#cavrah

Horses of Cavrah

horses are sacred to all of Cavrah, but especially areas such as Cecily and Ibykos

horses in Cavrah are more or less considered a single breed, but have sub-variations dependent on region (central, northern, etc)

Cavran horses are generally short and stout to fat, with strong bodies and Roman noses. they have long hair and tougher hooves, and those in colder regions grow thick winter coats. any colour/pattern is acceptable, with different groups favouring different ones; however, overall, dun, bay, and black are most popular. primitive striping is common. they're not the fastest, but make up for it in stamina and sure-footedness

different regions have different adaptations; e.g. northern horses have adapted to withstand -70 c weather, while those from the mountains have stronger necks and larger lungs

tack tends to be more minimal, and uses knots instead of metal rings. horse shoes are seldom used, due to the hardiness of their hooves. horses are often accessoried (e.g. with ribbons), or braided, depending on the culture

horses are heavily self-reliant and can near, or fully completely find food for themselves, including rooting under the snow

until the age of mechanization (predominantly public transport in Cavrah; little personal vehicles) horses were the primary form of travel, and remain so in rural areas

horses used not only for travel, but also as pack animals, for their milk (kumis), hair (used in things such as instruments), hunting (done by speed, usually with sighthounds), and companionship

it is highly taboo to kill and/or eat horses in Cavrah, and not permitted in the native religion. killing a horse is only permitted when ethically euthanizing it, and its often illegal to kill a horse

while most people (at least outside of cities) usually have their own personal/companion horse, families/communities will own many more. in rural Cavrah, horses outnumber people

horses are stabled in permanent residences and kept outside otherwise. buildings in Cavrah are usually brick, whether stone of mudbrick or something else

carriages never used; either people ride horseback, or for those who can't, carts pulled by horses are used. this is also how items not on horseback get transported

horse racing is very popular, and done by everyone

Chaatrev (n., always plural) are pieces of garment from Cavrah that is draped or wrapped around one self. they come in many styles

Lahchaatrev are on the top half

Aevilya chaatrev are long formal chaatrev worn by religious authority

Nachaatrev are on the bottom half

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Mahila lahchaatrev are long, usually broad + loose chaatrev starting at a shoulder and going to the [opposite] hip

Triya lahchaatrev have equal amounts of fabric on each side

Shevi lahchaatrev go from the shoulder down to the hip on the same [side], usually connected to nachaatrev