
cataract on the Nile near Aswan.
So it's not unreasonable to assume that an inteligent and trainable mammal such as a killer whale would have been bred in captivity and trained:
Whales are trained using a system of reward (called "positive
reinforcement" by trainers) by giving the killer whale food or other
reinforcement when they are successful, and withholding it when they
are not. Secondary reinforcement—things not essential to life,
such as play time, tactile rewards and fun games—can also be used as
rewards.
Are they big enough to be used as a mount? Most assuredly:
Mass: Male: 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), Female: 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult)
Length: Male: 6 – 8 m, Female: 5 – 7 m
Compare horse sizes:
380Kg ..... to 1000Kg (for the very largest breeds)
Over time no doubt the ingenuity of the saddlers in your era would have designed a suitable way to mount the animal - but perhaps this would necessitate the removal of the dorsal fin just as the beast reaches it's forth month of life - the permanent mark of ownership/attachment to a master.
But there is a trade off, males can be agressive - one solution is castration:
Male sheep, cattle, goats and pigs are routinely castrated in order to
reduce aggression and subsequent injury.
This may result in reduced agression without the need for harsh punishments, but what if not everybody had their mount's temperament soothed in this way - that would make for the most dangerous of encounters - leaving you with the dilemma - to live with an agressive mount in the knowledge it'll be able to hold it's own in a fight? - or to have the beast tamed this way and keep your head down, hoping for no such agressive encounters?
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Dragons. Easy to get on, big volume. Might be hard to hold on without thumbs tho 🤷♂️
New contributor
2
Greetings. Your response is being flagged for deletion for being too short. Dragons is a good idea, but you don't address the OP's question very well. How will a hoofed werebeast "easily get on to" a Dragon's back? Take a look at the help center and tour to learn how WB.SE works and how to write a good answer.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:10
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8 Answers
8
active
oldest
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8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
15
down vote
Use Chariots
Others have suggested carts but I will go one step further and suggest chariots. Chariots only have two wheels so they can handle terrain that carts can't. They can be designed to fit just one centaur (with a cart, the centaur(s) would be knocked around a lot) and have firm railings to grab on it (like the ones made for humans have). Or they could fit 2+ centaurs and/or baggage.
They can be pulled by one or two (some pictures I'm seeing show up to 4) horses, other centaurs, oxen, etc. It makes perfect sense to me that even someone who is strong and healthy and built for speed and distance would need a break from traveling, or might need technology to help out for a great journey.
Edited to add:
I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses):
By Álvaro Pérez Vilariño - Flickr: Biga, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
And while I don't know the size of the centaurs, here's a picture of the original Greek horses that used to pull actual chariots. One would fit nicely into the chariot in the photograph.
(from: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/skyros-ponies-horses-rare-breed/)
5
The downside of a chariot is its floor space. A chariot works because humans can easily stand in the diameter of a wheel, so the chariot doesn't need to be longer than that. A centaur will be the length of a horse though, with a leg at each corner. That gives substantial overhang at front and back, making the whole thing very unstable. Centaurs will also be the weight of a horse, so the whole thing will need to be very much stronger, leading to more weight again. A four-wheel cart is really the only option, I think.
– Graham
Nov 24 at 0:06
5
Is the 8 legged horse required, or simply desirable?
– Tim
Nov 24 at 15:41
1
LOL! Just an unfortunate angle of two horses.
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:18
@Graham I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot#/media/…
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:23
2
@Tim Blackadder series1 episode5: (Lord Percy) Look, look, I just can’t take the pressure of all these omens anymore! (Prince Edmund "Blackadder") Percy… (Percy) No, no, really, I’m serious. Only this morning in the courtyard, I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies!! (Edmund) Two horses standing next to each other? (Percy) Yes, I suppose it could have been.
– user3445853
Nov 24 at 20:55
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
15
down vote
Use Chariots
Others have suggested carts but I will go one step further and suggest chariots. Chariots only have two wheels so they can handle terrain that carts can't. They can be designed to fit just one centaur (with a cart, the centaur(s) would be knocked around a lot) and have firm railings to grab on it (like the ones made for humans have). Or they could fit 2+ centaurs and/or baggage.
They can be pulled by one or two (some pictures I'm seeing show up to 4) horses, other centaurs, oxen, etc. It makes perfect sense to me that even someone who is strong and healthy and built for speed and distance would need a break from traveling, or might need technology to help out for a great journey.
Edited to add:
I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses):
By Álvaro Pérez Vilariño - Flickr: Biga, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
And while I don't know the size of the centaurs, here's a picture of the original Greek horses that used to pull actual chariots. One would fit nicely into the chariot in the photograph.
(from: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/skyros-ponies-horses-rare-breed/)
5
The downside of a chariot is its floor space. A chariot works because humans can easily stand in the diameter of a wheel, so the chariot doesn't need to be longer than that. A centaur will be the length of a horse though, with a leg at each corner. That gives substantial overhang at front and back, making the whole thing very unstable. Centaurs will also be the weight of a horse, so the whole thing will need to be very much stronger, leading to more weight again. A four-wheel cart is really the only option, I think.
– Graham
Nov 24 at 0:06
5
Is the 8 legged horse required, or simply desirable?
– Tim
Nov 24 at 15:41
1
LOL! Just an unfortunate angle of two horses.
