[Helge B.]

I once read somewhere that there were bardings made of articulated plates which also protected the horse legs. I never found any pictures or other sources though with more details.

Does anyone know if this armour really existed? I would consider this to impede the movement of the horse pretty much.

How else one could protect this vulnerable part of the horse?

[M. Eversberg II]

I've never heard of that, nor have I seen any examples.

As for protecting the horses legs, a skirting is all I've ever seen for that.

M.

[Daniel Staberg]

This is the most detailed reference to such armour which I've come across.

[Helge B.]

Daniel,

do yo have picture of that painting/sketch, which you can post?

[James Arlen Gillaspie]

Yes, a few such complete horse armours were made. Unfortunately, only a few odd parts have survived. The best known were made by Lorenz Helmschmid, the maker of the famous 'Sigismund gothic' armour in Vienna; I think the first was the one he made for Emperor Frederick III in 1477. It seems to have enclosed the underside of the girth and abdomen as well as the legs. Hmm, there's a piece of one in the Army Museum in Brussels, if I remember correctly, now where did I put that picture...

[M. Eversberg II]

Would explain why I've never seen them, then

M.

[Felix Kunze]

Hi Helge,
I found some pictures of the horse armor mentioned by D. Staberg. They are shown in an article of the `Zeitschrift fuer historische Waffen- und Kostuemkunde, 1962-63`. Unfortunately, only one part of this cuirass, which was worn by the horse of emperor Maximilian I on parade (it is mentioned by chroncles on several occasions), may have survived, but nothing of the belly or leg pieces.
The armor was made and delivered in 1480 by Lorenz Helmschmidt and is said to have been the first of it´s kind, so there may also exist later examples.
There are three exististing contemporary illustrations, here are two of them:

[Peter Bosman]

It is not simple to protect the horses' legs. Even nowadays protection on the lower legs is a mixed blessing that is better avoided if not absolutely necessary.
Steel protection on the legs will hamper the horse and the weight will SEVERELY deminish athletic performance.

It would prevent a horse from a decent galop and also tire a horse going faster than a leisure pace out in yards rather tan miles

Since roman times there was an effective countermeasure against cavalry known: guaranteed instantly cripling 'crows feet' (calthorpe?). Those are four nails sticking out from a common centre so there will always be one nail pointing upwards when strewn around.
I have no idea how common their use was nor wether they were common over the centuries and it may haven been one off those things 'not done' within the ritualised european feudal warring.

So: in jousts it was very bad form to aim at the horse and in war it would not make a lot of sense. I guess it was a parade outfit only.

peter

[William Knight]

I'm reluctant to say things are for parade only just because they seem extravagant an impractical to us, particularly since I don't know of any modern efforts to reproduce such armor and thus evaluate it. As to the ritual nature of medieval warfare, this had all fallen by the wayside by the latter 15th century, so I doubt that enters into the use of caltrops or targeting horses in general.

There are the surviving equine cuisses in Brussels, of course.

Also the Triumph of Maximilian woodcut series shows several horses with the upper portion of their front legs armoured.

-Wilhelm

[Kenneth Scott]

How much fighting would a King or Emperor actually do anyways? If you figure its not going to be galloping into the enemy, might be a nice insurance policy if you just trotting around telling people what to do.

[James Arlen Gillaspie]

At the battle of Regensburg (September, 1504) , Emperor Maximilian I attacked a wagonburg and was dragged off his horse by enemy pole arms. He was saved by the commander of his heavy cavalry. I expect his excellent armour had much to do with his survival as well.

[Scott Eschenbrenner]

As expensive as horses are, and were, I still do not think it would have been that practical to completely armour them. As Peter points out, it would have severely hampered their mobility. An armored rider, saddle, and partial barding would have slowed a horse down enough as it is, and tired it more quickly. On campaign you might have to switch horses if one gets killed or dies of disease, so it would be impractical to have an armour fitted exactly for one specific horse.

I often see reference to the common formula that a horse can carry about 25% of its weight. I'm sure that varies with the breed, its conditioning, and exactly how much speed and endurance you expect it to maintain while carrying that weight. For most breeds you're already getting close to that limit with the rider and his armour plus the war saddle and limited barding.

That leads me to think that horse leg armour would be strictly for parades.

[Peter Bosman]

[Jean Thibodeau]

Barding of the legs might be something one might see on a parade armour or just for the the same reasons that some very impractical combinations weapons were made as exercises in technical weapon design wizardry: Toys for the very rich and powerful.

As Peter has said the weight would slow down and tire a horse quickly.

As far as armour coverage: Barding protecting the head and body of the horse but leaving only the legs exposed should be the most amount of armour that would be useful. The legs are also a small target in rapid motion and would be hard to hit on purpose when the horse is charging.

A sweeping lateral cut with a long bladed polearm/bill would have more chance of making contact than trusts with pikes or missile fire ( musket ball or arrows ).

Barding in the form of plates or lesser horse armour based on maille or maille and small plates would also be a problem for the horse in hot weather I would imagine ? Heat stroke maybe ?

Just guessing here but would Knight/Gendarmes use an un-barded riding horse ( Maybe war trained but more agile than a charger ?) for general combats and manoeuvre and keep a fully armoured horse rested and fresh and use it only for a heavy charge or when charging seemed imminent ? Assuming that the logistics of this would be practical on a battlefield ?

I assume that the management of spare horses with different qualities and training/equipment on the battlefield would be an art in itself: At least the very rich elite might have numerous horses available to them depending on what was needed at a specific time and as replacements for wounded or tired horses. ( This might vary greatly by period, region and tactical systems ).

[Dan Howard]

There definitely does exist plate armour that is shaped and articulated to fit the horse's upper and lower legs. IMO this was never meant to be worn in battle but was to demonstrate the skill of the armourer. Don't forget that each craftsman was required to produce a masterpiece to complete his training. This could be one such example. I'll try and find pictures.

[Russ Thomas]

Hello folks,

An interesting and quite unusual thread !

Dan, you say that there "definitely does exist plate armour that is shaped and articulated to fit the horse's upper and lower legs", where please? I only know of the Brussels items, OTTOMH, and have never actually seen a picture of these , other than the drawing in C.J.Ffoulkes' 1912 book ' The Armourer and his Craft '. ( If anybody knows of actual photographs of these pieces I would love to see them too please !).
While I agree with you about them probably only being worn for parade use, for what my opinion is worth , and the requirement for making an item of each piece of armour , prior to being declared a master, is well documented; (see M. Pfaffenbichlers 'Armourers' book ), I have not heard of this requirement extending to horse armour as well ? Now here is an interesting topic for some in depth research !
Besides Lorenz Helmschmeid , Kunz Lochner is also know to have made these bards. There are a few shown on coins and medals if I recall correctly, lending weight to the theory that they were mostly for parade use. They would certainly have stretched the abilities and inventiveness of even the finest armourers; Greaves are probalbly the most difficult item to make, imagine having to make four of pairs of them !

Thanks for an interesting topic

Regards,

Russ

[Scott Eschenbrenner]

[Lafayette C Curtis]

[Peter Bosman]

[Peter Bosman]