Welcome to the official species thread for Great Plains Equines. Here will be a collection of information, a complete archive, and a species discussion.
Table of contents:
1: Information (you are here)
2: Archive
3: Discussion
What is a Great Plains Equine?:
They are a type of horse that has a gene made up of all horse breeds. This give them a huge color and marking pool. They are capable of having a mixture of markings, with any natural occurring color. For example, it's possible to have a brown and black paint with zebra stripes and blue roan underneath. The possibilities are seemingly endless. They are a very docile species, used to human contact, but still wild. They are tamable, but hard to break.
Appearances:
Along with the mixture of coats, they are a large breed of horse. They average 13-15 hands, but can grow up to 20 hands. They come with various styles of manes, ranging from a short zebra like mane, to a long mane that nearly drags the ground. on rare occasions, a unicorn, pegasus, and even more rare, an alicorn can be born. They have rather large chests and bellies, a lack of predators and an abundance of foliage have helped them thrive. Their larges chests hold larger lungs, helping them travel further to greener fields. Their legs have massive muscles, capable of hauling heavy loads, much like an ox.
Behavior in the herd:
A herd can be made up of many mares, but only one lead stallion. At time, older stallions may be allowed to roam with the herd, though past his prime, he is unable to breed. This lead stallion protects up to 50 mares, depending on his capabilities. The stronger the stallion, the more he can take care of. At two years of age, a young stallion will be forced from his herd, and thus he will join one of the various bachelor herds. These young colts will often form special bonds with one to two others, and in turn, these herb brothers will rule an even larger herd. This is rare, but possible.
Behavior in the barn:
A Great Plain Equine is a great addition to any stable. They are capable of merging with any type of herd, even your small domestic horses. They trust easily, but that trust is also easily broken. They are very docile and gentle, often following their handlers around once their bond is great. For those who are more patient, forming this bond is the easiest way to ride one, instead of breaking it. It will willingly allow it's family to ride upon it's back. They are easy to train and are highly intelligent. They are so advanced that there are shows specific to their breed.
Diet:
While living mainly of grass, they hunt down other foliage to dine on. They will eat anything edible, including flowers and lily pads. A rare flower is a special treat for them, and they will seek them out. A large lily, nearly black in color with it's purple hues. It's called a nightingale lily by the locals, and has yet to be categorized. Their tough lips are capable of picking berries from thorny bramble bushes, like black berries. They will even eat roses.
The Great Plains:
This is a wildlife reserve, but mainly it's a haven for the GPE. Fenced off to keep things out, rather than in, it has five main gated entrances. These are guarded by rangers, and the only way to travel is on horse. It's a massive plain, but there's more to it than that. The land is mostly flat, the occasional small hill here and there, but in the distance you can see a thick wooded area. It takes up nearly 1/6th of the entire plains, and provide cover for the horses. There is the rare tree or two scattered along the grasslands, and a large river running through the middle. It branches off seven times in all directions, forming small watering holes, and a large lake. Inside The Great Plains is a withered, dead area where nothing grows and the dirt is tinted gray. It's been named The Dead Man's Gallows, and deemed incapable of sustaining any life what-so-ever. However... A rare breed lives there, or so rumor has it.
The Necro Equine:
A rare species of GPE is rumored to roam in The Dead Man's Gallows. Stories of sighting claim that these horses look dead, or are seen wearing bone armor of long passed animals. It is also rumored that the four horses live here, waiting the call of the Apocalypse. But that's just silly rumors...
