7 Horses Who Might Still Win the Game of Thrones

**THIS POST MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR SEASONS 1-5**

With season 6 of Game of Thrones premiering on April 24th, we can’t wait to see which of our favorite Westerosi cut-throats, thieves, and warlords will be taking one step forward (or one step back) towards that big Iron Chair in the sky. Creator George R.R. Martin and show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are notoriously tight-lipped about how the series will end down the road. But while most of GOT fandom is placing their bets with A Song of Ice & Fire’s human contingent, we’re taking a slightly different track.

Horses, like everyone else in the series, spend a lot of time just trying to stay alive (with mixed results) but that doesn’t mean we should count them out for the final showdown. After all, everyone knows it’s the quiet ones you really have to watch (right Podric Payne?). Here are seven horses we’re still rooting for, and how they’re stacking up against their equine competition.

1. Stranger

(via winteriscoming.net)

Sandor Clegane’s giant black stallion has seen plenty in his day, and the Red Wedding is just the start of it. Since he carries the Hound (+/- Arya) around regularly, we can assume he’s strong, and he certainly knows his way around a battlefield. Plus, since he drove the two of them to the Twins by wagon, we know versatility is a strong point.

Throne Potential: Solid Candidate

2. The silver (II)

(via hbowatch.com)

Sadly, Daenerys’ original silver didn’t make it across the Red Waste (RIP). And although we haven’t been properly introduced to her silver II yet, she has already been involved in some important events, including the liberation of the Unsullied at Astapor. Although she’s clearly good with dragons, fire, and lots of shouting and whip waving (your move Parelli), on the other side of the Narrow Sea, silver II remains largely unknown.

Throne Potential: Meh 

3. Dancer

(via youtube.com/ExploreWesteros)

After his fall, Bran Stark’s beloved childhood pony Dancer was re-trained so the little guy could still ride her, even without the use of his legs. Clearly she is smart, kind, and adaptable—all great traits for a ruler. Unfortunately, Dancer was left behind at Winterfell when Bran and Rickon made their escape, and her outlook following its sack, while perhaps open to interpretation, doesn’t look great.

Throne Potential: Unlikely

4. Ned Stark’s Horse

(via gameofthrones.wikia.com)

Before the manure hit the windmill in Westeros and Ned Stark got a little shorter (too soon?), I think we can safety assume that the Lord of Winterfell rode his horse south to King’s Landing. Although the rest of his family was scattered to the wind and even his sword was melted down, we’re imagining Ned’s brave, loyal stallion quietly plotting his revenge in the city stables. Like Arya, he probably drifts off to sleep at night, whispering the names of his enemies: “King Joffrey, Queen Cersai, the veterinarian, the wash stall, the braider…”

Throne Potential: It Could Happen

5. The Champion of Meereen’s Horse

(via winteriscoming.net)

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about essential traits in a ruler from Game of Thrones, it’s that military experience is an absolute must. For that, we’d like to nominate the Champion of Meereen’s stallion, a courageous war horse with oodles of battles under his girth, lots of athletic talent, and one of the most powerful cities in the East behind him. With experience like that…..wait, what? Really? Oh. Never mind.

Throne Potential: Possible  Nope

6. Blood

(via gameofthrones.wikia.com)

Only a twit like Ramsay Snow would give a nice horse like this a dumb name like “Blood”. Despite all of the insane, twisted, sadistic things Ramsay gets up to, the stoic Blood, by all accounts, behaves like a perfect gentleman. With a new name, a new outlook, and hopefully, a new owner, Blood could really make a difference in Westeros. Let’s just hope he starts by giving Ramsay a one-way ticket to the Moon Door.

Throne Potential: Lookin’ Good

7. This Guy’s Horse

(via patricksponaugle.com)

Being undead has it’s advantages, even for horses, and we’re guessing that they come in super handy as the Wight Gelding King of Westeros. For one, you can eat, sleep, and breath your royal duties, because you don’t need to eat, sleep, or breath anything else. You’re at least partially magical, you automatically command respect/sheer terror wherever you go, and the cold doesn’t bother you a bit. Which is great, since we all know in this kingdom, winter is always coming.

Throne Potential: All In

Like what you’re reading? Check out the Horses of Anarchy here.