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:18
@Graham I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot#/media/…
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:23
2
@Tim Blackadder series1 episode5: (Lord Percy) Look, look, I just can’t take the pressure of all these omens anymore! (Prince Edmund "Blackadder") Percy… (Percy) No, no, really, I’m serious. Only this morning in the courtyard, I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies!! (Edmund) Two horses standing next to each other? (Percy) Yes, I suppose it could have been.
– user3445853
Nov 24 at 20:55
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
15
down vote
up vote
15
down vote
Use Chariots
Others have suggested carts but I will go one step further and suggest chariots. Chariots only have two wheels so they can handle terrain that carts can't. They can be designed to fit just one centaur (with a cart, the centaur(s) would be knocked around a lot) and have firm railings to grab on it (like the ones made for humans have). Or they could fit 2+ centaurs and/or baggage.
They can be pulled by one or two (some pictures I'm seeing show up to 4) horses, other centaurs, oxen, etc. It makes perfect sense to me that even someone who is strong and healthy and built for speed and distance would need a break from traveling, or might need technology to help out for a great journey.
Edited to add:
I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses):
By Álvaro Pérez Vilariño - Flickr: Biga, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
And while I don't know the size of the centaurs, here's a picture of the original Greek horses that used to pull actual chariots. One would fit nicely into the chariot in the photograph.
(from: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/skyros-ponies-horses-rare-breed/)
Use Chariots
Others have suggested carts but I will go one step further and suggest chariots. Chariots only have two wheels so they can handle terrain that carts can't. They can be designed to fit just one centaur (with a cart, the centaur(s) would be knocked around a lot) and have firm railings to grab on it (like the ones made for humans have). Or they could fit 2+ centaurs and/or baggage.
They can be pulled by one or two (some pictures I'm seeing show up to 4) horses, other centaurs, oxen, etc. It makes perfect sense to me that even someone who is strong and healthy and built for speed and distance would need a break from traveling, or might need technology to help out for a great journey.
Edited to add:
I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses):
By Álvaro Pérez Vilariño - Flickr: Biga, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
And while I don't know the size of the centaurs, here's a picture of the original Greek horses that used to pull actual chariots. One would fit nicely into the chariot in the photograph.
(from: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/skyros-ponies-horses-rare-breed/)
edited Nov 24 at 17:35
answered Nov 23 at 15:59
Cyn
2,221321
2,221321
5
The downside of a chariot is its floor space. A chariot works because humans can easily stand in the diameter of a wheel, so the chariot doesn't need to be longer than that. A centaur will be the length of a horse though, with a leg at each corner. That gives substantial overhang at front and back, making the whole thing very unstable. Centaurs will also be the weight of a horse, so the whole thing will need to be very much stronger, leading to more weight again. A four-wheel cart is really the only option, I think.
– Graham
Nov 24 at 0:06
5
Is the 8 legged horse required, or simply desirable?
– Tim
Nov 24 at 15:41
1
LOL! Just an unfortunate angle of two horses.
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:18
@Graham I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot#/media/…
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:23
2
@Tim Blackadder series1 episode5: (Lord Percy) Look, look, I just can’t take the pressure of all these omens anymore! (Prince Edmund "Blackadder") Percy… (Percy) No, no, really, I’m serious. Only this morning in the courtyard, I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies!! (Edmund) Two horses standing next to each other? (Percy) Yes, I suppose it could have been.
– user3445853
Nov 24 at 20:55
|
show 1 more comment
5
The downside of a chariot is its floor space. A chariot works because humans can easily stand in the diameter of a wheel, so the chariot doesn't need to be longer than that. A centaur will be the length of a horse though, with a leg at each corner. That gives substantial overhang at front and back, making the whole thing very unstable. Centaurs will also be the weight of a horse, so the whole thing will need to be very much stronger, leading to more weight again. A four-wheel cart is really the only option, I think.
– Graham
Nov 24 at 0:06
5
Is the 8 legged horse required, or simply desirable?
– Tim
Nov 24 at 15:41
1
LOL! Just an unfortunate angle of two horses.
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:18
@Graham I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot#/media/…
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:23
2
@Tim Blackadder series1 episode5: (Lord Percy) Look, look, I just can’t take the pressure of all these omens anymore! (Prince Edmund "Blackadder") Percy… (Percy) No, no, really, I’m serious. Only this morning in the courtyard, I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies!! (Edmund) Two horses standing next to each other? (Percy) Yes, I suppose it could have been.
– user3445853
Nov 24 at 20:55
5
5
The downside of a chariot is its floor space. A chariot works because humans can easily stand in the diameter of a wheel, so the chariot doesn't need to be longer than that. A centaur will be the length of a horse though, with a leg at each corner. That gives substantial overhang at front and back, making the whole thing very unstable. Centaurs will also be the weight of a horse, so the whole thing will need to be very much stronger, leading to more weight again. A four-wheel cart is really the only option, I think.
– Graham
Nov 24 at 0:06
The downside of a chariot is its floor space. A chariot works because humans can easily stand in the diameter of a wheel, so the chariot doesn't need to be longer than that. A centaur will be the length of a horse though, with a leg at each corner. That gives substantial overhang at front and back, making the whole thing very unstable. Centaurs will also be the weight of a horse, so the whole thing will need to be very much stronger, leading to more weight again. A four-wheel cart is really the only option, I think.
– Graham
Nov 24 at 0:06
5
5
Is the 8 legged horse required, or simply desirable?
– Tim
Nov 24 at 15:41
Is the 8 legged horse required, or simply desirable?
