Some stables were more successful than others. Their horses were just better, prettier, more obedient, and riders much more skilled. It was hard to join them. What was their secret?
They own some magical halters and other equipment. Magical, or rather cursed items are dangerous tools that require a high will to provide benefits. All of them put a curse on the wearer or user, but also give some kind of a reward. Some of the known halters:
Halter of a champion:
Changes you into a horse based on your current fitness and condition, you become a horse that suits your current condition. To win, you must become a champion, either racing, show, jumping... You will become a registered horse and be allowed to take part in competitions. After achieving the goal, you'll be able to put the halter whenever you want to feel the powers of your hooves. If you won't become champion in two years, your mind will slowly fade leaving just another common animal... You could still be rescued by your owner.
Halter of champion stud:
A variant of the previous one, much harder to win. In the first place, you become a stallion (ill become male if you aren't). To win you "just" have to impregnate a champion mare from another stable. But those are not running freely. You need to become a champion yourself to be considered as a stud for one of them.
Halter of motherhood and bondage
If you want a perfect horse and you are willing to pay almost 2 years, then put it on. The trick is to become the mare, be impregnated, and give birth to one. You will be able to change back 4 months after giving birth (required!), or you'd like to stay a mare for the rest of your life? Anyway, there will be an unbreakable bond between the rider and horse. They will feel each other feelings, understand each other without any gesture.
Halter of retirement:
If you are tired, disabled, old, or just tired, you might try this one. It heals your body offering another 20 years of life as healthy horses. The challenge here is to just decide on it and put the halter on, not removing it until the change is finished. Then, no magic can help, 20 years of equine life.
Halter of training/weightloss:
Allows to gain some strength or lose weight much easier than normal, without being distracted by anything. Being forced to eat nothing more than grass and some hay, running around the whole day, it's much easier to achieve your desired form. You will change back by taking off the halter after 2 weeks and being proud of your achievement. But if you are lying to yourself, you'll be reduced into a donkey! Don't worry, magic in the halter will judge itself if you made enough progress. This one might be required to wear before wearing Halter of a champion.
Halter of chastity:
Tests your will. Surviving a heat without being knocked by (or knocking), will reward you with power over the horse's emotions. Losing means staying as a horse and losing fertility. No stallion would mount you anymore, neither any mare would make you hard. Also no cheating with being the only horse around with no horse of the opposite sex around!
Bridle/saddle of connection:
Put it on any horse. You'll establish a mental connection with the horse (it would be possible to even talk to it if it was a former human). It will let you understand the horse better, but better don't make it angry, or the horse's mind might be hurt... or yours.
Halter of vacations:
Gives you a week's vacation of being human. Depends on how tight it will be put, you might retain some sense of awareness, but your equine instincts will take over almost completely. You'll lose your human skills, even understanding human language. Neither stallion nor mare will be fertile (even if in heat). Might be used as a punishment. You change back after the week passes and someone will take off the halter. If someone will do it earlier, well... It won't be just a week. Don't put it on without having someone to free you and knowing the rules!
Some of the halters must be put on. For some, just a touch of the inner side with your face is enough. If it's not specified, the halter will not change your sex... as long as they weren't altered.