SoA Forum

History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Duncan Head on Jan 10, 2022, 06:21 PM

Title: Small mediaeval horses
Post by: Duncan Head on Jan 10, 2022, 06:21 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/10/medieval-warhorses-no-bigger-than-modern-day-ponies-study-finds

A disappointing article with no links to whatever work the conclusions are based on.
Title: Re: Small mediaeval horses
Post by: Erpingham on Jan 10, 2022, 06:32 PM
It will be from the University of Exeter Warhorse project https://medievalwarhorse.exeter.ac.uk/ which doesn't provide a recent post on it, though.

However, I think it may relate to this recent paper

In search of the 'great horse': A zooarchaeological assessment of horses from England (AD 300–1650)
(https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3038)
Title: Re: Small mediaeval horses
Post by: Duncan Head on Jan 10, 2022, 06:41 PM
Ah, looks like it could well be. Thanks.
Title: Re: Small mediaeval horses
Post by: Erpingham on Jan 11, 2022, 12:33 PM
It's interesting in the "shock" discovery is that Medieval warhorses were not the size of Shire horses.  I think we actually have known this since the 1990s, when Ann Hyland was writing her books.  This survey does present some archaeological confirmation, though. 
Title: Re: Small mediaeval horses
Post by: Imperial Dave on Jan 11, 2022, 01:18 PM
doesnt surprise me re the size of horses for the period
Title: Re: Small mediaeval horses
Post by: gavindbm on Jan 11, 2022, 06:14 PM
Perhaps some Wargames figure manufacturers will take note - some do seem to like producing large horses!
Title: Re: Small mediaeval horses
Post by: Imperial Dave on Jan 11, 2022, 07:30 PM
I would never have guessed that the Norman period produced such comparatively small horses