A living paradox

elismor:

cacodaemonia:

roach-works:

phantom-of-the-keurig:

i-penna:

writingbox:

Here’s an invaluable writing resource for you.

Was looking for this information just yesterday. Thanks so much.

Y’all I could have used this so many times before oh my good god

QUICK NOTE: these times are only applicable to single travelers or small groups. for example, your cavalry division is probably not making even 30 miles a day, because then they could be as many as 25 miles away from the supply wagons, and die.

Good stuff! I only know about traveling on foot, but remember that terrain, elevation, weather, and the physical fitness of the person walking play a HUGE role in how far they can travel and if they’ll be able to sustain that pace for more than a day. I recommend asking folks who do a lot of hiking - particularly through-hikers and backcountry hikers - if you need more detailed info. :)

Reblogging to expand a bit on the horseback section…

The Maximum Speed column is misleading. Yes, that’s a semi-reasonable number (40 mph, though it will depend on the horse in question), but 100 miles a day is not easy to achieve. There are riders (and horses) that do this in competitions, but they are conditioned for it and are in EXCELLENT shape (both of them). This is something that takes months and months to train for.

The average speed (5 mph) is also reasonably accurate, but, again, is more in alignment with horse and rider that are well conditioned and pushing themselves along.

I am a fox hunter and condition myself and my horses to be able to handle long days that cover distance (usually about 12 miles in a few hours), but when we are not hunting and are just out for a ride? We average about 17 minute miles at a walk with some trotting thrown in. That usually winds up to be about 1.5 hours for 5-ish miles.

And, no, just because your character is a runner/fighter/in good shape, it does NOT mean they can ride a horse for that long and be fine. Riding uses muscles that are literally not used in any other thing–they will be hurting and they probably will not be comfortable while riding.

The thing that most people don’t realize about horseback riding is that, like any other physical activity, the condition and skills of the participants is a big deal. How might this apply in fiction?

Well.

Let’s say you have to get your protagonist from one town to the next and it’s a 20 mile journey.

An accomplished and fit rider on a fit horse suited to the terrain will NOT be able to trot (or gallop!) that whole distance. And it WILL make both of them tired and sore.

A non-rider (even a fit one, even on a fit horse)? Will want to die at about mile 3.

Someone who knows how to ride but is not fit MIGHT be able to push through it, but they’re going to be in a world of hurt when they get off and won’t be able to move the next day without a lot of Advil. Even if they are young.

A plow /draft horse will be able to travel that distance, but not at much more than a walk.

A (fit) carriage horse will have no problem with the distance, but may or may not be able to/be trained for carrying a rider and the rider will effect their ability and stamina.

TLDR?

1. A horse cannot gallop for 20 miles.
2. Riding is a skill and no, being athletic is not enough for a rider to be okay with long hours in the saddle
3. Terrain will greatly effect speed and distance, as will footing (sandy vs hard vs soft, etc)
4. Not all horses can do everything you might need or want them to do in your story. Details matter.

I have been a horsewoman my entire life and am happy to help if someone is writing about horses and needs it. Ask box is always open. :)

(via clean-acts-for-reasonable-prices)