tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19833734.post1459746198837688039..comments2024-02-22T19:21:40.330-05:00Comments on Muhlberger's World History: Re-enacting medieval cavalry -- Henrik Olsgaard reportsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19833734.post-48082807806937661322009-04-05T10:13:00.000-04:002009-04-05T10:13:00.000-04:00Regarding Rod's comment about bits: it's true that...Regarding Rod's comment about bits: it's true that the main use of the curb bit is to be able to exert pressure with minimal strength/hand movement, but that also makes it true that a curb with a long shank could break a horse's jaw. Medieval sources, such as Dom Duarte, as well as historians such as Oakeshott, discuss the difficulty of controlling an unruly horse in the field, Olsgarde's point, and that the spurs and bit existed for just such a purpose. John Clark in "The Medieval Horse and its Equipment" says that the large number of snaffle bits in medieval excavations stem from the fact that they were the bit primarilly used in hauling. Indeed, when you see a mounted knight in an artwork, he is nearly always using a curb bit (or perhaps a pelham). Also, jousting in a straight line is a far different animal than fighting in a mellee, which is essentially like a polo games (in which curb or gag bits are almost exclusively used).M.A. Cramer/Valgardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12724728879607388455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19833734.post-43802702727343964692009-03-23T18:37:00.000-04:002009-03-23T18:37:00.000-04:00I am going to have to disagree that the medieval b...I am going to have to disagree that the medieval bits with 12inch shanks and medieval spurs are meant to be harsh and used to overpower/hurt a horse.<BR/><BR/>It has been shown with a re-constructed Norman bit that whilst it looks severe to modern eyes and it serves a very specific purpose, and this is to be effective when used with small hand movements such as those that have to used when a large shield is hanging/strapped on the left side.<BR/>Have another look at some surviving curb bits and you will see that what looks like spikes etc in the horses mouth are actually keys and rollers, just like on modern bits.<BR/>There are plenty of modern equestrian disciplines that use what look like harsh bits.<BR/>I have horses trained for the joust and mounted combat that will charge right over a shield wall. We ride them in snaffle bits. It comes down to training. A knight needed a well tyrained horse that would obey his commands. Having a vicious bit does not help this.<BR/>There are plenty of surviving bits that are just like modern snaffle bits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19833734.post-48063557008962661332008-07-13T23:35:00.000-04:002008-07-13T23:35:00.000-04:00Meant to add to that last comment (and don't see a...Meant to add to that last comment (and don't see a way to edit it while awaiting approval) that the typical training and exposure to such things that the horses are getting at such an event as the Battle of Hastings is minimal - at least my friends that have been and ridden have expressed that. Even the ACW horses are likely minimal exposed compared to what was have historically occurred. Horses were used everyday in both time periods. Similar to that, when I am gearing up to a do a jousting tournament or show, I try to ride at least three times a week, generating similar situations as much as is possible. Also keep in mind that doing some of the early forms of tournaments, where it was a melee on horseback with often 40-50 riders in an area each trying to dislodge crests was to not only keep the knights well trained, but get the horses used to such stupid things as men do on them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19833734.post-76437293131677295092008-07-13T23:30:00.000-04:002008-07-13T23:30:00.000-04:00I agree with so much that is said here, but the on...I agree with so much that is said here, but the one thing that I think that is under stated here is the training that goes into the horses. I personally joust with horses and have trained three for it and at least worked with the fourth. Now think about it for a second, herd animals means that it is the absolute opposite desire of horses to run at one another - when one horse sees a horse going one way they are naturally inclined to both head that way. All but one of the horses trained to go at the other horse do so willingly and generally without even so much as leg pressure when they get in the lane - knowing full will there will likely be a loud concussion in the midst of that may very will rock the saddle slightly unbalance the load. Yet three of four get so keyed up and ready about going, it is hard to hold them in check. The fourth, well, once he starts he is the same way, but as the day goes on, he gets more reluctant about actually getting into the position to proceed. That is, though much more because he what we would call very herd bound and it does seem to unnerve him a bit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19833734.post-44210073219330294952008-07-07T17:03:00.000-04:002008-07-07T17:03:00.000-04:00This is very interesting, especially the pair that...This is very interesting, especially the pair that "cartwheeled." I was at an American Civil War invitation-only reenactment this past September when a horse-drawn ambulance, proceeding at a fast trot, lost one of its lynch pins and had one of its wheels spin off. The horse, perturbed by the ambulance, got into "flight" mode and the ambulance crew bailed out of the dragging vehicle at a speed they estimated as about 20 mph, rolling like shot rabbits across the hillside. They were mostly battered and shaken but not seriously injured. The horse was eventually stopped and turned around by some mounted officers. Again, the interesting thing to me was to discover just how much of the "accident" would never have been obvious to someone who only read, rather than experienced, the historical record. Vast difference between a journal entry "our ambulance lost a wheel" and the very dramatic, readily understandable event itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com