Questions for equestrians

Another recent thread about a few of our favorite things got me all fired up about horses, especially since I haven't yet found a rhinoceros to ride.

The AKK Ranch seems to be the most amazing place and they have some of the best looking stock, but they also have about seven thousand breeds to choose from. It's a bit of an investment along the lines of buying a skin, so I want to make sure I get one that's just right for me, or more likely my alt. I don't know beans about horses either, so that makes me more cautious, even though I'm champing at the bit to get one.

My avatars are normal human height, so I don't know if a heavy horse is possible, but I really like their Shire. And do you usually need riding gear? Special garments? Should I look at their teeth? What is your experience and advice for investing in a horse?

RL: Don't do it.
SL: Clueless

I have a horse from forever ago, its like an attachment with AO so it looks like you are riding the horse but you are running/walking instead of driving a vehicle.

Riding Horses is fun in SL

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Just stay away from Mari's neighbors.

I'm a bit of a horse lover (so to speak) in RL, and ride quite a lot.

Much as I like SL and have tried horseback riding, it sort of left me a bit cold. It's one of those experiences that just doesn't match up.

Having said that, I know that some people like it and I have a few landmarks (locations and shops) so will send them to you inworld if that's ok.

The other option is of course to give it a crack in RL. It's an incredible thing to do and pretty affordable (in the UK at least) to go for lessons at a local stable.

It might seem daunting, especially if you have mobility issues or are just scared.. but if you look around you're almost definite to find a place nearby which caters for your needs.

I sort of help out at our local place with kids and adults who have special needs (physical and mental) and I seriously have never seen bigger grins anywhere...

Anyway, I know a bit off topic, but ..just thought I'd chip in.

I own a shire and I LOVE him. The rest of those horses are wimps,the shire rocks!

Oh and you dont need anything,a saddle comes with him.

Advantages of having a horse in SL....you can't get thrown or fall off...and if that becomes possible, you won't get hurt.

No vet bills
No farrier (horseshoer) bills
No cleaning sheath's (if your horse is male)
No mares (female horses) in season
No gelding stallions
No feed bills

That said, I own one horse in SL and two in RL. The experience in SL cannot possibly compare even in a little bit to RL. However, it is a fun way to get around. And the one I have in SL can jump and not miss the fence.

I wear my horse in SL as an attachment and a saddle rezzes when I do. However you can buy a saddle for two as well.

Just my 2 cents...

-Blu-

I can only speak for the AKK horses, but they can be modified in size to suit your avatar. A very easy process, neatly covered in the supporting notecards.

I have a horse from McLean's. It works as an AO, and I enjoy it. Lower prim versions in grazing and standing poses are included, to put in the pasture.

My neighbor has an equestrian center, as well. IM me for a link.

I've got nothing bad to say about the AKK horses, but I liked the idea of horses on my land, too.

Real life? Wow - never thought of that. There are stables within walking distance of my house, and I only thought about them as a resource in case I ever need to draw a horse for an illustration. But to actually ride one. . . . this is a very cool idea and an excellent cure for the "what are we going to do now" doldrums. Thank you very much.

From the other posts, it sounds like I should stop worrying and go have fun. I think I'll go with the shire. Thanks!

[Edit: Well, maybe I should go check out McLean's too. I don't suppose they sell rhinoceroses?]

same here I love my Mcleans horse

and the grazing and standing ones are a nice touch as well

Do you really want a rhinoceros? Not to turn this into a "products wanted" thing, but I've a sculpt of a rhino, I just didn't see the market need to animate it.

To be honest though, this week's project is the Shire (ROUGH draft here, the final will have feathering and all that nonsense. And yes, I'm cleaning up the textures bunches):

Wow that is pretty. It looks more like a horse than half of SL's AVs look like humans, including a lot of the intentional ones.

Maybe I should stop by your store lol.

i ride real life (wow but not for ages) i bought my partner the AKK shire..and yes it IS big, but not overly so. I have the dapple grey, which is the biggest of what id term the "pretty possibly girly horses". You wear them, make sure all AO's are off, walks are off, even the ones inbuilt into your shoes (or you will waddle/walk not ride). The AKK one is mod, but make a copy beforeheand JUST incase (its possible and advised). The menu is good, for sounds, speed, adjusting its height etc. Very simple to use.

