Warhorse Encumberance vs. Gear Weight Broken

Allen · 09-24-2005, 01:55 PM

Guys,
I just calculated the weight and encumberance for warhorse with full plate barding carrying my character with heavy plate and gear.
The horse gear, plate barding for all legs etc, war saddle, bridle, shoes etc weighs 205lb.
My character weighs 220lb. and has 125lb. of armor and gear (sleeping roll, water etc). Add the weight for a lance and medium shield 21 lb.
This adds up to 571lb. total.
With a 24 st warhorse the horse is in heavy encumberance, assuming the warhorse is trained to carry a knight and barding etc lets assume he will not refuse to move. His normal travel speed would be 7 x .4 = 2 and his charge speed would be 14 x .4 = 5.
So riding a war horse would slow my party's travel rate to 1/2 of our normal speed and the warhorse's charge would be at speed 5. Lightly armored opponents could thumb thier noses at me and run away, the charging warhorse could not catch them.
I computed it would take a 31 st warhorse to carry the load at medium encumberance, then the move would be reasonable 7 x .6 = 4 for normal travel and 14 x .6 = 8. An exceptionally strong animal would be at most 20% stronger so max should be 29 st.
If anyone can find something I have done wrong that can enable a warhorse to carry a fully armored knight and plate barding at a reasonable speed I would like to hear it.
Thanks,
Allen

09-24-2005, 01:55 PM	#1
Allen Join Date: Dec 2004	Warhorse Encumberance vs. Gear Weight Broken Guys, I just calculated the weight and encumberance for warhorse with full plate barding carrying my character with heavy plate and gear. The horse gear, plate barding for all legs etc, war saddle, bridle, shoes etc weighs 205lb. My character weighs 220lb. and has 125lb. of armor and gear (sleeping roll, water etc). Add the weight for a lance and medium shield 21 lb. This adds up to 571lb. total. With a 24 st warhorse the horse is in heavy encumberance, assuming the warhorse is trained to carry a knight and barding etc lets assume he will not refuse to move. His normal travel speed would be 7 x .4 = 2 and his charge speed would be 14 x .4 = 5. So riding a war horse would slow my party's travel rate to 1/2 of our normal speed and the warhorse's charge would be at speed 5. Lightly armored opponents could thumb thier noses at me and run away, the charging warhorse could not catch them. I computed it would take a 31 st warhorse to carry the load at medium encumberance, then the move would be reasonable 7 x .6 = 4 for normal travel and 14 x .6 = 8. An exceptionally strong animal would be at most 20% stronger so max should be 29 st. If anyone can find something I have done wrong that can enable a warhorse to carry a fully armored knight and plate barding at a reasonable speed I would like to hear it. Thanks, Allen Last edited by Allen; 09-24-2005 at 04:01 PM. Reason: Added weight for lance and shield