Object
Horse-Head Hitching Post (Holodeck Glade)
A human-chest–height wooden post topped with a carved horse-head finial, artfully weathered to simulate age. A metal ring and leather tether hang from the head, suggesting practical use for securing a mount. The post sits planted in the holodeck’s simulated meadow—grasses blur at its base and a faintly artificial patina catches programmed light. Picard and Troi pass it on their way into the program; the post functions as a tactile anchor, framing the arrival of the programmed Arabian and lending the rural tableau a convincing, touchable detail.
2 appearances
Purpose
To secure or tether a horse and to serve as scenic set dressing within the holodeck program.
Significance
The post roots Picard’s ritual: it provides a tangible focus for his deliberate programming choices and primes a quieter intimacy with the holodeck horse. As an authenticity detail, the hitching post reinforces the pastoral illusion and amplifies Picard’s need for tactile control and connection.
Appearances in the Narrative
When this object appears and how it's used