We LOVE our horses and have spent entire evenings and days searching out new places to go ride- there is quite a few around! Its just so relaxing, listening to the hoof sound..admiring the scenery. We found western themed places...jumps...just look through the search and pop over

My partner has the double rider saddle, its kinda cute if im feeling lazy and just want to hang on while he gallops or jumps or EVEN flies -yes they do!

I have heard the Mclean ones are good too...oh and at AKK you can get a free demo, it lasts for 5 rides i think (or was it 10) then goes poof, its not a very large model but it will give you an idea.

Im longing for a chariot or buggy to attach now...

OH one thought...i dont suppose you DO wear a flexi skirt (lol) but if you DO...ever have the inclination to -it will remove itself upon wearing the horse, same attatchment point.No special clothes required, but its fun to dress up for riding, i did the whole cowgirl thing complete with a "howdy hat" .

Hope you enjoy !
Fai x

FTR AKK ones you can place/pose on land as well. And they come with hay,food and an animated petting brush.

I can't remember how many prims they are though..

I have tried and tried to put my AKK horse on land and have yet to figure it out. Everytime I drag it out, it self attaches to my avatar. I'd love to know how to do this!

Are you placing it out too close to your avatar? Try placing it a little further away. Maybe if you don't have enough prims on the land it does that? I dunno...


I just checked and he is 120 prims.(The Shire)

At the Hangout yesterday several people rezzed their horses which was nice for comparison since I've been contemplating purchasing one. Hearing that the McClean can be put out to pasture is important for me. I just bought new land and it is quite large and hilly, with lots of room for a horse to roam. The McLean sounds like a better option for me.

I also was concerned about the sizing. I'm a very tiny Av and need to be able to resize the horse so I don't look ridiculous on it. Glad to hear that's possible as well.

In RL, I used to ride casually when I was in my teens/early 20's and loved it. So, I guess I'm going to be saving up to buy one, or splurging and just pulling out the credit card pretty soon

I sense the possibility of a group ride in the works....

Good point! I encourage you to get a demo from all the horse ranches and try each of them out to get a feel for how they ride, their features, etc.

That's what I did before I purchased my original kaiila from AKK. My partner and I also own the 2008 versions of the AKK horses.

While all the horses made by various designers do the same thing (allow you to ride them) several have different features. When I was riding the various demos I recall the following:

*One of the horses "breathed" as in made breathing sounds and its sides visibly moved back and forth. While realistic, that kind of freaked me because after a good gallop the horse was breathing so loudly and its sides heaving in and out that I felt like I had practically killed the poor thing.

*Another one was advertised as so realistic that it periodically errr, pooped. (Said poop would self-destruct after a period of time) Ok, that *is* realistic, but there are some things in RL that I would just as soon not have in SL.

*Some of the horses look more realistic than others

After researching and riding just about every different horse by different designers, I chose the AKK for the combination of realistic look, features, and AWESOME customer service.

The 2008 models have some cool new features (race mode being one). The different features are accessible either by drop down menu or function keys. The horses are copy/mod so one can make multiple copies and make the horse various sizes, colors, etc. It's fun to go to the AKK ranch and see how people have modded their horses. One guy had done a mod so his horse looked like it was made of steel.

And if you haven't seen them, especially if you want something different, do check out the kaiila at AKK. They are not listed on the boards with the other horses as they are carnivorous, thus kept on an island nearby. Send an IM my way in world if you need help finding it or would like to see my kaiila or horses.

As you can see, there are a great variety of horses in SL and each one has great points about it. It all boils down to the features/look/etc. that are important to you.

Happy shopping and an early welcome to the equestrienne club

Czari,do you have a picture of your horse handy?

Wanted to follow up on this as I posted a question about this awhile back. I ride in medieval style dresses on occasion and spoke to one of the designers of the AKK horses about this issue. The attachment point of the 07 AKK models and the default attachment point of the 08 models is the pelvis. The designer gave some tips to me about how to work around the 07 horses while riding with a flexi skirt...BUT...the 08 models have a choice of three attachment points that do not involve any work except attaching them to another of these points if skirts/dresses become an issue.

