Re: Was R3rd maligned?

["prplsky@erols.com" <prplsky@erols.com>]

Poster: "prplsky@erols.com" <prplsky@erols.com>

> >If Richard III had a "whithered arm", as William
> >Shakespeare claims, how could he fight on horseback?
> >Wouldn't he need one hand for the reins and another
> >for his sword? (snip)

 I don't think you are mistaken.  I did some riding as a girl, and I have
> seen people who could guide a horse with their knees even through Western
> stock saddles, notably my uncle and one of my cousins...much depends on
> training of the animal to notice subtle weight shifts and knee position and
> pressure changes. (much deleted)


It is entirely possible for someone to ride and fight using other aids 
besides a hand on the reins.  A carefully, and well trained horse can be 
given a great deal of different commands without ever touching the rein. 
I have myself, ridden and shown "bridleless" on several animals.  The 
difficulty would be using those other aides in armor.   The American 
Indians learned early how to fight, shoot bows and arrows, and various 
other methods with only their body shifts.  While there isn't a lot of 
info that I've found yet on how the knights and cavalry of that time 
trained their animals, (if anyone has good research sources let me know 
pleas), there is a lot of info concerning Classical Dressage, such as the 
Spanish Riding School teaches, that was based in the training of 
warhorses.

Kyarstin Pferdnarr
(Ok, so I get a little carried away with the horse stuff...:)  )


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