– Tim
Nov 24 at 15:41
1
1
LOL! Just an unfortunate angle of two horses.
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:18
LOL! Just an unfortunate angle of two horses.
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:18
@Graham I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot#/media/…
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:23
@Graham I'm seeing many pictures of 2-wheeled chariots that hold 2 people and have enough length to carry a centaur. It appears the wheels go back a bit more. Here's one real life example (I assume the centaur's horse body is smaller than these huge draft horses): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot#/media/…
– Cyn
Nov 24 at 17:23
2
2
@Tim Blackadder series1 episode5: (Lord Percy) Look, look, I just can’t take the pressure of all these omens anymore! (Prince Edmund "Blackadder") Percy… (Percy) No, no, really, I’m serious. Only this morning in the courtyard, I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies!! (Edmund) Two horses standing next to each other? (Percy) Yes, I suppose it could have been.
– user3445853
Nov 24 at 20:55
@Tim Blackadder series1 episode5: (Lord Percy) Look, look, I just can’t take the pressure of all these omens anymore! (Prince Edmund "Blackadder") Percy… (Percy) No, no, really, I’m serious. Only this morning in the courtyard, I saw a horse with two heads and two bodies!! (Edmund) Two horses standing next to each other? (Percy) Yes, I suppose it could have been.
– user3445853
Nov 24 at 20:55
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
7
down vote
Since we're considering centaurs I feel free to invent a creature.
- Let's start with this charming little guy. I give you... the Texas Horned Lizard (Source).
Lizards can really haul the mail. They're sleek, fast, good jumpers, and notice almost everything around them. That charming little tyke is a bit small for our purposes, so let's modify him a bit.
- He needs to be the better part of 7 meters nose-to-tail.
- He needs to carry a bit of weight — 675 Kg worth of centaur plus whatever is reasonable for them to carry with them. Let's give him two extra feet (6 legs).
- His broad back is a great starting point, but let's provide a bit of an evolutionary convenience. Rather than one spine down the middle, let's give him two spines for strength and flexibility. The result is a hammock in the center of the back that's just right for a centaur to lie down in.
And if you really want to amp this up a bit, give him a Frilled Lizard's neck flap. It not only scares the crap out of people, but it provides remarkable protection for the centaur (if a bit of visibility hindrance). (Source) Remember, 7 meters long, six legs, that flap would be reasonably naturally armored.
I definitely wouldn't want to be the fool facing squad of these beauties.
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
Since we're considering centaurs I feel free to invent a creature.
- Let's start with this charming little guy. I give you... the Texas Horned Lizard (Source).
Lizards can really haul the mail. They're sleek, fast, good jumpers, and notice almost everything around them. That charming little tyke is a bit small for our purposes, so let's modify him a bit.
- He needs to be the better part of 7 meters nose-to-tail.
- He needs to carry a bit of weight — 675 Kg worth of centaur plus whatever is reasonable for them to carry with them. Let's give him two extra feet (6 legs).
- His broad back is a great starting point, but let's provide a bit of an evolutionary convenience. Rather than one spine down the middle, let's give him two spines for strength and flexibility. The result is a hammock in the center of the back that's just right for a centaur to lie down in.
And if you really want to amp this up a bit, give him a Frilled Lizard's neck flap. It not only scares the crap out of people, but it provides remarkable protection for the centaur (if a bit of visibility hindrance). (Source) Remember, 7 meters long, six legs, that flap would be reasonably naturally armored.
I definitely wouldn't want to be the fool facing squad of these beauties.
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
Since we're considering centaurs I feel free to invent a creature.
- Let's start with this charming little guy. I give you... the Texas Horned Lizard (Source).
Lizards can really haul the mail. They're sleek, fast, good jumpers, and notice almost everything around them. That charming little tyke is a bit small for our purposes, so let's modify him a bit.
- He needs to be the better part of 7 meters nose-to-tail.
- He needs to carry a bit of weight — 675 Kg worth of centaur plus whatever is reasonable for them to carry with them. Let's give him two extra feet (6 legs).
- His broad back is a great starting point, but let's provide a bit of an evolutionary convenience. Rather than one spine down the middle, let's give him two spines for strength and flexibility. The result is a hammock in the center of the back that's just right for a centaur to lie down in.
And if you really want to amp this up a bit, give him a Frilled Lizard's neck flap. It not only scares the crap out of people, but it provides remarkable protection for the centaur (if a bit of visibility hindrance). (Source) Remember, 7 meters long, six legs, that flap would be reasonably naturally armored.
I definitely wouldn't want to be the fool facing squad of these beauties.
Since we're considering centaurs I feel free to invent a creature.
- Let's start with this charming little guy. I give you... the Texas Horned Lizard (Source).
Lizards can really haul the mail. They're sleek, fast, good jumpers, and notice almost everything around them. That charming little tyke is a bit small for our purposes, so let's modify him a bit.
- He needs to be the better part of 7 meters nose-to-tail.
- He needs to carry a bit of weight — 675 Kg worth of centaur plus whatever is reasonable for them to carry with them. Let's give him two extra feet (6 legs).
- His broad back is a great starting point, but let's provide a bit of an evolutionary convenience. Rather than one spine down the middle, let's give him two spines for strength and flexibility. The result is a hammock in the center of the back that's just right for a centaur to lie down in.
