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|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
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{{update|sa4}}
{{quote|They pick their rider, son. We fixate on Shards, but any man -- courageous or coward -- can bond a Blade. Not so here, on this ground. Only the worthy win here . . .▼
{{quote
▲
|Dalinar to Adolin{{book ref|sa2|81}}
}}
'''Ryshadium''' are a subspecies or breed of horse on [[Roshar]]. They are genetically distinct from other horses, though they are still capable of mating with them.{{wob ref |2691}} They are likely descended from horses that were brought to Roshar when humans first arrived.{{book ref|sa3|113}} They are often referred to as "the third Shard" in addition to a [[Shardblade]] and [[Shardplate]].{{book ref|sa3|10}}
== Appearance and Anatomy ==
Ryshadium are larger than other breeds of horse --
In [[Shadesmar]], Ryshadium leave behind a faint glowing afterimage.{{book ref|row|22}}
Ryshadium are significantly stronger than other warhorses. They can carry a [[Shardbearer]] in full Plate, demonstrating their enhanced strength and endurance. They are also faster than other horse breeds.{{book ref|sa1|13}}{{book ref|sa1|56}} They are strong enough to withstand a Shardbearer jumping into their saddle without any injury to themselves, an action that would break the backs of most ordinary horses.{{book ref|sa1|13}}{{book ref|sa3|26}}▼
==Ecology==
Ryshadium
== Behavior ==
Ryshadium exhibit many behaviors that are unique to the breed. They posses a certain level of sentience.{{au ref|rosharan}} It is unclear the exact degree of sentience they posses, although there are multiple times throughout the series when a Ryshadium appears to understand its rider. Such intelligence and understanding can be seen in their relationships with their riders. Humans will often carry on conversations with Ryshadium and the horses will seemingly answer, either through body language or sounds such as snorts.{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa3|10}}{{book ref|sa2|26}}▼
Ryshadium have a symbiotic bond with [[spren]].{{au ref|rosharan}} This is a variant of the [[Nahel bond]] that turns humans into [[Surgebinder]]s.{{wob ref|14509}} The specific type of spren that bonds with them is unclear, although it could be [[musicspren]] as they have been seen around the Ryshadium even when there is no music playing.{{book ref|sa3|26}} The Ryshadium becomes significantly more intelligent—nearly sapient—and somewhat more resilient, while the spren is pulled into the Physical Realm.{{au ref|roshar}}{{wob ref|14456}}{{wob ref|14458}} Ryshadium and humans are among the few non-native species on Roshar to have developed a spren bond.{{wob ref|10499}} They go to the [[Beyond]] upon dying.{{wob ref|8313}}
▲
In turn, humans take great care not to upset them. A Ryshadium will not be stabled with regular horses, but rather on its own pasture, large enough to run around in.{{book ref|sa3|10}} On the rare occassions that a Ryshadium needs to carry someone other than their rider, the rider typically has to spend a long time convincing the horse to do so.{{book ref|sa2|51}} This being said, common grooms typically don't know how to care for a Ryshadium, and once back in its pasture, the horse is sometimes left to fend for itself.{{book ref|sa2|8}}▼
▲In turn, humans take great care not to upset them.
▲Ryshadium as a whole are not a domesticated species. They roam in herds across Roshar, though they rarely stray into the West. It is only after one chooses to bond a human that they allow themselves to be taken out of the wild.{{book ref|sa3|26}}
=== Choosing a Rider ===
{{image|Dalinar by Caio Santos.jpg|[[Gallant]] carrying [[Dalinar]] into battle|side=right|width=200px}}
Ryshadium are known for choosing and obeying only a particular rider.{{book ref|sa1|12}}
Though Ryshadium choose their rider, they may allow others to ride them as they are needed; in one instance, Ryshadium were used to carry three wounded men from the battlefield.{{book ref|sa1|68}} On the rare occasions that a Ryshadium needs to carry someone other than their rider, the rider may have to spend a long time convincing the horse to do so.{{book ref|sa2|51}} Adolin regrets not appreciating [[Sureblood]] enough prior to his death in the battle at [[Stormseat]]; he spends time watching and grooming Gallant.{{book ref|sa3|10}}{{book ref|sa4|22}} They form a friendship, and Gallant—perhaps missing Dalinar's companionship—eventually allows Adolin to ride him.{{book ref|sa4|13}}{{book ref|sa4|35}} A Ryshadium having two riders is described as "very rare".{{book ref|sa4|21}}
While Ryshadium are useful in battle Shardbearers will sometimes fight unmounted so that they do not endanger their Ryshadium in close attacks.{{book ref|sa1|56}}{{book ref|sa1|68}} Ryshadium are loyal to their riders, and will risk their lives to find and aid them.{{book ref|sa1|68}}▼
===In Battle===
▲Ryshadium are
▲While Ryshadium are useful in battle, Shardbearers will sometimes fight unmounted so that they do not endanger their Ryshadium in close attacks.{{book ref|sa1|56}}{{book ref|sa1|68}} Ryshadium are loyal to their riders, and will risk their lives to find and aid them.{{book ref|sa1|68}}
'''Known Riders'''
*[[Dalinar]] with [[Gallant]]{{book ref|sa1|15}}
*[[Adolin]] with [[Sureblood]]{{book ref|sa1|13}} and Gallant{{book ref|sa4|13}}{{book ref|sa4|35}}
*[[Hatham]] with unnamed Ryshadium{{book ref|sa2|29}}
*[[Kalanor]] with unnamed Ryshadium{{book ref|sa3|26}}
▲== Spren Bond ==
== Trivia ==
|