Griffon

Griffons are powerful, majestic creatures with the characteristics of both lions and eagles. They hunt all manner of prey but favor the flesh of horses above all else. From nose to tail, an adult griffon can measure as much as 8 feet. Neither males nor females are endowed with a mane. A pair of broad, golden wings sprout from the creature's back and measure 25 feet or more. A griffon weighs about 500 pounds.

Griffons make their homes in high places, swooping down with a shrill, eaglelike cry to attack their prey. Although both aggressive and territorial, they are also intelligent enough to avoid obviously powerful enemies. They almost always attack horses, however, and any who attempt to protect horses from a hungry griffon often end up on the menu themselves.