And if you really want to amp this up a bit, give him a Frilled Lizard's neck flap. It not only scares the crap out of people, but it provides remarkable protection for the centaur (if a bit of visibility hindrance). (Source) Remember, 7 meters long, six legs, that flap would be reasonably naturally armored.
I definitely wouldn't want to be the fool facing squad of these beauties.
answered Nov 23 at 17:17
JBH
37.6k583178
37.6k583178
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
The sheer weight of a centaur's body would make travelling 'piggy back' for any appreciable distance very uncomfortable.
I suggest a specially-designed sling with leg holes to support the passenger. They could then be supported between two draft horse.
- High-status ones have centaur servants (or horses). Of course they are capable of walking themselves (apart from during sickness or old age)
The carriers work one at each 'corner'.
- A horse and carriage would work well - again with a specially designed sling.
1
I'm not convinced a horse's pelvis could handle the sitting position shown.
– JBH
Nov 23 at 17:05
Neither am I but a suitably built up snug-fitting saddle or even a pair of reinforced shorts could presumably save the situation.
– chasly from UK
Nov 23 at 17:08
1
(Where'd you get that gif?)
– BruceWayne
Nov 24 at 6:48
2
The horse in that GIF is misproportioned... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
– wizzwizz4
Nov 24 at 8:42
1
@BruceWayne - coub.com/chuck.choovack
– chasly from UK
Nov 24 at 9:00
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
The sheer weight of a centaur's body would make travelling 'piggy back' for any appreciable distance very uncomfortable.
I suggest a specially-designed sling with leg holes to support the passenger. They could then be supported between two draft horse.
- High-status ones have centaur servants (or horses). Of course they are capable of walking themselves (apart from during sickness or old age)
The carriers work one at each 'corner'.
- A horse and carriage would work well - again with a specially designed sling.
1
I'm not convinced a horse's pelvis could handle the sitting position shown.
– JBH
Nov 23 at 17:05
Neither am I but a suitably built up snug-fitting saddle or even a pair of reinforced shorts could presumably save the situation.
– chasly from UK
Nov 23 at 17:08
1
(Where'd you get that gif?)
– BruceWayne
Nov 24 at 6:48
2
The horse in that GIF is misproportioned... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
– wizzwizz4
Nov 24 at 8:42
1
@BruceWayne - coub.com/chuck.choovack
– chasly from UK
Nov 24 at 9:00
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
The sheer weight of a centaur's body would make travelling 'piggy back' for any appreciable distance very uncomfortable.
I suggest a specially-designed sling with leg holes to support the passenger. They could then be supported between two draft horse.
- High-status ones have centaur servants (or horses). Of course they are capable of walking themselves (apart from during sickness or old age)
The carriers work one at each 'corner'.
- A horse and carriage would work well - again with a specially designed sling.
The sheer weight of a centaur's body would make travelling 'piggy back' for any appreciable distance very uncomfortable.
I suggest a specially-designed sling with leg holes to support the passenger. They could then be supported between two draft horse.
- High-status ones have centaur servants (or horses). Of course they are capable of walking themselves (apart from during sickness or old age)
The carriers work one at each 'corner'.
- A horse and carriage would work well - again with a specially designed sling.
edited Nov 23 at 16:48
answered Nov 23 at 15:35
chasly from UK
8,59134187
8,59134187
1
I'm not convinced a horse's pelvis could handle the sitting position shown.
– JBH
Nov 23 at 17:05
Neither am I but a suitably built up snug-fitting saddle or even a pair of reinforced shorts could presumably save the situation.
– chasly from UK
Nov 23 at 17:08
1
(Where'd you get that gif?)
– BruceWayne
Nov 24 at 6:48
2
The horse in that GIF is misproportioned... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
– wizzwizz4
Nov 24 at 8:42
1
@BruceWayne - coub.com/chuck.choovack
– chasly from UK
Nov 24 at 9:00
add a comment |
1
I'm not convinced a horse's pelvis could handle the sitting position shown.
– JBH
Nov 23 at 17:05
Neither am I but a suitably built up snug-fitting saddle or even a pair of reinforced shorts could presumably save the situation.
– chasly from UK
Nov 23 at 17:08
1
(Where'd you get that gif?)
– BruceWayne
Nov 24 at 6:48
2
The horse in that GIF is misproportioned... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
– wizzwizz4
Nov 24 at 8:42
1
@BruceWayne - coub.com/chuck.choovack
– chasly from UK
Nov 24 at 9:00
1
1
I'm not convinced a horse's pelvis could handle the sitting position shown.
– JBH
Nov 23 at 17:05
I'm not convinced a horse's pelvis could handle the sitting position shown.
– JBH
Nov 23 at 17:05
Neither am I but a suitably built up snug-fitting saddle or even a pair of reinforced shorts could presumably save the situation.
– chasly from UK
Nov 23 at 17:08
Neither am I but a suitably built up snug-fitting saddle or even a pair of reinforced shorts could presumably save the situation.
– chasly from UK
Nov 23 at 17:08
1
1
(Where'd you get that gif?)
– BruceWayne
Nov 24 at 6:48
(Where'd you get that gif?)
– BruceWayne
Nov 24 at 6:48
2
2
The horse in that GIF is misproportioned... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
– wizzwizz4
Nov 24 at 8:42
The horse in that GIF is misproportioned... but I can't quite put my finger on it.
