D&D 5E Miles per day on horseback: how many?

[Quartz]

This video might be of interest.

[video=youtube;KLbeUCFLqns]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLbeUCFLqns[/video]

 

[Harzel]

In my games, I usually have the party walking at 4 miles an hour.

Just curious: did you choose this pace because you think it is realistic or for some other reason?

 

[WhosDaDungeonMaster]

So the video information is spot-on with what I said: 40 miles a day is not a big deal by alternating trotting, walking, and maybe a canter now and then, with rest periods. I would consider this the normal pace over good terrain.

It got me thinking about the ability to "push" the animal and would be an excellent use for Animal Handling. Making the effort to maintain a "fast" pace over the entire day might require a DC 10 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check, for instance.

 

[iserith]

So the video information is spot-on with what I said: 40 miles a day is not a big deal by alternating trotting, walking, and maybe a canter now and then, with rest periods. I would consider this the normal pace over good terrain.

It got me thinking about the ability to "push" the animal and would be an excellent use for Animal Handling. Making the effort to maintain a "fast" pace over the entire day might require a DC 10 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check, for instance.

What happens if the check is failed?

 

[Quartz]

So the video information is spot-on with what I said: 40 miles a day is not a big deal by alternating trotting, walking, and maybe a canter now and then, with rest periods. I would consider this the normal pace over good terrain.

Don't forget that that is over roads in good - for the era - condition. Riding over other terrains or through poor weather or... would reduce that.

 

[WhosDaDungeonMaster]

Don't forget that that is over roads in good - for the era - condition. Riding over other terrains or through poor weather or... would reduce that.

That is why I wrote "over good terrain."

 

[Quartz]

That is why I wrote "over good terrain."

I felt it was a point worth emphasising.

 

[5atbu]

....

 

[jgsugden]

If the are any Roc nearby, you may travel much faster while on horseback, but only towards the Roc nest.

 

[WhosDaDungeonMaster]

I felt it was a point worth emphasising.

Ah, no problem. In fact, if the DM wanted he could bump up the DC for the terrain type when making the Animal Handling check.