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The Horsemen are powerful, immortal beings that act as instruments of chaos and destruction during the [[Apocalypse]], which is triggered by [[Lucifer]]'s release. [[War]], [[Famine]], and [[Pestilence]] are loyal to Lucifer's plans, whereas [[Death]] serves Lucifer's agenda only while he is bound to him by a spell.<ref name="five21">[[5.21 Two Minutes to Midnight]]</ref> Each Horseman appears human, and drives a car that reflects the color of his horse as described in lore. Each possesses a different ring that is somehow tied to their powers, and their rings prove integral in ending the [[Apocalypse]].
The Horsemen's origin remains unclear and has yet to be presented in [[Canon]]. Their actual ages remain unknown, however Death is the oldest Horseman as he existed during the creation of the universe. War refers to the other Horsemen as his "siblings,"<ref name="five02" /> and Pestilence calls War and Famine his "brothers." Pestilence is so distressed that War and Famine fell into an impaired state due to the actions of Sam and Dean that he disobeys Lucifer's commands and attacks the Winchesters.<refname="five21" />
In ''[[Supernatural]]'', War is the first Horseman to appear, Famine was the second, Pestilence was the third, and Death was the final Horseman. Their abilities vary, but all appear capable of causing widespread destruction in one form or another.<ref name="five02">[[5.02 Good God, Y'All]]</ref><ref name="five19">[[5.19 Hammer of the Gods]]</ref><ref name="five21" /> They read human thoughts and emotions.<ref name="five02" /><ref name="five14">[[5.14 My Bloody Valentine]]</ref> The Horsemen can teleport themselves,<ref name="five21" /> move objects telekinetically,<ref name="five14" /> and be invisible to humans when they choose to be. Sam's powers do not work on the Horsemen, though they can have an indirect impact.<ref name="five14" />
In addition to these powers, they each possess unique abilities that coincide with their apocalyptic roles. War can alter human perception, making people see enemies where there are none. Famine can affect people's urges and addictions. Pestilence can create and manipulate deadly diseases in humans. Death has full control over life and death itself, and is able to kill with a touch or dramatic event. War, Famine and Pestilence cannot fully manage and maintain their powers or their roles in the Apocalypse without their rings. [[Ruby's knife]] can damage War, Famine and Pestilence enough to remove their rings, though as yet nothing has been shown to kill them.