Horse / Legends Horses were large , solid - hoofed domesticated mammals with a flowing tail and mane . In some parts of the galaxy , they were used as draft animals , as beasts of burden , or for riding . While " horse " was the vernacular name for the species used in Galactic Basic Standard , the technical term used by scientists was equus . Biology and appearance . The species equus , commonly referred to as " horse " in Galactic Basic Standard and " pulga " in Ewokese , was a non - sentient type of quadrupedal mammal that lived on many planets of the galaxy and was divided into many breeds of different sizes and morphologies . Large black breeds lived on Dathomir , while smaller breeds called " ponies " — known as " gaupas " in Ewokese — dwelled in the forests of Endor . The size of an Endorian pony was comparable to that of a young Coruscanti armored rat . Horses were ungulate s , using the hooved tip of their toes to move around . Their long , flexible legs allowed them to run really fast , but they were incapable of flying . Their bodies were covered in hair , and a mane of even longer , thicker hair grew about their necks and heads . A horse ' s head featured a long muzzle consisting of the lips and nose . The eyes of a horse were on the sides of its skull , and its ears protruded from the top of the head . They came in two sexes , with the males being called " stallions . " Many other species that resembled horses were often referred to as " equine " or " equinoid , " whether related to horses or not . Such beings included the sentient Nazzar , Svivreni , and Thakwaash . Some believed the Half - Bothan s were temperamental or volatile because of their " equine blood . " Behavior and intelligence . Horses could be domesticated so that people could ride them , or to carry and pull loads . For that reason , itinerant portrait photographers were known to bring ponies with them . The taming of a wild horse , however , was reputed to be a difficult and perilous task . The ponies raised by the Ewoks were reputed to be swift , brave and tough . History . When Cindel Towani was befriended by Wicket after her family crashed on Endor , he showed her an Ewok - made pulga statue , which she identified as a horse , as he misunderstood her request for a star cruiser for a pulga due to sharing the same word . Apparently , at least one world visited by the Towani family in the Galactic Empire had horses . The Ewoks mainly used small gaupas to ride , but also used large pulgas for heavier loads . In the quest to rescue the Towani parents , most of the Ewoks involved rode gaupas , while Cindel and Wicket traveled in a children - carrying basket aboard a full - sized pulga . The Force - sensitive witches of Dathomir possessed beautiful black horses , which they sometimes rode instead of Dathomiri rancors . Some of the witches , notably Charal , possessed rings of mysterious origin with strange Force " magic " properties that allowed the witches to change the physical shapes of both themselves and their steeds . Charal apparently brought her Dathomiri steed with her to the forest moon . To lure Cindel into a trap , she changed her own shape into a beautiful lady , and her horse into a white steed . Apparently , white horses were considered symbolic of purity and nobility in the Galactic Empire . The Sanyassan Marauders under King Terak also used large horses as mounts . It is possible they brought these steeds with them to the forest moon , as Charal brought her own horse . The Marauders crashed on Endor almost 100 years before the Battle of Yavin , and the horses and ponies used by the Ewoks may well have been descended from Marauder - introduced stock . Behind the scenes . George Lucas ' s Ewok movies featured numerous real , Earth animals , although it should be noted that so did " " , " " , and " " . Many animals in the " Star Wars " galaxy resemble horses , but are not . These include four - eared equinoid s from Cleroff ' s World , and numerous species of Naboo : gualaar s , guarlaras , and gualamas . Many fans have incorrectly confused Endorian ponies with bordoks .