Breeds of War Horses
The horses that were used in war were different from those used for riding and pulling wagons. They had to be strong enough to carry their rider into battle, but at the same time they also had to be able to move quickly. There are many different types of horses that were bred specifically for war.
Arabian
Cleveland Bay
Danish Warmblood
Dales Pony
Dutch Warmblood
Breeds of War Horses
The horses bred for war can be split into two main groups: the heavy war horse and the light war horse. These breeds were both used extensively in medieval warfare, but they had very different roles to play on the battlefield.
The Heavy War Horse
The heavy war horse was a large animal with powerful muscles, capable of carrying a man and his armour into battle. The primary role of this type of horse was as a charger – an animal that would be ridden by an armoured knight into battle and then used as a weapon against enemy soldiers by charging at them full pelt.
These chargers were usually bred from the following breeds:
Irish Hobby Horse – This breed originated in Ireland, where it lived wild until the 17th century when it was finally tamed by local farmers. Its main use was for breeding purposes but it also became popular as a riding horse due to its gentle temperament and friendly nature. The Irish Hobby Horse is known for its intelligence and willingness to learn quickly, making it an ideal choice for training as a war horse.
Barbary Horse – Also known as the North African Barb, this breed originated in North Africa where it was used by nomadic tribesmen for transportation across deserts or mountains
Horses have been used for war for thousands of years. They are today still used in many countries for cavalry and horse-mounted infantry.
The most common breeds of war horses were the Andalusian, Arabian, Barb, Belgian, Clydesdale and Shire.
Horse breeds are divided into two groups: light and heavy. The light breeds are generally more agile and faster than the heavy breeds, while the heavy breeds are stronger and more durable.
In general, warhorses were larger than the average riding horse. While they were not as large as draft horses or ponies, they were bred to be strong enough to carry the weight of a rider in full armor. Most warhorses were also bred for speed so that they could keep up with their riders on long marches through rough terrain. For this reason, many of them had very fine bones and usually stood between 15 and 16 hands high (64-72 inches).
The following list includes some of the most popular breeds used as warhorses throughout history:
Arabian breed: Arabian horses have been prized for centuries for their speed, endurance, intelligence and beauty. They were originally bred in Arabia but later spread throughout Europe and Asia during the Middle Ages when Arab traders carried them along trade routes from Spain to China. Today there are several different strains of Arabians including Egyptian Arabians (also known as desert Arabs), Anglo-Arabians (bred in England since the late 1700s) and American Arabians (bred in America since the 1890s).
The different types of war horses and their corresponding uses have been recorded throughout history. The breeds are numerous, but the most common are:
The Arabian Horse
The Arabian is one of the oldest breeds known to man, dating back more than 3,000 years. They were bred by the Bedouin people who lived in what is now Saudi Arabia. They are known for their speed and endurance and were used as light cavalry mounts in battles where mobility was key. These days, they are still popular with riders who enjoy endurance sports such as endurance racing or show jumping