– wizzwizz4
Nov 24 at 8:42
1
1
@BruceWayne - coub.com/chuck.choovack
– chasly from UK
Nov 24 at 9:00
@BruceWayne - coub.com/chuck.choovack
– chasly from UK
Nov 24 at 9:00
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
How about Elaphas maximus, Loxodonta africana, or Loxodonta cyclotis?
The centaur could ride up an adjustable ramp to the back of the Elaphus or Loxodonta and then stand or lie down on the back. Or the Elaphus or Loxodonta could get down on all four knees with its stomach on the ground and the centaur could climb onto the back before the Elaphus or Loxondonta stood up.
13
If you mean "an elephant", why not say "an elephant"?
– Level River St
Nov 23 at 20:35
Maybe the point is: “invent an animal”?
– Josejulio
Nov 24 at 3:14
1
This lists the one animal alive that wouldn't be squished and or decidedly become or is hostile.
– Mazura
Nov 24 at 18:13
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
How about Elaphas maximus, Loxodonta africana, or Loxodonta cyclotis?
The centaur could ride up an adjustable ramp to the back of the Elaphus or Loxodonta and then stand or lie down on the back. Or the Elaphus or Loxodonta could get down on all four knees with its stomach on the ground and the centaur could climb onto the back before the Elaphus or Loxondonta stood up.
13
If you mean "an elephant", why not say "an elephant"?
– Level River St
Nov 23 at 20:35
Maybe the point is: “invent an animal”?
– Josejulio
Nov 24 at 3:14
1
This lists the one animal alive that wouldn't be squished and or decidedly become or is hostile.
– Mazura
Nov 24 at 18:13
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
How about Elaphas maximus, Loxodonta africana, or Loxodonta cyclotis?
The centaur could ride up an adjustable ramp to the back of the Elaphus or Loxodonta and then stand or lie down on the back. Or the Elaphus or Loxodonta could get down on all four knees with its stomach on the ground and the centaur could climb onto the back before the Elaphus or Loxondonta stood up.
How about Elaphas maximus, Loxodonta africana, or Loxodonta cyclotis?
The centaur could ride up an adjustable ramp to the back of the Elaphus or Loxodonta and then stand or lie down on the back. Or the Elaphus or Loxodonta could get down on all four knees with its stomach on the ground and the centaur could climb onto the back before the Elaphus or Loxondonta stood up.
edited Nov 25 at 0:37
answered Nov 23 at 19:46
M. A. Golding
7,366423
7,366423
13
If you mean "an elephant", why not say "an elephant"?
– Level River St
Nov 23 at 20:35
Maybe the point is: “invent an animal”?
– Josejulio
Nov 24 at 3:14
1
This lists the one animal alive that wouldn't be squished and or decidedly become or is hostile.
– Mazura
Nov 24 at 18:13
add a comment |
13
If you mean "an elephant", why not say "an elephant"?
– Level River St
Nov 23 at 20:35
Maybe the point is: “invent an animal”?
– Josejulio
Nov 24 at 3:14
1
This lists the one animal alive that wouldn't be squished and or decidedly become or is hostile.
– Mazura
Nov 24 at 18:13
13
13
If you mean "an elephant", why not say "an elephant"?
– Level River St
Nov 23 at 20:35
If you mean "an elephant", why not say "an elephant"?
– Level River St
Nov 23 at 20:35
Maybe the point is: “invent an animal”?
– Josejulio
Nov 24 at 3:14
Maybe the point is: “invent an animal”?
– Josejulio
Nov 24 at 3:14
1
1
This lists the one animal alive that wouldn't be squished and or decidedly become or is hostile.
– Mazura
Nov 24 at 18:13
This lists the one animal alive that wouldn't be squished and or decidedly become or is hostile.
– Mazura
Nov 24 at 18:13
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Bigger horses
Might seem glib, but it’s the best I’ve got. If your centaurs are relatively small then straddling the back of a large breed (A shire horse of some kind, or a Clydesdale ) that is bred for carrying large loads with. Out. Stopping. Is probably your best bet. They’re relatively simple to mount if you have some wooden blocks and can be ridden much as a human rides a jet ski (knees tucked up at the sides) to keep the weight distributed nearer their hips and shoulders. As far as speed over distance goes they can plod away for ages without needing to stop. They were bred for it, after all.
Presumably your half-horse horse breeders will be even better at breeding for big, strong, fast horses, eventually getting back to something more like medieval era warhorse breeds.
Just hope they can get over the weirdness...
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Bigger horses
Might seem glib, but it’s the best I’ve got. If your centaurs are relatively small then straddling the back of a large breed (A shire horse of some kind, or a Clydesdale ) that is bred for carrying large loads with. Out. Stopping. Is probably your best bet. They’re relatively simple to mount if you have some wooden blocks and can be ridden much as a human rides a jet ski (knees tucked up at the sides) to keep the weight distributed nearer their hips and shoulders. As far as speed over distance goes they can plod away for ages without needing to stop. They were bred for it, after all.
Presumably your half-horse horse breeders will be even better at breeding for big, strong, fast horses, eventually getting back to something more like medieval era warhorse breeds.
Just hope they can get over the weirdness...
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Bigger horses
Might seem glib, but it’s the best I’ve got. If your centaurs are relatively small then straddling the back of a large breed (A shire horse of some kind, or a Clydesdale ) that is bred for carrying large loads with. Out. Stopping. Is probably your best bet. They’re relatively simple to mount if you have some wooden blocks and can be ridden much as a human rides a jet ski (knees tucked up at the sides) to keep the weight distributed nearer their hips and shoulders. As far as speed over distance goes they can plod away for ages without needing to stop. They were bred for it, after all.
