Medieval War Horses
The topics in this section address a main component of a knight's or samurai's identity - the horses they used to conduct warrior activities. The horses they used differed significantly in various characteristics: size, breeding, cost, as well as in use.The topics are organized in tabbed pages as follows:
- History/Origin and Breeding - the origin and history of horses used by European and samurai warriors is discussed in this page, as well as the importance of bloodlines, philosophies, and influences on the evolution of warrior horses.
- Costs, Veterinarian and Farrier Support - this page discusses the evolution of veterinarian care, the use of blacksmiths and other support services are discussed here.
- Armoring and Training - the use and evolution horse armor and training, including the art of dressage, is discussed here.
“Equestrian nations were the dynamic element of
evolution…the alert consciousness and expanded mental concepts which man
acquired on horseback…molded the image of his universe”.[i]
[i] Hans-Heinrich Isenbart, Emil M. Bührer, Fritz A. Bauchwitz, Barbara Rey. The Kingdom of the Horse. (New York: Time-Life Books, 1969), 78.
Horse image credit:
http://www.warhorse.com/graphics/clydesdalesdollyhead.jpg
[i] Hans-Heinrich Isenbart, Emil M. Bührer, Fritz A. Bauchwitz, Barbara Rey. The Kingdom of the Horse. (New York: Time-Life Books, 1969), 78.
Horse image credit:
http://www.warhorse.com/graphics/clydesdalesdollyhead.jpg