Game Rules

Mane & Tale is a community built on mutual respect. All players are expected to treat each other with courtesy both on the forum and in all game interactions. The following rules apply at all times.

1.1 Real Name Requirement

All players must register using a real human first name. Usernames that are clearly not a real name — such as random strings of characters, brand names, or non-name words — will be asked to re-register. This creates a more personal and respectful community atmosphere. Your name does not need to be your legal name, but it must be a genuine given name.

1.2 Respect

Harassment, bullying, discriminatory language, and personal attacks of any kind are not tolerated. This includes behaviour on the forum, in horse or stable biographies, and in any game content visible to other players.

1.3 One Account Per Person

Each player may maintain only one game account. Multiple accounts are not permitted. If you have lost access to your account please contact an admin on the forum rather than creating a new one.

1.4 Fair Play

Exploiting bugs, glitches, or unintended game mechanics to gain an unfair advantage is prohibited. If you discover a bug, please report it on the forum rather than using it. Players found exploiting bugs may have their account corrected or suspended.

1.5 Admin Decisions

Admin decisions are final. If you disagree with a decision, you may raise the matter politely on the forum or via private message. Continued public disputes after a decision has been made may result in further action.

2.1 Registration

Your Mane & Tale account is linked to your forum account. Registering on the forum automatically creates your game account on your first visit to the game site. You will start with 100,000 Crowns, 10 Sparks, and 0 Laurels.

2.2 Stable Name

Your stable name is public and appears on all your horses' profiles. Stable names must be appropriate and inoffensive. Stable names that violate the conduct rules may be changed by an admin without notice.

2.3 Inactivity

Accounts that have been inactive for an extended period may have their horses moved to the game pool. Players will be notified via forum private message before any action is taken. If you plan to be away for an extended period, please let the admin know.

3.1 Creating Horses

Each horse creation costs 1 Spark. You begin with 10 Sparks and can earn more by converting Laurels (100 Laurels = 1 Spark) or through community participation. Horses can be created at any age from weanling to 18 years old.

3.2 Horse Names

Horse names must be appropriate and inoffensive. Names may contain letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens and apostrophes. Names that violate conduct rules, impersonate real horses, or are deliberately offensive may be changed by an admin.

3.3 Stats

All horse stats are generated by the system at creation based on breed tendencies. Stats are private and visible only to the horse's owner. Players cannot set or alter their horse's stats.

3.4 Age and Retirement

Horses age up twice per real year — on January 1st and July 1st. Horses must be retired from showing at age 18. Horses age 20 and older enter the death lottery and may pass away. Retirement status can be managed from the horse's edit page.

3.5 Discipline Changes

A horse's discipline and level can be changed by its owner, but a 3 month cooldown applies after each change. Choose carefully.

3.6 Transfers

Horse sales are arranged privately between players, typically on the forum. Crown payment should be sent before the transfer is completed. A minimum ownership period of 3 months applies before a horse can be sent to a hobby home or surrendered to the game pool.

3.7 Hobby Home & Surrender

Horses can be sold to a hobby home for 1,000 Crowns — this permanently removes the horse from the game. Alternatively, horses can be surrendered to the game pool for 2,000 Crowns or 1 Spark. Both options require 3 months minimum ownership.

4.1 Permitted Images

Horse images must depict horses or equine-related subjects. Images may be photographs, digital art, or traditional art. You may use AI-generated images provided you have the right to use them under the terms of the AI service used.

4.2 Prohibited Content

The following are not permitted as horse images under any circumstances:

• Nudity or sexually explicit content
• Graphic violence or gore
• Hateful or discriminatory imagery
• Real people without their explicit consent
• Images that violate copyright where you do not hold the rights

4.3 Copyright

You must own or have permission to use any image you upload. If you are using commissioned art, please ensure your commission terms allow game use. Do not upload images scraped from the internet without permission from the creator.

4.4 Moderation

New members' images are reviewed by an admin before going live. Established members' images are posted immediately but remain subject to removal if they violate these rules. Rejected images will be removed and the player notified.

4.5 File Requirements

Uploaded files must be JPG, PNG, GIF or WEBP format and under 2MB. External image URLs from image hosting services are also accepted.

5.1 Hosting Shows

Any player may host a show. Shows must be submitted for admin approval at least 7 days before the show date. Shows must include at minimum a show name, date, type and class list. Admin-run MTEF (Mane & Tale Equestrian Federation) shows award double achievement points.

