Medium Barding (AEG)

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==Medium Barding Scale Barding (AC 5)==
Scale barding is an early form of medium protection barding, generally superseded by chain in more advanced regions. It is most common in Dark Ages, eastern, or frontier settings, where it will still be somewhat less common than chain barding in a western medieval setting. Refer to Chapter 1 for more information on the construction and appearance of scale armor. Full scale barding weighs 75 pounds.
Half Scale: Half scale barding includes a much lighter mesh of scale and covers only the head and front quarters of the horse. It is the heaviest armor commonly found on a light horse. Half scale weighs only 50 pounds.
Half scale is sometimes used by successful orc and goblin war bands. Other humanoid races may also be found using the barding in their cavalry units.
==Brigandine Barding (AC 5)==
A late period composite armor made from small metal plates sandwiched between layers of leather, brigandine is the most advanced barding that a typical village armorer can make. It is not as encumbering as the more restrictive scale, weighing 70 pounds.
Half brigandine: This barding protects the front half of the horse and weighs 45 pounds.
The rogues of the road (including occasional adventurers) tend to use half brigandine because it is light, generally non-encumbering, and easy to care for.
==Ring Barding (AC 5)==
This early form of barding is made of metal rings sewn onto a heavy cloth or leather backing. It is heavier than standard scale barding, and in most campaigns will be used only by those who can't get anything better. (In fact, whether a barding like ring barding actually existed is open to question; it may have been too heavy for the horses of the time.) Ring barding weighs 80 pounds.
Half Ring: This is ring barding for the front areas of the horse. It weighs 55 pounds.
==Studded Leather Barding (AC 5)==
This early barding is made of layers of soft leather, reinforced with many small metal studs intended to turn aside slashes. In all important respects, it is equal to ring barding and weighs 80 pounds.
Half Studded Leather: This barding covers the front of the horse. It weighs 50 pounds.
Humanoids tend to use studded leather barding. In some instances, the studs are long and filed to sharp points. The damage-causing ability of these short spikes is questionable, but they certainly add to the ferocious appearance of a mount.
==Chain Barding (AC 4)==
This barding is the standard armor for medium war horses. It is put on in sections, with the main pieces being attached to the saddle or laid over the horse and buckled underneath. A heavy cloth or blanket is placed under the chain to prevent rubbing and abrasions from the barding, which would cause the horse to quickly become fatigued.
Only in the cooler climes can a horse wear such armor for long (the horse cannot move all day with the armor on; it must have sufficient rest and free grazing). Chain barding weighs approximately 70 pounds.
Chain barding is used by grey elf medium cavalry companies.
Half Chain: This is chain barding covering the front areas of the horse. It weighs 45 pounds.
Elven chain barding: This type of barding exists, though it is extremely rare. It has a weight of 25 pounds. Such barding cannot be purchased and is generally unavailable to anyone other than elven nobility.