Quenk

The broad shoulders, haunches, and pig-like head of the quenk is a common sight on the farms and nearby mines where Halfling towns sprawl. Well suited to the soft lowland soils, the three wide toes of the quenk find ample purchase to pull deep-running plows and laden dreys. Those unfamiliar to the quenk say it is a strange, yet homely mix of boar, bear, and horse. The legs bear more resemblance to a stout draft horse than either boar or bear. Yet those following one often wonder how someone trained and harnessed a bear cub to pull a cart. If they were to hear its contented grunts at feed time, there would be no mistake. Its shaggy coat does it well in the hot summers keeping its skin from burning and biting flies at bay. Powerful jaws would make any horse-type bridle useless so their nose is pierced with a ring on both sides when very young. Thin reins attach to them instead of to a bit. Most are also trained to be handled by a hand behind the ear or under the chin in place of a halter. In the mines especially, where work is done with almost no light, not having to fumble with a halter means more work getting done. Its short stature suits it well to work in the mines of dwarves and halflings. When work is done on hard rock they can be shod with small iron shoes so their hooves are not worn down. Its steady nature makes it a favorite among the pastoral homesteads and fields of the halflings. Most halfling households consider their quenk a part of the family. Most quenk are loyal, refusing to leave the homesteads they were raised on. A well cared for quenk will live to nearly thirty years only declining in service in the last two or three years of its life. It is not uncommon for halfling grandchildren to play under the watchful gaze of the same quenk that their parents grew up with.