Questions for equestrians

Wow! There are some fantastic answers here.


I should have said, they have the best looking stock that I took the time to find. All the creations I've seen here are incredible.


I was semi-joking about the rhinoceros, but it's good to know someone has already built such a thing. It would net someone an incredible amount of attention to ride a rhino into a populated area, but I'm not really seeking that much attention. And yes, there would be almost no market for it. Your shire is awsome. Can't wait to see it with its feather feet.


There's a wealth of useful info in your post, far more than two cents worth.

Thanks to all. I think I have a new sense of purpose in the virtual world.

I seem to be in the minority. I far prefer the Hoof It! EquiReals. I find their look and movement to be superior. to each their own, of course.

Annoyingly big piccie:

I think that would be fun too! Actually, the last I played EverQuest, in addition to a horse one could purchase a lizard-looking steed. A lot of people opted for that for the "unique" appeal.

I've not seem a rhino, but I have a Yak that I can ride - it came from the Yak Shack.

So, should I looke for a riding group filled with people I don't know, or should there be a Forum Riding group created?

I will note that I used to be a member of one riding group. No activities ever occured, though there was one hilarious moment when someone started talking on the group channel - boiled down to that person being a pony-girl and the rest of the group pointing out that the group was not that type of horse group.

Well, that's really the key (and btw, I think the Equireals look cute as anything, too). People have individual likes and dislikes, and none of the horse breeds out there really look like each other (well, they tend to have four hooves and a mane, but after that).

The key is to have a fun day or two popping around the various horse makers and finding the horse that is right for YOU. We all have demos, go take one for a trot, then decide if that is the Special Pony.

There are a lot of riding groups in SL--definitely drop in on one or two (I love hanging about with the Caledon Troopers, Vulpine Eldrich is tops at finding terrific places to ride). But do keep in mind that the performance level of the horses will drop when you have 30 odd highly scripted attachments galloping along at full bore together

Happy trails all!

I'll second Virrginia's vote on the Caledon group ride. We ride every Friday night at 7:00 pm SLT. Though it is not an open enrollment group, by showing up for a ride with a horse, you qualify (demos included). We always welcome newcomers with open arms. If anyone is interested in joining the ride, feel free to IM Vulpine Eldrich, myself or Virrginia (hope that is OK this evening around 6:30 SLT and we'll get you to the starting point.

Forgot to mention that a group ride is also a great opportunity to see a lot of different horses live and in person with a rider in the saddle. Most of us have many different horses and love to show them off.

If anyone wants to compare SL horses, I have a selection of the main brands around my stables on Tin Teddy island - slap in the middle of the island, just in front of the church and near the main railway station (don't worry, the horses are used to the chuffing). There are a couple of AKK ones by the church (ready to pull a bridal coach) and Patch, the vanner is over by the gypsy caravan in the South West.

My favorite so far is the Freisian, yes it is expensive and still not completely finished, but it is hands-down the best looking horse in SL.

I also have some of SL's best horse avatars (both tiny and large, cartoony and realistic) if anyone wants to see them - I have been known to give cart rides when asked nicely, hehe

I don't create horses or horse avatars, btw - just collect them.

If you make SL horses and I don't already have one of yours at my stables, please do send me a landmark to your store- I am always on the lookout for new ones.

What I would REALLY like, however, is a really cute donkey that can pull a cart

I may throw on my Regency outfit (a bit out of date for most of Caledon, I know) and come observe tonight, if I may.

So much to see, so little time. And here I was thinking I was getting a little bored.

Just a note *** AKK also has some beautiful deer as well as other animals. I have them on my land. If you want to check out the North East section of Tammora, I have deer next my waterfall on the Crystal Realm. Also my horses are in the pasture, mid way down the land, Tammora/233/185/47

I did see a donkey somewhere - now I can't remember. Dark brown which is not usually what I think of donkeys as being. If I see it agian, I'll let you know.

I vote for a Forum Riding Group. I was also a member of two different riding clubs months ago and never saw notices of any events.

I never heard of Hoof It! until your post, Marianne. But going to head over to check them out

Another plus of the forums...being able to get opinions and hear about products from all over. And as another poster mentioned, horses in SL just keep getting better and more realistic and apparently more designers Your horse looks gorgeous!

I had originally purchased an AKK Western Saddle and since I always ride that one in jeans, the attach point was not an issue. However, I then went back and purchased a Side Saddle to go with my long dresses and rides thru Avilion. That horse came with 2 horses for 2 different attach spots (pelvis and stomach, I believe). Though I do use one of them most often, I have had to use the second attach point a couple of times. BTW - the Side Saddle is the best way to go if you want to wear long dresses, otherwise it just looks bad (even side saddle looks bad with regular non-prim skirts).

Also, since the horse has 'copy' permissions, I am able to rez one for my property without any issues. However, for those that are prim-tight, I *think* it is somewhere around 100 prims.

Also, I purchased from AKK simply because that is where a friend took me as he had purchased from there before.

More than OK, Ty, but tonight I have an actual RL date , so they'd be better off IMing you or Vulpine.

Point well taken

I'll still ride one of your horses tonight anyway.

Thanks for those that dropped by this evening's Caledon Troopers ride. We had a blast.

Also got to see the new thoroughbred stallion from Branagh's barn. Amazing. You have to stop by and check it out.

/me checks his account balance and plans a shopping trip.

It was great fun Ty! Thank you.

I so wanted to stop by - but tonight I was stuck in my skybox with no clothing rezzing. Then the grid crashed or something. I finally gave up and actually worked around the house instead.

I too am looking into my funds. Maybe both I and my alt want a mount, a shire for him and thoroughbred or something sleek for me.

I too have a Dagon from Hoof It! I chose him after trying the others because I liked the movement and he has such a sweet face. We have completed quests at Avilion together and I explored places in SL that without him I would have probably missed.

As for the skirt attachment issue, I had to fiddle with some of them to attach to the stomach instead of pelvis, but the outfits I have from Kouse's Sanctum had the skirt attached to the stomach as default, which is handy if I suddenly decide when I'm in Avilion that I'm fed up of walking and want to ride my horse - I dont have to worry about being improperly dressed for the sim

I feel your pain. The editing tools were acting funky for me last night trying to adjust my new saddle on a new horse. Thought I was going to have to ride bareback.

my ava is on the "small" side as well. thats why i got the WS Black from AKK, not as huge as the other horses, but it does the same job! my feet actually touch the top of the stirrups. as for the riding clothes in your op, i got the jodhpurs, boots and gloves. i wear a sweater or blouse with them though. it depends on what makes you comfy.

Elgyfu Wishbringer - there is a donkey at AKK - I got mine as an Easter present from my SL friend, and I adore him....an RL friend surprised me with the AKK Percheron for Easter too.
I just need to come up with names for them!

Also I just want to mention Runcible Designs Steampunk horse. It's a bit robot like (for want of a better description) - all metal and steam, but they are smoothly scripted and are amazing. I have 2. A dark metal one, and a side saddle one. All the cogs, and steam, and gauges....wow! I want one in RL to ride to work on! Hahahahaa!

I would love to join a group ride out - any Euro-friendly rides planned with the Caledon Troopers ?

I had lots of fun last night, ty! My hair was stuck on my mount's underbelly the whole time, but I figured having a shaved head kind of went with the sim we were in, (which was amazing). Lexxi said it was viewer side and could see my hair, but I think she only wanted to make me feel better, lol.

My horse is fairly big for my av, but when I was younger, the horses I rode were always huge (+/-16 hands) for my size. I loved seeing all the other types of horses. Looking forward to other group outings.