[shell]

"A good horse is one with many good, few indifferent, and no bad points."
"Animal Management" British War Office Handbook, 1908



With that quote in mind, the selection of the proper horse for mounted combat comes down to an understanding of what the role of the horse is to be. Simply speaking, cavalry mounts can be divided into two classes, "Light" and "Heavy". These terms apply not only to the physical characteristics of the horse itself, but also to the different branches of the cavalry service. The selective breeding of stock to develop these special traits was brought on at least partially to develop better war-horses.

BLOODLINE
When one thinks of the armored medieval knight, the assumption is that huge horses were needed to carry the rider and his armor. The modern Clydesdale or Shire horse comes to mind. The fact is these modern breeds were not in existence in medieval times. Although the primary equestrian bloodlines had all reached the Mediterranean countries of ancient Rome, the exact breed of the medieval war-horse has been lost to us. Breeds, once established, can quickly be lost if not constantly maintained. This was especially true of the larger warhorses, which were expensive to feed and maintain in peacetime. The medieval breeds were built up and lost again and again over the centuries as war and economics dictated their maintenance.

Horses have always been able to carry 25-30% of their own weight. Thus a small, 850 pound animal could reasonably be expected to carry 170 to 255 pounds. This is the weight of a fully equipped 11th century knight in 35 pounds of chainmail. The Knights depicted in the Battle of Hastings Bayeux Tapestry (c.1077) are riding what appear to be small mounts, even allowing for artistic license. Such animals today might be classified as light horse cavalry.

Robert the Bruce fought Edward I of England by putting his foot soldiers on small ponies, in order to harass Edward's troops on the march. Edward took a cue from Robert and had his foot soldiers mounted on small `hobby' or hobby horses from Ireland. Lightly armored mounted archers continued to ride the smaller horses through the 14th century.

As the weight of defensive armor increased, so too the need for larger horses and the selective breeding for size began. The term "Great Horse" first appears in English records in 1282, more than two centuries after the Battle of Hastings. It is assumed that the horse that was bred at this time resembled something like the Percheron or Holstein breeds of today. The term "Great Horse" was descriptive of the size and skill of the warhorse, rather than a particular breed or bloodline. Another term for the warhorse was "Destrier" which was derived from the Latin word "dexter" or right hand. It is thought this might be because the Great Horse was led at the right-hand of the squire, or alternatively because the horse was trained to take the right lead.

The "Great Horse" tended to be a little taller than the lighter "Palfrey" or riding horse. It was between 65-69 inches tall (or 16-17.1 `hands') and weighed approximately 1,200 to 1,550 pounds. This enabled it to carry approximately four hundred pounds. This maximum size was probably reached sometime in the late 14th century. A 16th century knight with plate armor for his horse would still fall well within these weight limits. So too would a Napoleonic Cuirassier of the 19th century, or a fully equipped trooper from World War I.

Modern Breeds of the large size that might be suitable today include the Percheron, Holsteins, Shire and "Warmblood" combinations. Even large Quarter Horses and "Thorcheron" cross breeds can carry the requisite weight.


The Author rides a "heavy horse", a Belgian, in equestrian games.

The "Great Horse" began its fall from favor during the reign of Henry the Eighth and by the 17th Century the Thoroughbred had begun to make it's appearance. In the transitional period, there were many disagreements over what constituted the "perfect" horse. As new schools of equitation developed, the demands of modern warfare dictated the needs for faster, more agile mounts. The Great Horse left the battlefield and was reserved for ceremonial jousts.

The "Light" horse is noted for its speed and maneuverability. It is usually not much taller than 60 inches (15-16 hands) and weighs between 850 and 1,100 pounds. The earliest medieval horses probably would have fallen within this size range.


The Author sits astride his "light horse" in armor.

In later eras, the light horse was expected to carry an un-armored or lightly armored trooper and his equipment to the battle, where he would dismount and fight on foot. This type of trooper, called a "Dragoon" after the small musket he carried, came into being just before the Thirty Years War in Europe. The Dragoons, while principally mounted infantry, were also expected to use their swift horses for reconnaissance, foraging, pursuit, messenger and outpost duty. They were especially useful in harrying tactics, and hit and run attacks. The Napoleonic "Hussars" typify the height of Light Cavalry deployment. As a breed, the modern Arabs and Barb blood line serve this need well as does the short but sturdy Cob. One only has to think of the unarmored Indians on their fast mustangs or the lightly armored horse cultures of the Scythians, Avars or Magyars sweeping down from the steppes to see the advantage that a light, fast horse presents against infantry and even heavier cavalry. The Plains Indian's mustangs were themselves descendants of the noble Spanish Andalusian, Barb and `Austurion'. Left to the wild over two centuries, these Spanish horses reverted back to a feral breed well suited to the plains, with high endurance, and low maintenance requirements.

[madvoice]

Thanks for sharing. What an interesting read

[shell]

Thanks. I like to look up new and interesting things on line.