Show limits: Members may host up to 8 shows per month under their own name. Associations may also host up to 8 shows per month under the association banner. These limits are independent — if you own an association, you may host 8 personal shows and 8 association shows in the same month for a maximum of 16. If you own multiple associations, each association has its own limit of 8 shows per month.

5.2 Entering Shows

Horses must meet all eligibility requirements for their entered class — correct age, sex, breed type (horse or pony), and discipline level. Entries close at midnight the night before the show date.

5.3 Results

Show results are calculated by the system based on each horse's stats and a random variance factor. Results are final once the host confirms and posts them to the forum. Results may only be deleted by an admin with a logged reason.

5.4 Achievement Points

Placing in shows earns achievement points toward titles:

• Champion — 500 points
• Regional Champion — 750 points
• National Champion — 1,000 points
• International Champion — 2,000 points
• Hall of Fame — 5,000 points

Points are earned per discipline. A horse may hold titles in multiple disciplines. Hall of Fame induction earns 10 Laurels for the owner.

5.5 Show Sections

Classes with more than 25 entries are automatically split into sections (Section I, Section II, etc.). Section champions may compete in an overall championship at the host's discretion.

5.6 Discipline Age Requirements

Each discipline has a minimum age for the lowest level class. Higher level classes within the same discipline may require older horses. All horses must retire from showing at age 18.

6.1 Eligibility

Mares must be at least 4 years old to breed. Stallions must be at least 3 years old. Both horses must be active or retired for breeding. Geldings cannot breed.

6.2 Breeding Limit

Each mare may produce one foal per game year. Breeding can be registered for the current year or up to 5 past game years to allow catch-up breeding.

6.3 Foal Ownership

Foals are always owned by the mare's owner at the time of breeding. Stud fees are arranged privately between owners and should be paid via the banking system before the breeding is registered.

6.4 Lethal White

Breeding two Frame Overo carriers (Oo x Oo) carries a 25% chance of producing a lethal white foal. Lethal white foals are stillborn and the breeding year is consumed for the mare. Players will be warned if both parents carry Frame Overo before confirming the breeding.

6.5 Inbreeding

Inbreeding is permitted but carries consequences — inbred foals receive a conformation penalty and have a slightly elevated mortality risk as they age. The system detects common ancestors within 3 generations and will warn the player before confirming the breeding.

6.6 Cross Breeds

Breeding two different breeds produces a cross-breed foal, registered as "[Breed A] x [Breed B] Cross". Cross-breed horses are eligible to compete in any discipline appropriate to their size and type.

7.1 Currencies

Mane & Tale uses three currencies:

• 👑 Crowns — the primary trading currency. Used for horse sales, stud fees, and business transactions. You start with 100,000 Crowns.
• 🌿 Laurels — activity points earned through community participation. Used to purchase genetics panels and convert to Sparks (100 Laurels = 1 Spark).
• 🔥 Sparks — horse creation resource. Each horse creation costs 1 Spark. You start with 10 Sparks.

7.2 Earning Laurels

Laurels are earned through the following activities:

• 1st place in a show — 3 Laurels
• 2nd place — 2 Laurels
• 3rd place — 1 Laurel
• Hosting a show — 10 Laurels
• Opening a business — 15 Laurels (one time)
• Opening an association — 20 Laurels (one time)
• Sponsoring an association — 10 Laurels
• Writing a story post — 10 Laurels
• Responding to a writing prompt — 5 Laurels
• Every 100 forum posts — 10 Laurels
• Recruiting a new member — 25 Laurels
• Hall of Fame induction — 10 Laurels

7.3 Achievements

Achievements are one-time milestones that reward players for reaching key moments in the game. Each achievement awards 10 Laurels when earned and is recorded permanently in your player history. Achievements cannot be earned twice.

Achievement	How to Earn	Laurels
First Horse	Created your first horse.	+10
First Show Entry	Entered your first show.	+10
First Breeding	Registered your first breeding.	+10
First Foal	Your first foal was born.	+10
Founding Member	A founding member of Mane & Tale.	+10
Stable Identity	Set your stable name and bio.	+10
Storyteller	Submitted your first story prompt.	+10

7.4 Titles

Titles are earned milestones that can be displayed on your stable profile and in the stables directory. Select your active title from your stable's edit page. Titles represent significant achievements and are something to work toward throughout your time in Mane & Tale.

