Khelon Testudo
Cleric of Stronmaus
If they're regularly used for mounts in-universe, you can imagine that, just like horses IRL, they've been bred and trained for the purpose for a thousand years.
I also "rode" the large family dog, but in my instance it amounted to very brief rides where she moved at a snails' pace. Is it more realistic to have a riding dog than giant flying lizards that exhale color coded elemental hazards? Sure, but it still bothers me.
I've known a few malamutes - wonderful dogs. I totally believe you could ride one.It is the kind of dog I have had the chance to ride. It was fast and it even had a "saddle". That was not a snail pace. Yes I was really young (about 6 years old). But boy was it fun.![]()
giant alaskan malamute | Giant alaskan malamute, Alaskan husky, Malamute
Jul 23, 2014 - This Pin was discovered by Jennifer Parish Hillis. Discover (and save!) your own Pins on Pinterestwww.pinterest.ca
It is the kind of dog I have had the chance to ride. It was fast and it even had a "saddle". That was not a snail pace. Yes I was really young (about 6 years old). But boy was it fun.![]()
giant alaskan malamute | Giant alaskan malamute, Alaskan husky, Malamute
Jul 23, 2014 - This Pin was discovered by Jennifer Parish Hillis. Discover (and save!) your own Pins on Pinterestwww.pinterest.ca
It is mostly an issue of size (though not completely). A human might weigh about 1/5 as much as thoroughbred but only 1/3 or so the weight of Mongolian horse. So for a goblin or halfling (40 lbs), a similar sized riding animal would be in the 120-200lbs range. That is definitely within the realm of a RL dog/wolf and very feasible for a fantasy dire-wolf / worg. So, I guess what is it that is bothering you?I also "rode" the large family dog, but in my instance it amounted to very brief rides where she moved at a snails' pace. Is it more realistic to have a riding dog than giant flying lizards that exhale color coded elemental hazards? Sure, but it still bothers me.
Because it isn't a factor of weight. Its that most animals can't carry any significant weight on their back without major complications. More a musculature/bone structure issue than weight. Yon malamute has apparently been saddled though, and that punches a fairly large hole in my issues.It is mostly an issue of size (though not completely). A human might weigh about 1/5 as much as thoroughbred but only 1/3 or so the weight of Mongolian horse. So for a goblin or halfling (40 lbs), a similar sized riding animal would be in the 120-200lbs range. That is definitely within the realm of a RL dog/wolf and very feasible for a fantasy dire-wolf / worg. So, I guess what is it that is bothering you?
Malamutes have been bred to pull sleds, they would have stronger backs than other dogs. It would not be a stretch to breed one to be ridden.Because it isn't a factor of weight. Its that most animals can't carry any significant weight on their back without major complications. More a musculature/bone structure issue than weight. Yon malamute has apparently been saddled though, and that punches a fairly large hole in my issues.