Presumably your half-horse horse breeders will be even better at breeding for big, strong, fast horses, eventually getting back to something more like medieval era warhorse breeds.
Just hope they can get over the weirdness...
Bigger horses
Might seem glib, but it’s the best I’ve got. If your centaurs are relatively small then straddling the back of a large breed (A shire horse of some kind, or a Clydesdale ) that is bred for carrying large loads with. Out. Stopping. Is probably your best bet. They’re relatively simple to mount if you have some wooden blocks and can be ridden much as a human rides a jet ski (knees tucked up at the sides) to keep the weight distributed nearer their hips and shoulders. As far as speed over distance goes they can plod away for ages without needing to stop. They were bred for it, after all.
Presumably your half-horse horse breeders will be even better at breeding for big, strong, fast horses, eventually getting back to something more like medieval era warhorse breeds.
Just hope they can get over the weirdness...
edited Nov 23 at 16:06
answered Nov 23 at 15:10
Joe Bloggs
33.8k1997169
33.8k1997169
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
The mythical Roc is a pre-made mythical creature that specifically carries cattle around. If such creatures exist in your world it seems reasonable that centaurs might seek them out to use as "mounts" of a kind, though admittedly upside-down to how we normally think about mounts. Many similar creatures to the Roc also exist that could serve a similar role, such as the Phoenix, Thunderbird or Griffin. You can always make your own of course.
Of course the roc is almost entirely infeasible without magic as we can see here:What is the maximum size of a flying creature?
That being said given that they are a pre-existing magical creature like the centaur and so will be slightly more acceptable due to that fact.
While the journey won't be tremendously comfortable for the centaur, the speed of flight will make it shorter and thus more bearable. Much in the way that people are willing to endure the cramped conditions of economy class rather then spend a week going by ferry. A leather (or linen if leather makes centaurs understandably uncomfortable) harness could be employed to make the journey more comfortable.
If you want futher story ideas the Roc could follow in the mold Tolkiens Eagles and be sentient creatures that the centaurs must negotiate with in order to obtain the services of.
While this solution does get the taur from place to place (probably not without injury!), you don't really answer the question. The taur needs to be able to MOUNT the beast and RIDE it. Passively being carried is not the same thing as actively riding.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:07
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
The mythical Roc is a pre-made mythical creature that specifically carries cattle around. If such creatures exist in your world it seems reasonable that centaurs might seek them out to use as "mounts" of a kind, though admittedly upside-down to how we normally think about mounts. Many similar creatures to the Roc also exist that could serve a similar role, such as the Phoenix, Thunderbird or Griffin. You can always make your own of course.
Of course the roc is almost entirely infeasible without magic as we can see here:What is the maximum size of a flying creature?
That being said given that they are a pre-existing magical creature like the centaur and so will be slightly more acceptable due to that fact.
While the journey won't be tremendously comfortable for the centaur, the speed of flight will make it shorter and thus more bearable. Much in the way that people are willing to endure the cramped conditions of economy class rather then spend a week going by ferry. A leather (or linen if leather makes centaurs understandably uncomfortable) harness could be employed to make the journey more comfortable.
If you want futher story ideas the Roc could follow in the mold Tolkiens Eagles and be sentient creatures that the centaurs must negotiate with in order to obtain the services of.
While this solution does get the taur from place to place (probably not without injury!), you don't really answer the question. The taur needs to be able to MOUNT the beast and RIDE it. Passively being carried is not the same thing as actively riding.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:07
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
The mythical Roc is a pre-made mythical creature that specifically carries cattle around. If such creatures exist in your world it seems reasonable that centaurs might seek them out to use as "mounts" of a kind, though admittedly upside-down to how we normally think about mounts. Many similar creatures to the Roc also exist that could serve a similar role, such as the Phoenix, Thunderbird or Griffin. You can always make your own of course.
Of course the roc is almost entirely infeasible without magic as we can see here:What is the maximum size of a flying creature?
That being said given that they are a pre-existing magical creature like the centaur and so will be slightly more acceptable due to that fact.
While the journey won't be tremendously comfortable for the centaur, the speed of flight will make it shorter and thus more bearable. Much in the way that people are willing to endure the cramped conditions of economy class rather then spend a week going by ferry. A leather (or linen if leather makes centaurs understandably uncomfortable) harness could be employed to make the journey more comfortable.
If you want futher story ideas the Roc could follow in the mold Tolkiens Eagles and be sentient creatures that the centaurs must negotiate with in order to obtain the services of.
The mythical Roc is a pre-made mythical creature that specifically carries cattle around. If such creatures exist in your world it seems reasonable that centaurs might seek them out to use as "mounts" of a kind, though admittedly upside-down to how we normally think about mounts. Many similar creatures to the Roc also exist that could serve a similar role, such as the Phoenix, Thunderbird or Griffin. You can always make your own of course.
Of course the roc is almost entirely infeasible without magic as we can see here:What is the maximum size of a flying creature?
That being said given that they are a pre-existing magical creature like the centaur and so will be slightly more acceptable due to that fact.
While the journey won't be tremendously comfortable for the centaur, the speed of flight will make it shorter and thus more bearable. Much in the way that people are willing to endure the cramped conditions of economy class rather then spend a week going by ferry. A leather (or linen if leather makes centaurs understandably uncomfortable) harness could be employed to make the journey more comfortable.
