Posts: 704
Mon 19 Mar, 2012 10:23 am
RE: Size of Middle Ages Horses
Based on horse armour and shoes, you are probably looking at a 14-14.5 HH horse during the Norman period, as big as 14.5-15 during the Later Middles ages.
Look at one of the most prized warhorses of this time - the Andalusian (Willima the Conqueror was purported to have ridden one of these) - 14-15 Hands, about 1100 pounds.
It is believed that the later Lipzzaners were simialr to late middle ages wrahorses, 14-14 Hands in height but a bit more stockly than the Andalusian, maybe 1200-1300 pounds.
Both the above breeds are considered "baroque" horses, which are of the group that were the warhorse of the middle ages. Even the mighty "Destrier" as likley no more than 15 hands and 1200-1300, being distinguished from other horses not a smuch because of size, but because of training and temprament.
Quote: |
The Baroque horse is a term used to generally describe the type of agile but strong-bodied descendants of horses in the Middle Ages such as the destrier. Specific ancestors of this type include the Neapolitan horse, and the Iberian horse of Barb ancestry known in the Middle Ages as the Spanish Jennet. They are characterized by powerful hindquarters, a muscular, arched neck, a straight or slightly convex profile, and usually a full, thick mane and tail. These horses are particularly well-suited for the haute ecole discipline of classical dressage [1]
The modern breeds included in this category include the Andalusian horse, Frederiksborger, Friesian, Ginetta, Kladruber, Knabstrupper (non-sport horse type), the Lipizzan, Lusitano, Menorquina, Murgese, and crossbreds such as the Warlander. Lipizzans are probably the best known of the Baroque type breeds due to their national showcase at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. |
European Warhorses were a mixture of Hot (Arabian, Barb, Akhal Teke, some ponies) and Cold blood, considered "warm bloods". They were bred for agility and speed as well as strength. The plodding middle ages Percheron was not at all like the Draft horse you see today, it's size coming from being bred the past for hundered years for draught.
Actually, there were probably not even any of the large drafts you see around today back then.