Horse

Horses are animals from vanilla Minecraft which can be found in Middle-earth. The mod's horses are technically a different class of entity from the vanilla ones (meaning you cannot breed a horse from the Overworld with one from Middle-earth). However, they are identical to the vanilla horses in all aspects - appearance, different varieties, breeding mechanics, taming, riding controls, and so on, except that (as of Beta 17) they can swim.

Horses spawn most commonly in the Rohan biome, but they can be found throughout Middle-earth in many other areas such as Gondor, the Lone-lands and the Trollshaws. However, if you do happen to enter the Rohan biome, you would find that their horses have greater abilities (speed, jumping, etc.) then that of horses from other biomes. There is also a smaller breed of horse known as the Shire Pony which is endemic to the Shire.

Mounted NPCs
Many NPCs in the mod can ride horses - these include Galadhrim Elves, Gondor Soldiers, and most notably the Rohirrim. When an NPC is riding a horse, the NPC's targeting range is increased by a factor of 1.5. Its attack range (how far away it can hit you with a sword) is also increased by a factor of 1.5. NPCs that use ranged attacks, when on horseback, will maneuver away from a foe who comes too close and continue shooting from further away.

If the NPC dies, its horse cannot be used by the player.

The chance of finding a horse-riding NPC varies - it is relatively uncommon to spot an Elf Warrior on a horse, but almost all of the Rohirrim ride horses. You can also hire many of the cavalry units from the appropriate NPC (Rohirrim Marshal, Gondorian Captain, Galadhrim Lord etc.). Cavalry units are typically more expensive and require a higher alignment to command than foot soldiers.