Re: War horses (was RE: How Mil Specs Live Forever)

[William Morris <william.morris@sc.edu>]

Poster: William Morris <william.morris@sc.edu>

>I would beg of you tell us how you come by this assertion. In all honesty,
>it sounds much like the urban myth that people were also much smaller in
>period. There are many varieties of horse, and those chosen as war horses by
>the Europeans were, to the best of my knowledge, mostly draught horses of
>the Clydesdale, Percheron and Shire variety. These are the three largest
>breeds that I know of, the Shire being by far the largest (I have a friend
>whose family raises them, and a colt of theirs measured eleven hands at
>birth). Also, I have seen in the Tower of London the armour of Henry VIII
>mounted upon a replica of his warhorse which was also wearing full armour,
>and as I recall, this animal was huge.
>
>I will give this disclaimer; I am no expert on horses in period or out, and
>I only write out of curiosity. Also to help dispel the myth, if myth it is
>indeed.
>
>In service,
>Corun


If I understand the previous postings properly (say that 10 times....), 
the two horses in question were not of european breed.  The original 
story stated that the distance was for two horses on a roman chariot.

Not that I claim to know anything about the story, or horses, but I 
wanted to clarify the times and locations in question.

Lord Liam a'Welwyn, Seneschal
Canton of Cyddlain Downs
william.morris@sc.edu
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