In fact, in Germany the word spanjol became the term for quality war horses. 'Spanish' horses, whatever their breeding, were the most expensive. It is also possible that other sources of oriental bloodstock came from what was called the Nisaean breed (possibly akin to the Turkoman horse) from Iran and Anatolia, another type of oriental horse brought back from the Crusades. The origins of the medieval war horse are obscure, although it is believed they had some Barb and Arabian blood through the Spanish Jennet, a forerunner to the modern Friesian and Andalusian horse. The Spanish also retained many quality horses, in part due to the historic reputation of the region as a horse-breeding land, and partially due to the cultural influences related to the Islamic conquest of the Iberian peninsula between the 8th and 15th centuries.

However, there were exceptions in the 7th century a Merovingian kingdom still retained at least one active Roman horse-breeding centre. In the west, this may have been due in part to the reliance of the British and Scandinavians on infantry-based warfare, where horses were only used for riding and pursuit. From The Battle of San Romano by Paolo Uccello.ĭuring the Decline of the Roman Empire and the Early Middle Ages, much of the quality breeding stock developed during the classical period was lost due to uncontrolled breeding and had to be built up again over the following centuries. This 15th-century battle scene shows the powerfully-built horses used in warfare. In particular, improved designs for the solid-treed saddle as well as the arrival of the stirrup, horseshoe and horse collar were significant advances in medieval society.Ĭonsequently, the assumptions and theories developed by historians are not definitive, and debate still rages on many issues, such as the breeding or size of the horse, and a number of sources must be consulted in order to understand the breadth of the subject. Significant technological advances in equestrian equipment, often introduced from other cultures, allowed for significant changes in both warfare and agriculture. Words such as ' courser' and 'charger' are used interchangeably (even within one document), and where one epic may speak disparagingly of a rouncey, another praises its skill and swiftness. Another difficulty arising during any study of medieval documents or literature is the flexibility of the medieval languages, where several words can be used for one thing (or, conversely, several objects are referred to by one word).

Reference is also given to their place of origin, such as 'Spanish horses,' but whether this referred to one breed or several is unknown. This led them to be described, for example, as ' chargers' (war horses), ' palfreys' (riding horses), cart horses or packhorses. Horses in the Middle Ages were rarely differentiated by breed, but rather by use. While an understanding of modern horse breeds and equestrianism is vital for any analysis of the medieval horse, researchers also need to consider documentary (both written and pictorial) and archaeological evidence. They were also more central to society than their modern counterparts, being essential for war, agriculture, and transport.Ĭonsequently, specific types of horse developed, many of which have no modern equivalent.

Horses in the Middle Ages differed in size, build and breed from the modern horse, and were, on average, smaller. This 15th-century depiction of Charlemagne and Pope Adrian I shows a well-bred medieval horse with arched neck, refined head and elegant gait.

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