So, in the Florence of 1476 (as told by Assassin's Creed 2), carts of hay - hayricks? - are fairly abundant.
Makes sense in its way; the city is an honest-to-gosh city, cobble and stone streets, with very little in the way of greenery. There's the occasional vines growing in people's yards, but I'm not certain that there's even much in the way of trees in the bit of city we've seen.
The hayricks are quite useful for the player. You can hide in them to evade detection, and you can land in them without damaging yourself if you jump off a tall building.
But here's what I want to know: Where are the horses or goats or other animals that actually *eat* the hay?? Everyone we've seen in the city (including our noble parents) travel everywhere on foot. Or via boat, if you end up in the river.
Haven't seen a horse. Anywhere.
Guess I just shouldn't think about the hayricks too much, hmm?