Everything that governs how Open Gaits runs — read it once, and it'll make sense every time after.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The OG admin team is Rhianon, Merry, and Morrigan.
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.
In Open Gaits, your account is linked to the forum. Registering for the forum automatically gives you access to a game account on your first visit to the game page. You start with 100,000 in money, 20 creation credits, and a small stable package.
Your stable name is public and appears on your horse's profiles. Stable names must be appropriate and inoffensive. Stable names that violate the conduct rules will be changed by the admin without notice.
You're allowed to open 5 stables. You may open your stable immediately upon entering. Each person starts with a small stable package.
Accounts that have been inactive for 4 months without notice, may have their horses moved to the adoption agency. Players will be notified via the Forum before such action is taken. If you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, please post in the Hiatus section of the forum.
You have 30 days to post your introduction and start playing. If you haven't posted your introduction within 30 days, your account will be deleted.
Each horse creation costs 1 creation credit. You begin with 20 creation credits. You may purchase more with AMI points via the dashboard.
Names may not be the same as famous horses. Each name must be unique. Names may contain letters and apostrophes. Names that are wildly inappropriate, deliberately offensive, or impersonate famous horses may be changed by the Admin without notice.
All horses age up on January 1 of each year. We use a real time system in Open Gaits. Horses must retire from showing at 20 years old. Horses age 20 or older may pass away at any time.
A horse's discipline and/or level can be changed at any time — there's no waiting period.
Transfers and sales should be handled either on the forum or Discord. Payment should be sent before the horse is transferred.
Horses may be surrendered to the adoption agency after being owned for three months. Horses may only be surrendered with the permission of the person who bred/created the horse.
Images must depict horses or equine related subjects. You may use copyright-free images, digital art, or traditional art.
The following are not permitted as horse images under any circumstances:
New members, who have been in the game less than 30 days, will be required to have your images approved by the admin team. This will be done in a timely manner.
Images must be hosted outside of the game. All images will be resized to fit within the dictates of the horse pages.
Anyone may host a show. Shows must be submitted for approval at least 7 days before the show date. There is no requirement to post the show on the forum.
Occasionally OG may host a show. These shows will have double points.
Each entity within OG may host up to 8 shows per month. This means that you may personally hold 8 shows, and any associations you may own can also hold 8 shows.
OG has no requirement to post results on the forum. You run your show from the Run Show page. Horses will be placed in the appropriate discipline and level based on their information before the show is run.
Placing in shows earns AMI and Achievement points that accumulate towards titles as follows:
Placing first through fourth in any class gives Achievement points. 10 for first, 7 for second, 4 for third, and 1 for fourth.
There is no rest period in OG.
Classes with more than 20 horses are automatically split into sections.
See the discipline and level table in the dashboard for the age requirements of each level.
Mares must be 4 years old to be bred. Stallions must be 3 years old to be bred.
Each mare is only allowed one foal per eligible year.
You may cross horses to get crossbred or actual breeds. For example, a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian will give you an Anglo Arabian.
Open Gaits uses three types of currency: Money, denoted with a $ symbol; Credits, both Breeding and Creation; and AMI (Active Member Incentive).
You can earn AMI in many ways: entering a show, placing in a show, forum activity milestones, login streaks, hosting or running a show, reaching horse and account milestones, and creative contributions (writing or art) awarded by the admin team.
Transferring in-game currency for real-world value is strictly prohibited.
There are two types of entities in OG: Associations and Businesses.
You may own up to two associations and two businesses. This is to keep it fair for new players that join later in the game.
You must be a member in good standing for 30 days before you can open a business or association.
You must garner interest in an association before opening it. You may do so via the forum by posting an interest check. You will need at least 3 other people interested in the association to move forward with it.
Associations may have multiple owners. Businesses may not.
All associations and businesses will be given a bank account. Associations will start with $50,000. Businesses do not get a starting grant.
Associations may set their own membership rules, but they may not contradict any OG rules.
All entities must have a link back to the main Open Gaits page and clearly state that it is fictitious and that they do not sell real world goods.
All posts must be in English.
While we are all adults, please keep profanity to a minimum. If you choose to write or post adult content, please use a disclaimer and trigger warnings. No pornography of any kind is permitted in OG.
Stories, biographies, and other creative content are encouraged and may earn AMI. Creative content must comply with conduct and image rules.
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.
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.
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.