Breeding

Title	How to Earn	Awarded
Breeder	Register your first breeding and produce a live foal.	Automatic
Bloodline Breeder	Register 10 successful breedings.	Automatic
Dynasty Breeder	One of your foals must earn a Championship title.	Admin
Legendary Breeder	One of your foals must be inducted into the Hall of Fame.	Admin

Showing

Title	How to Earn	Awarded
Competitor	Enter any show.	Automatic
Titled Competitor	Win a Championship class in any show.	Automatic
Grand Prix Competitor	Win a class at the highest level in any discipline.	Automatic

Storytelling

Title	How to Earn	Awarded
Storyteller	Complete your first writing prompt (awarded by admin).	Admin
Featured Storyteller	Complete 10 writing prompts (awarded by admin).	Admin
Master Storyteller	Complete 25 writing prompts (awarded by admin).	Admin

Stable

Title	How to Earn	Awarded
Established	Set your stable name on your profile.	Automatic
Respected	Have 10 or more active horses in your stable.	Automatic
Renowned	Have horses competing in 3 or more discipline groups.	Automatic

Longevity

Title	How to Earn	Awarded
Member	Be an active member for one month after launch.	Automatic
Veteran	Be an active member for six months after launch.	Automatic
Cornerstone	Be an active member for one year after launch.	Automatic

Community

Title	How to Earn	Awarded
Contributor	Make your first post on the forum.	Automatic
Voice	Make 50 posts on the forum.	Automatic
Pillar	Make 200 posts on the forum.	Automatic

Special

Title	How to Earn	Awarded
Founder	Awarded to beta testers at launch.	Admin
Trailblazer	Awarded by admin for notable firsts.	Admin
Patron	Awarded by admin for community contributions.	Admin
Champion	Win 10 first place finishes in each of 3 discipline groups.	Admin
Legend	Have a horse inducted into the Hall of Fame.	Admin

Crowns can be transferred between players via the banking system. All transfers require a memo. Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed — ensure you are sending to the correct player before confirming.

7.6 Prohibited Transactions

Trading Crowns for real money, gift cards, or other real-world value is strictly prohibited and will result in a permanent ban.

8.1 Opening an Association

Any player may apply to open an association. Applications are reviewed by an admin. Approved associations receive 20 Laurels and a dedicated bank account. Associations must have a clear purpose — breed registry, discipline organisation, or similar.

8.2 Association Management

Associations may have up to three co-owners. Co-owners have full access to the association's bank account. Ownership can be transferred with admin assistance.

8.3 Association Rules

Associations may set their own membership rules and showing requirements provided they do not contradict Mane & Tale's base rules. Association-specific rules must be posted publicly on the forum.

8.4 Inactive Associations

Associations that have been inactive for an extended period may have their approval revoked. Admins will attempt to contact the owner before taking action.

9.1 Opening a Business

Any player may apply to open a business. Applications are reviewed by an admin. Approved businesses receive 15 Laurels and a dedicated bank account. Business types include art commissions, training yards, equipment shops, photography services, and similar equine-related enterprises.

9.2 Business Conduct

Businesses must deliver on any services or goods advertised. Players who repeatedly fail to deliver on commissions or transactions may have their business approval revoked.

9.3 Pricing

Businesses set their own prices in Crowns. Prices must be clearly stated. Price gouging or predatory pricing that negatively impacts the community may be reviewed by an admin.

10.1 Forum Rules

The Mane & Tale forum is part of the game community and is subject to all conduct rules above. Posts must be in English unless a specific non-English board exists.

10.2 Creative Content

Story posts, character biographies, and other creative content are encouraged and may earn Laurels. Creative content must still comply with the conduct and image rules — adult content, discriminatory content, and content harmful to minors is not permitted regardless of fictional framing.

10.3 Advertising

Players may advertise horse sales, stud services, businesses and associations in the appropriate forum boards. Advertising outside designated boards or spam posting is not permitted.

11.1 Violations

Rule violations may result in warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent ban depending on the severity and frequency of the violation. Serious violations — including real money trading, harassment, and illegal content — result in immediate permanent bans.

11.2 Appeals

Players may appeal admin decisions via forum private message to Rhianon. Appeals must be made respectfully and within 7 days of the decision. The appeal decision is final.

11.3 Rule Changes

Rules may be updated at any time. Significant changes will be announced on the forum. Continued use of the game after rule changes constitutes acceptance of the new rules.

These rules exist to protect the community and keep Mane & Tale a welcoming place for everyone. Thank you for reading them.