One thing the designer mentioned is not all skirts attach to the pelvis. I went through my medieval dresses and he was right!! So it is possible to ride and still wear flexi skirts.

If you are into vintage clothes and horse-riding, Cartunno Couture makes a (gorgeous, I might add) early 1900s riding habit for women, whose skirt attaches to the waist so your horse can attach to the pelvis. It also has a side-saddle position.

Sure do Also going to post a photo of my kaiila...have to go in world to get it...brb....

(Also will be happy to show you in person as well)

Will have to split this into two posts since I got the "two many images" message. First the regular horses:


These are the AKK horses my Partner and I own. I purchased a black horse and then changed the color of the main and points. My Partner also has a double rider saddle for his horse which is great fun if I want to ride with him on his horse and let him "drive."




Prior to purchasing these, we tried out demos from another designer...adding for anyone interested who has not seen the different types/styles of horses.

I'll try to throw in my two cents, since in my particular line of business, I tend to own quite a few horses from several different makers (lost count of how many horse, but can think of sixcreators right off the top of my head).

First of all, before delving into the topic fully, let me say that right now the market is rapidly maturing for horses in SL. Lots of new creators entering the market with increasingly realistic models coming out seeminly every month ( /me waves to Virrginia ). Given that statement, here's my assessment at this current moment.

From an all-around rideability standpoint, meaning smoothness of scripts, ease of handling, etc., the AKKs would be my pick. Granted, you end up paying even more if you purchase a (separate) standing horse and/or double-rider options. Many of the other creators are throwing these in with the base purchase now. However, with judicious editing, one can make a nice standing AKK 08 horse that weighs in around 35 to 40 prims, max. (Pretty much all SL horses are Mod/Copy).

From an "OMG, that looks so real" aspect, the Branagh's Fresian is a beautiful mount. It rides smooth (from what I've seen, I haven't purchased one). But a lot of that realism comes with a price (other than L$) in that it is no-mod by necessity. It is a realistically scaled horse, meaning that your average 7' tall male av will look like he's riding a pony or large dog.

Virrginia's horses are beautiful, too. I blushingly admit I haven't ridden my copies around yet (I think one is side-saddle and, well, I'm male . For a while, McLean's were my choice for realistic looks and they still look really nice, but they are fairly primmy and the legs heavily scripted. They're a little more challenging to ride if you are into jumping or similar equestrian events.

The Hoof It's ride pretty well, too. They have a unique look that you either love or don't. The Dagon (heavy horse) model is one of my favorites there.

At the newer end of the scale, and a bit easier on the pocketbook, Lone Star Ranch offers some nice mounts at a pretty reasonable price point. I know they've been working on releasing newer and improved models on a regular basis.

Since there is such a wide variety available now, it is a tough choice. Try out all the demos you can and ride them, jump them, try them out in various situations. Realize during a large group ride that you'll be in close proximity to literally thousands of prims and nearly as many running scripts, so don't expect the highest quality experience regardless of horse type, but it is a fun time for sure.

Also, most of the horses available now have various height options accessible through a menu on the horse. So, if your av is short or even tiny, you can usually adjust your horse both in side and ride height to suit. (I will give the McLean's a minus score here, as I've never gotten their ride height adjustment to work for me and have always ended up just adjusting the horse size to suit my av).

/me looks up at the long post - "hope that helps a bit"

Continuing on from my first photo post requested:


These are demos of horses made for tinies with us in IoW Wyrm Hatchling form:






And my very first equestrian purchase almost a year ago - my kaiila. I chose the orange to go with my hair, but they can also be modded. The kaiila has claws for feet, is a tiny bit bigger than the draft horse and has awesome sounds.

The 2008 models of these are amazing and if I wasn't saving my lindens atm, I might be tempted to purchase another kaiila. AKK is the only place that sells these and as I've mentioned...I get sooo many comment/compliments when I ride it.

Thank you for that tip, Madhu....will definitely go check that out!!!!