If you want futher story ideas the Roc could follow in the mold Tolkiens Eagles and be sentient creatures that the centaurs must negotiate with in order to obtain the services of.
answered Nov 24 at 12:11
Ummdustry
3,684721
3,684721
While this solution does get the taur from place to place (probably not without injury!), you don't really answer the question. The taur needs to be able to MOUNT the beast and RIDE it. Passively being carried is not the same thing as actively riding.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:07
add a comment |
While this solution does get the taur from place to place (probably not without injury!), you don't really answer the question. The taur needs to be able to MOUNT the beast and RIDE it. Passively being carried is not the same thing as actively riding.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:07
While this solution does get the taur from place to place (probably not without injury!), you don't really answer the question. The taur needs to be able to MOUNT the beast and RIDE it. Passively being carried is not the same thing as actively riding.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:07
While this solution does get the taur from place to place (probably not without injury!), you don't really answer the question. The taur needs to be able to MOUNT the beast and RIDE it. Passively being carried is not the same thing as actively riding.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:07
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
Killer Whales.
Firstly, canals have been around for over 4,000 years being extensivley used for transportation of goods and of precious water:
In Egypt, canals date back at least to the time of Pepi I Meryre
(reigned 2332–2283 BC), who ordered a canal built to bypass the
cataract on the Nile near Aswan.
So it's not unreasonable to assume that an inteligent and trainable mammal such as a killer whale would have been bred in captivity and trained:
Whales are trained using a system of reward (called "positive
reinforcement" by trainers) by giving the killer whale food or other
reinforcement when they are successful, and withholding it when they
are not. Secondary reinforcement—things not essential to life,
such as play time, tactile rewards and fun games—can also be used as
rewards.
Are they big enough to be used as a mount? Most assuredly:
Mass: Male: 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), Female: 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult)
Length: Male: 6 – 8 m, Female: 5 – 7 m
Compare horse sizes:
380Kg ..... to 1000Kg (for the very largest breeds)
Over time no doubt the ingenuity of the saddlers in your era would have designed a suitable way to mount the animal - but perhaps this would necessitate the removal of the dorsal fin just as the beast reaches it's forth month of life - the permanent mark of ownership/attachment to a master.
But there is a trade off, males can be agressive - one solution is castration:
Male sheep, cattle, goats and pigs are routinely castrated in order to
reduce aggression and subsequent injury.
This may result in reduced agression without the need for harsh punishments, but what if not everybody had their mount's temperament soothed in this way - that would make for the most dangerous of encounters - leaving you with the dilemma - to live with an agressive mount in the knowledge it'll be able to hold it's own in a fight? - or to have the beast tamed this way and keep your head down, hoping for no such agressive encounters?
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
Killer Whales.
Firstly, canals have been around for over 4,000 years being extensivley used for transportation of goods and of precious water:
In Egypt, canals date back at least to the time of Pepi I Meryre
(reigned 2332–2283 BC), who ordered a canal built to bypass the
cataract on the Nile near Aswan.
So it's not unreasonable to assume that an inteligent and trainable mammal such as a killer whale would have been bred in captivity and trained:
Whales are trained using a system of reward (called "positive
reinforcement" by trainers) by giving the killer whale food or other
reinforcement when they are successful, and withholding it when they
are not. Secondary reinforcement—things not essential to life,
such as play time, tactile rewards and fun games—can also be used as
rewards.
Are they big enough to be used as a mount? Most assuredly:
Mass: Male: 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), Female: 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult)
Length: Male: 6 – 8 m, Female: 5 – 7 m
Compare horse sizes:
380Kg ..... to 1000Kg (for the very largest breeds)
Over time no doubt the ingenuity of the saddlers in your era would have designed a suitable way to mount the animal - but perhaps this would necessitate the removal of the dorsal fin just as the beast reaches it's forth month of life - the permanent mark of ownership/attachment to a master.
But there is a trade off, males can be agressive - one solution is castration:
Male sheep, cattle, goats and pigs are routinely castrated in order to
reduce aggression and subsequent injury.
This may result in reduced agression without the need for harsh punishments, but what if not everybody had their mount's temperament soothed in this way - that would make for the most dangerous of encounters - leaving you with the dilemma - to live with an agressive mount in the knowledge it'll be able to hold it's own in a fight? - or to have the beast tamed this way and keep your head down, hoping for no such agressive encounters?
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Killer Whales.
Firstly, canals have been around for over 4,000 years being extensivley used for transportation of goods and of precious water:
In Egypt, canals date back at least to the time of Pepi I Meryre
(reigned 2332–2283 BC), who ordered a canal built to bypass the
cataract on the Nile near Aswan.
So it's not unreasonable to assume that an inteligent and trainable mammal such as a killer whale would have been bred in captivity and trained:
Whales are trained using a system of reward (called "positive
reinforcement" by trainers) by giving the killer whale food or other
reinforcement when they are successful, and withholding it when they
are not. Secondary reinforcement—things not essential to life,
such as play time, tactile rewards and fun games—can also be used as
rewards.
Are they big enough to be used as a mount? Most assuredly:
Mass: Male: 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), Female: 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult)
Length: Male: 6 – 8 m, Female: 5 – 7 m
Compare horse sizes:
380Kg ..... to 1000Kg (for the very largest breeds)
Over time no doubt the ingenuity of the saddlers in your era would have designed a suitable way to mount the animal - but perhaps this would necessitate the removal of the dorsal fin just as the beast reaches it's forth month of life - the permanent mark of ownership/attachment to a master.
