# Dungeons & Dragons: Horse God (God\[s\] of Horses?) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** rpg-dnd-wargames\ **Created:** [December 20, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851 "2022-12-20T16:00:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/1 "2022-12-20T16:00:46Z")
Been a very long time since I’ve played, but does anyone recall if there was/were Horse Gods? Gods of Horses? It came up in a strange discussion at work. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/2 "2022-12-20T16:06:31Z")
Yes or at least maybe. AD&D dieties and demigods include the Greek pantheon but I don’t know if epona was specifically listed. I’d have to check a copy. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/3 "2022-12-20T16:35:18Z")
I can think of a couple of deities that have unicorns as their symbols and would appear as them (I had a Ranger in 2E Forgotten Realms that followed one) but I can’t think of one that is for horses specifically. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/4 "2022-12-20T18:42:44Z")
The Greek God Poseidon, was God of the Seas. AND horses. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/5 "2022-12-20T18:56:56Z")
I found several deities affiliated with pegasi or centaurs or unicorns, but none specifically related to normal horses. There are definitely plenty of real-world deities who were associated with them. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/6 "2022-12-20T19:13:44Z")
If you want a real world god of horses I think this is my recommendation: > **[Epona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epona)** > > In Gallo-Roman religion, Epona was a protector of horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. She was particularly a goddess of fertility, as shown by her attributes of a patera, cornucopia, ears of grain and the presence of foals in some sculptures. She and her horses might also have been leaders of the soul in the after-life ride, with later literary parallels in Rhiannon of the Mabinogion. The worship of Epona, "the sole Celtic divinity ultimately worshipped in Rome itself", as the patroness Although... She was almost exclusively and was primarily the goddess of horses and similar animals (donkeys, ponies, mules). She was a bit of a fertility goddess too but horses were her prime gig. Even her name was evocative of horses. I just don’t recall any created for any D&D realms that I can remember. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/7 "2022-12-20T19:17:16Z")
In Greek mythology Poseidon created horses. Which is why Poseidon suggested the Trojan horse to Ulysses. I 'm guessing that Tolkien wasn’t the first person to equate whitecaps with horses. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/8 "2022-12-20T19:21:14Z")
Besparr has a few references online as a Forgotten Realms horse demigod. > **[Beast Cults | City of Splendors. Dungeon of Madness. | Obsidian Portal](https://cityofsplendorsdungeonofmadness.obsidianportal.com/wikis/beast-cults)** > > A wide number of Beast Cults lurk within the city of Waterdeep, The Beast Cults often attract nomads, evil humanoids, and those removed from the normal circles o ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/9 "2022-12-20T19:26:26Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > The Greek God Poseidon, was God of the Seas. > AND horses. > Go figure. Earthquakes, too. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/10 "2022-12-20T19:44:33Z")
If you were playing in Middle-Earth it would be [Nahar](https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Nahar). He was the horse of [Oromë](https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Orom%C3%AB) the Huntsman of the Valor. From Nahar was descended [Felaróf](https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Felar%C3%B3f) from whom [Shadowfax](https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Shadowfax) descended. * * * * * * In actually 1st Ed there was of course all those different Pantheons and included I believe **Epona** a horse goddess and I know it included **Poseidon** who was the Greek God of Horses besides the Sea. In fact he fathered Pegasus in some legends. The Greeks had a selection of immortal/divine horses throughout their legends. * * * * * * Finally in either D&D’s _[Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gods,_Demi-Gods_%26_Heroes)_, or Deities and Demigods there was mention of arch-types for animals. I would have to go digging for details, but I know it inspired me to include such in my worlds. If it was _[Deities & Demigods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deities_%26_Demigods)_ I suspect the mention was in either Melnibonéan or Nehwonian mythologies. I’ll do more digging if interested, I still have both. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/11 "2022-12-20T19:54:10Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Finally in either D&D’s _[Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gods,_Demi-Gods_%26_Heroes)_, or Deities and Demigods there was mention of arch-types for animals. I would have to go digging for details, but I know it inspired me to include such in my worlds. At one point (possibly still) D&D had Animal Lords, who were sort of the “King” of their type of animal, and could take human form. Might have been a Greyhawk-specific thing. They weren’t deities, though, more like a fey nobility. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/12 "2022-12-20T19:54:56Z")
That might be what I’m thinking of. I would have to go digging. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/13 "2022-12-20T22:20:32Z")
The Welsh version of Epona is Rhiannon and the Irish version is Macha. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/14 "2022-12-20T22:22:09Z")
So, home, copy of Legends and Lore in hand (my wife’s, my copy of Dieties and Demigods had fallen apart and I had forgotten), while Poseidon is listed, horses weren’t listed as part of his portfolio, although I know it is mythologically. Epona isn’t listed, so that’s out, but would be valid as I said in # 2. Sleipner is _listed_, but not with Greater / Lesser / Demigod status, so I don’t think would count despite his parentage. Following up on @What_Exit 's description in the Nehwon mythos though, they DO list the Cults of the Beast, in which there are 13 perfect specimens of each of the animal creatures of the world - fully intelligent and role models for all members of the species. They are indeed worshipped by some mortals, but they do not have any information beyond that. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/15 "2022-12-21T19:55:42Z")
Not only was Epona in 2nd Ed’s Planescape setting, she had associated creatures with a horrible punning name that were basically _My Little Pony_ expies: [http://www.mojobob.com/roleplay/monstrousmanual/n/nicepona.html](http://www.mojobob.com/roleplay/monstrousmanual/n/nicepona.html) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/16 "2022-12-21T20:36:23Z")
Thank you. I’m sure that is what I’m remembering from 35 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/17 "2022-12-21T22:35:16Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Not only was Epona in 2nd Ed’s Planescape setting WTF really? I’m embarrassed because I actually ran a 2E Planescape campaign once and I didn’t remember that. (I used to own the boxed campaign set but eventually gave it away to a friend.) …In my defense it was over 25 years ago… ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/18 "2022-12-22T00:58:05Z")
No problem. I was dwelling on it all day and wanted to answer my own questions, so we all win. There was also a mention of Grayhawk adventures, so I dug up my copy of that manual (which was bridging the gap between 1st and 2nd edition) to confirm that while Ehlonna had ‘special power over horses’ (or unicorns in her elven guise) her actual portfolio was Forests, Woodlands, Flora, Fauna, and Fertility. So again, associated with horses, but not OF horses. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/19 "2022-12-22T23:04:40Z")
There was also a Cat Lord, a Horse Lord, etc, the Horse of all Horses, a quasi deity. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2022, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851/20 "2022-12-23T12:34:28Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > WTF really? Only in side mentions, like that “Nice Pony” entry, I don’t think there was ever a stat block or anything. Tir Na Og [sic] in the Outlands is the home of the Celtic pantheon. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dungeons-dragons-horse-god-god-s-of-horses/976851.md?page=2)