Barding is armor for equines. Many kinds of armor requiring sophisticated magic or technology were developed in the Golden Age; these are largely lost except for a few rare examples. If in good repair, they are precious. Armor by its very use and nature tends to be at risk if worn, explaining the relative rarity of Golden Age barding compared to weapons and other items. Contemporary 34th century armor is less sophisticated, but still reasonably effective against common weapons.

Barding is generally not necessary in towns, but even many ponies who would never think of taking up weapons still put on some light barding when traveling between towns in the Dusts. (A precation that is a fortiori applicable when venturing into the Lowlands.) Such traveling armor is common, something of a holdover from earlier, more violent times at the nadir of the Dark Age. Its effectiveness is rarely tested, but it would probably help against weak ranged weapons and wild animals.

More durable metal armor is made, and favored by city guards. Irongate is a center of its manufacture. The finest barding and armor is made by the Grundle smiths of Springvale; its quality and efficacy are the subject of renown throughout the Dusts, but it is not made for export. It is said that the smiths continually remake armor for the paladins of Springvale, so as to keep their skills well-honed. Examples occasionally turn up on the market elsewhere, many of which are probably low-quality imitations.