But there is a trade off, males can be agressive - one solution is castration:
Male sheep, cattle, goats and pigs are routinely castrated in order to
reduce aggression and subsequent injury.
This may result in reduced agression without the need for harsh punishments, but what if not everybody had their mount's temperament soothed in this way - that would make for the most dangerous of encounters - leaving you with the dilemma - to live with an agressive mount in the knowledge it'll be able to hold it's own in a fight? - or to have the beast tamed this way and keep your head down, hoping for no such agressive encounters?
Killer Whales.
Firstly, canals have been around for over 4,000 years being extensivley used for transportation of goods and of precious water:
In Egypt, canals date back at least to the time of Pepi I Meryre
(reigned 2332–2283 BC), who ordered a canal built to bypass the
cataract on the Nile near Aswan.
So it's not unreasonable to assume that an inteligent and trainable mammal such as a killer whale would have been bred in captivity and trained:
Whales are trained using a system of reward (called "positive
reinforcement" by trainers) by giving the killer whale food or other
reinforcement when they are successful, and withholding it when they
are not. Secondary reinforcement—things not essential to life,
such as play time, tactile rewards and fun games—can also be used as
rewards.
Are they big enough to be used as a mount? Most assuredly:
Mass: Male: 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), Female: 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult)
Length: Male: 6 – 8 m, Female: 5 – 7 m
Compare horse sizes:
380Kg ..... to 1000Kg (for the very largest breeds)
Over time no doubt the ingenuity of the saddlers in your era would have designed a suitable way to mount the animal - but perhaps this would necessitate the removal of the dorsal fin just as the beast reaches it's forth month of life - the permanent mark of ownership/attachment to a master.
But there is a trade off, males can be agressive - one solution is castration:
Male sheep, cattle, goats and pigs are routinely castrated in order to
reduce aggression and subsequent injury.
This may result in reduced agression without the need for harsh punishments, but what if not everybody had their mount's temperament soothed in this way - that would make for the most dangerous of encounters - leaving you with the dilemma - to live with an agressive mount in the knowledge it'll be able to hold it's own in a fight? - or to have the beast tamed this way and keep your head down, hoping for no such agressive encounters?
edited Nov 24 at 16:36
answered Nov 24 at 16:30
Duckisaduckisaduck
1,03311
1,03311
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Dragons. Easy to get on, big volume. Might be hard to hold on without thumbs tho 🤷♂️
New contributor
2
Greetings. Your response is being flagged for deletion for being too short. Dragons is a good idea, but you don't address the OP's question very well. How will a hoofed werebeast "easily get on to" a Dragon's back? Take a look at the help center and tour to learn how WB.SE works and how to write a good answer.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:10
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Dragons. Easy to get on, big volume. Might be hard to hold on without thumbs tho 🤷♂️
New contributor
2
Greetings. Your response is being flagged for deletion for being too short. Dragons is a good idea, but you don't address the OP's question very well. How will a hoofed werebeast "easily get on to" a Dragon's back? Take a look at the help center and tour to learn how WB.SE works and how to write a good answer.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:10
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Dragons. Easy to get on, big volume. Might be hard to hold on without thumbs tho 🤷♂️
New contributor
Dragons. Easy to get on, big volume. Might be hard to hold on without thumbs tho 🤷♂️
New contributor
New contributor
answered Nov 24 at 12:27
user007
1011
1011
New contributor
New contributor
2
Greetings. Your response is being flagged for deletion for being too short. Dragons is a good idea, but you don't address the OP's question very well. How will a hoofed werebeast "easily get on to" a Dragon's back? Take a look at the help center and tour to learn how WB.SE works and how to write a good answer.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:10
add a comment |
2
Greetings. Your response is being flagged for deletion for being too short. Dragons is a good idea, but you don't address the OP's question very well. How will a hoofed werebeast "easily get on to" a Dragon's back? Take a look at the help center and tour to learn how WB.SE works and how to write a good answer.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:10
2
2
Greetings. Your response is being flagged for deletion for being too short. Dragons is a good idea, but you don't address the OP's question very well. How will a hoofed werebeast "easily get on to" a Dragon's back? Take a look at the help center and tour to learn how WB.SE works and how to write a good answer.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:10
Greetings. Your response is being flagged for deletion for being too short. Dragons is a good idea, but you don't address the OP's question very well. How will a hoofed werebeast "easily get on to" a Dragon's back? Take a look at the help center and tour to learn how WB.SE works and how to write a good answer.
– elemtilas
Nov 24 at 13:10
add a comment |
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9
2 questions: 1:Why would they want to do this? 2: are we allowed saddles/howdahs?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 14:57
1
So speed isn’t the issue, laziness is?
– Joe Bloggs
Nov 23 at 15:01
8
@AzaleaGarden What animal on earth has a better ability to travel long distances without getting tired than a horse? They are literally designed for that, they are the temperate world's champion long-distance migrator. This doesn't make any sense.
– kingledion
Nov 23 at 15:01
4
@kingledion Actually horses would stop walking when tired. Humans are the only animals that are so stubborn that they will continue to walk even when tired, blisters on foot and not feed.
– SZCZERZO KŁY
Nov 23 at 15:39
4
Humans can run for hours without tiring, your lazy centaurs can just ride humans.
– 001003000420004200R5
Nov 23 at 16:22