The World of Fantasy, Part 1
by Melissa Addison

Fantasy is a very important part of everyday life for those of us in the model horse world. We paint the creatures of our fantasies and daydreams, we make things for them as if they were real and we give them pedigrees - often times that would never be done (but probably should be) in the real horse world.

But there is another realm to fantasy and that realm belongs to science fiction. About 5 years ago I came into contact with Sue Ann Weaver. She was a "Trekkie" like myself and she had a club called The Imperial Mounted Guard with its fanzine Warhorz. It was the fantasy I had been looking for - the world of Star Trek WITH horses!

Why - you may ask - would we think about horses in the world of Star Trek? Why not? If the future is devoid of the greatest beast of all time - then it is no future at all. Through Warhorz many Star Trek fans created breeds of horses and I would like to share some of these breeds with you.

FERENGI WOK

THE FERENGI WOK

A large, powerful animal, with excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell, the Wok was probably domesticated when a Ferengi noticed how strong the creature was and speculated on how much it might carry to market.

Usually about 18 hands at the shoulder, with heavy bones and muscling, the three-toed hooves are adaptable to any terrain. In the wild the Wok was apt to have browsed on trees and low brush; the great ears radiating excess body heat as well as being sensitive to a large range of frequencies of sound.

Fairly hairless; with short, thick fur covering the body evenly, the Wok occasionally has a neck mane - but this is usually shaved, as it is considered to interfere with harness.

Equipment used on a Wok consists of harness, with occasional lead collars; but mostly ear-clips with leads or reins. Most Wok lead easily with a gentle hand grasping the end of the trunk. Colors run from solid to spotted - pictured below is a typical spot pattern. Mostly greys, whites, browns and black.

The Wok temperament is surprisingly gentle and patient; willing to carry the loads required of it. It can also be ridden, although the span of its ribs is so great that it's not always easy - later strains were bred finer for the riding leisure of higher class Ferengi. The large skull contains a well developed brain and the Wok is very intelligent.

KELPIE

THE KELPIE

A dangerous aquatic creature which drowns its prey before leisurely feeding on them. They're not good mounts, nor can they be succcessfully hitched, or otherwise used. They can successfully replace alligators in the castle moat.

Showing a kelpie can be a most exciting experience. The usual position for a mare or foal is standing, but a full grown stallion is best shown in a reclining position. Things to look for are clear gills just in back of the jaw, against a wide neck, with a large head and carnivorous teeth. The eyes should be large, clear, with vertically slit pupils and no visible white. The thick mane, running from between the well shaped ears to the base of the neck, is the only hair on the creature.

The top is covered with scales, usually edged with silver or gold; the underside with a smooth, soft skin. The claws should be hard, curved and of a silvery luster. The dorsal line should be straight and run from the base of the mane to the tip of the ail. The tail wide and as long as the kelpie's body, but narrow in width.

Kelpies can be almost any color, the top darker than the belly skin, the mane and the dorsal stripe of the same color. A distinctive face marking is essential to type, usually of the same color as the dorsal mark. Kelpies should be shown wearing a chain, or a heavy, ornate leather collar.

RAMOTH OF RIELL by Marie Spinella-Phillips

RIELLIAN ARCTIC (by Kaytar Dok'Marr)

This breed of Klingon Warhorz was developed in the Klingon outworld of Riell. Using Ramoth of Riell, who is a Klinzhai WB of old Shire stock, infused with horned horz, as a foundation mare, the breed was started by a partnersnup of the Dok'Marr house on Riell, and the Kurlitz rancher, Keupetus, who owned a monstrous 20 hand Klinzhai Warmblood with a tinge of Horned horz blood. Using both these horz as a foundation stock, the Riell Arctic was born. Foals not having the desired traits were sold off without pedigrees. Foals showing promise were kept, and the Dok'Marr estate and Keupetus' spread worked diligently to get the breed true.

The Riell Arctic is a heavy, but agile horz, muscular, athletic, and loyal to its rider. They all resemble in build the foundation dam Ramoth of Riell, and it is desirable for all of the breed to have her savage streak, which proves valuable on the battle field! The horz are usually 18-20 hands, with double or triple horns, and long manes and tails. Feathering on the legs varies, but should be present. Powerful hindquarters, coupled with a short back give the horz agility, and the broad chest gives the horz great lung capacity for long campaigns. They come in most colors, though lighter colors preferred due to the long winters on Riell. Roans, greys, and creamy palominos dominate, but blacks and seal browns are never rejected if they show great promise. Tractable, loyal, yet with a dragon-like quality, the temperament of a Riell Arctic is its best asset in battle. They also possess intelligence and rarely bolt or shy. They can be stubborn, but one very helpful thing is to acquire a Suvwl Khetzz. The presence of these warrior felines works wonders with any cantankerous horz.

The breed is loyal to its rider, however, if the rider had good fortune to bond with their steed, that loyalty becomes fierce, and woe be the fool who tries harm to the rider! The horz will attempt to kill the attacker, and the huge animals can take a disruptor bolt or two and not blink!

KLINGON HORNED HORZ WITH RIELLIAN ARCTIC FOUNDATION LINES by Marie Spinella-Phillips

Thanks to T'Kura Dogro and her line, who introduced horz to the Klingon people, Kaytar Dok'Marr bonded to the horz Ramoth of Riell, saving her from the butcher's block, putting her untractable temperament under control. Without Ramoth, this breed would not exist! She bequeathed to them her conformation and temperament, and the huge Klinzhai WB owned by Keupetus complimented her so well that the breed began to breed true in just one generation.

They are bred to work in harsh, cold climates and are in their element on such worlds. They can, however, tolerate some heat, but become quite cranky and hard to handle in hot climates, so if one is seeking a horz for tropical or desert worlds, one should think twice before acquiring a Riellian Arctic. Though they can survive the heat well, they do not like it and readily show this by cantankerous behavior and lack of attention on their business. But on cold climates, no breed can beat them for their prowess and ability to handle patrol or battle business. This writer can attest to that. In facing strange and horrible adversity, these horze fill with a rage, a savage battle lust that does a Klingon proud! Along with the Suvwl Khetzz, one could have no better partner in war.

If one wishes to RRH a model horse to a Riell Arctic, the draft molds do quite nicely. Using short wires, set these in the head for armature for the horns, then epoxy over the wire. This helps the horn stay stable. You may paint and hair as you desire, but Riellian Arctics have very long manes and tails and feathering. The best molds are the Clydesdale mare and the "Roy" Belgian. The old Belgian's legs are not quite muscular and heavy enough, and the Friesian mold would work, but is a bit too light in the body. The old Shire mold would work, but needs building up in the hind quarters. All colors are possible, but light colors dominate. Good luck if you try one!

FEK'LHR, A SUVWI KHETZ by Marie Spinella-Phillips

SUVWI KHETZZ (by Kaytar Dok'Marr)

SuvwI, which means warrior, is an excellent name for this breed of Klingon feline. They are descended from Terran domestic cats, in particular from a breed called the Maine Coon Cat. From this breed, the SuvIl Khetzz get their long shaggy coats, bushy tails, large eyes. and rugged, strong bodies. The grandparents of the one Kaytar Dok'Marr bred the SuvwI from the Maine Coon stock owned by this one's maternal Grandmother. This one's Grandfather, with knowledge of genetics, infused a bit of Targ to increase size, loyalty, and ferocity, but also used a great deal of genetic material from the rare Klingon Snow Cat, which is telepathic and intelligent.

Up until recently, it was not known that the Snow Cat contributed anything, however, thanks to this one's Khetzz Fek'lhr, it was discovered that all SuvwI are telepathic and communicate amongst each other this way. They can with their partner, but usually something that distresses the Khetzz to strong emotion triggers an opening of a channel to their Klingonoid partner. Otherwise, that avenue remains closed, unless the Khetzz bonds to someone already telepathic such as a Vulcan or Betazoid.

In appearance, SuvwI look like huge Maine Coons. They come in just about every color known to catdom, thanks to some further tinkering with the Applehead Siamese bred by this one's father. Qib Vaj, the Khetzz belonging to this one's consort, has traits from this breed. The influence from this tinkering gives some of the SuvwI's longer legs, and a loud demanding voice, and introduced many odd colors to the race, but the SuvwI still breed true to the Maine Coon type. They sport thick shaggy, magnificent ruffs, and long bushy tails and huge tufted paws. They weight between 30-50 Earth pounds, with many going heavier. Fek'lhr is so far the largest at 60 pounds. They are very intelligent and loyal, ready to defend their loved ones with wicked claws. When danger threatens, they never think to run and hide, but turn to attack with savage fury worthy of any Klingon's companion.

All SuvwI seem to enjoy the company of Horz, and most horz respond to them positively. They have a relaxing effect on the cantankerous horz. This one believes that the SuvwI can actually communicate with the huge Horz telepathically. This one has seen too much between her Khetzz and the Horz not to believe this to be true.

KHAN, A SUVWI KHETZ by Marie Spinella-Phillips

The SuvwI are loyal and loving, but like any feline, respond disasterously to abuse or neglect. To do such to any SuvwI can result in retaliation and repudiation. Such a SuvwI that breaks its bond with a partner is a sad, lonely, and unhappy animal, who though is able to fend for itself, will not be happy until he or she rebonds. If she does, the previous partner has no claim on the SuvwI as the SuvwI has chosen.

SuvwI females are picky when it comes to mating and often like to have a selection of mates to choose from. On occasion, a female will find one male she adores and will mate only with him for the rest of his life. Litters are usually very small, two to three kittens, and not every breeding takes. Because of this, SuvwI are not sold to just anybody who thinks they want one. The kittens themselves must choose and cannot be taken if they reject the prospective buyer. If a kitten is forcibly taken away or stolen, it will eventually run away to seek its proper bonded person. SuvwI cannot be treated as pure property and the fees taken for a kitten merely reimburse the breeder for expenses in raising them. Papers only prove pedigree and do not constitute ownership. They also make terrible kuve, or slaves, because of this very trait. If one tries the tharavul surgery on them, they lose all interest in life, and refuse to do anything, even eat, and just die. In the field, SuvwI make excellent scouts on patrol, and as warriors in battle, they are as ferocious as any Targ. They are indeed, worthy of the title of Suvwl!

The January issue will continue with Melissa's article on the horses of the Imperial Mounted Guard. Stay tuned!

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