Horses have traditionally accompanied troops and warriors onto the battlefield and are still utilized in some limited armed scenarios. The types of horses used have ranged from swift, nimble breeds that could strike with lightning speed to the forerunners of draft horses that could drag fully armored knights into combat. Even though the war horse’s contribution is sometimes overlooked, they merit recognition in the annals of history.
Below are 11 war horse breeds, some of which are no longer in existence and others which are still in use today, despite the fact that horses are no longer used on the battlefield nearly as frequently as they once were.
First Friesian
The Destrier, frequently regarded as the ideal battle horse, descends from the Friesian. The Destrier is no longer in use, but the Friesian is now a well-liked dressage and riding horse.
The northern Netherlands’ Friesland region is where the breed first appeared. It was introduced to England by Roman explorers, and when it was used to transport knights to battle in the Middle Ages, it rose to popularity. After the Middle Ages, the breed’s popularity quickly declined, and it is thought that there were once only two individuals left. They were fortunately caught and bred back because they were a male and a female.
2. Spanish
The Andalusian horse breed has a long history of popularity, and thanks to its regal appearance and graceful demeanor, it continues to be as well-liked today as it was in the 16th century when it was used to transport kings and nobility into combat.
The Andalusian horse, which is Spanish in origin and claims the Iberian horse as its parent, was favored by royalty, notably French king Louis XIV and English king Henry VIII. This breed was used as cavalry horses by both the French and English armies. Because of their exquisite appearances, they are now employed for dressage and eventing and frequently appear in movies and television shows.
Arabian 3.
The Arabian horse appears frail, but it is shockingly robust and lightning fast. They were originally employed as coursers in Ancient Egypt and have been around for thousands of years. It gained a following throughout Greece, Rome, and the rest of Europe. They were applied during the Muslim conquest, and the Ottoman Empire helped them proliferate.
They have long been used to breed speed and agility into larger horse types, and for those seeking a breed with both stamina and agility, they are regarded as one of the best modern breeds.
Fourth Percheron
The robust Percheron was developed in Northwestern France, where it was depicted leading knights into combat. It was used in the French heavy cavalry during the Late Middle Ages, but afterward they gained popularity for tasks like pulling coaches and agricultural work.
They are now widely used in the US as draft horses, and they are even mixed with thoroughbreds to produce police horses and hunting horses.
Marwari 5.
The Indian cavalry has relied on Marwari horses since the Early Middle Ages. Because of their bravery and incredible agility, the ruler of the Marwar region amassed a herd of 50,000 Marwari cavalry horses in the 16th century.
Although they are combined with bigger thoroughbred horses to produce polo and dressage horses, the breed is now rare. They are also utilized in performances and religious rituals.
6. Shire
The Shire is a huge breed that, because of its skill on the battlefield, was sometimes referred to as the English Great Horse. By forbidding the breeding of Shires that were lower than 15hh tall, King Henry VIII succeeded in breeding Shires that were taller and more powerful. He used them extensively in his cavalry. The resultant mount could easily support the heavy burden of a knight wearing full armor.
The Shire is still used for pulling and hard lifting in modern times, as well as for occasional exhibitions and riding.
Horse from Mongolia
For thousands of years, the Mongolian Horse has served as a well-liked and very effective battle horse in Mongolia. Genghis Khan and his troops used it particularly well and with tremendous success. It excelled as a courser, which meant that it was swift, nimble, and capable of launching strikes quickly and largely silently.
With several million of them still alive today, it is still a very popular breed. It is retained for its milk, used for transportation, and is still raced and used for riding.
Thessalian 8.
Thessalian horses were native to Greece’s Thessaly region and stood about 15 hh, which is considered shockingly low given their historical stature. The breed’s most notable historical association is with Alexander the Great’s famed horse, Bucephalus. The horse was held in such high esteem that Alexander created Bucephala in its place after it died.
Even though it was commonly believed that the breed had vanished, a few Thessalians have been found, albeit they are incredibly rare and challenging to find.
Nine. Destrier
The Destrier was the first breed of draft horse used today. It was big and robust, able to carry a knight into combat fully armored and loaded while yet being able to assault the foe. The breed was courageous and capable of ignoring the sound of armor slamming and the haze of battle. Because they were inherently more aggressive, destrier battle horses were typically stallions, though this varied by nation and rider.
In its original form, the Destrier does not exist now.
Palfrey 10.
Even though they were more frequently utilized as a mode of transportation than as battle horses, palfreys were nonetheless ridden by knights during the Middle Ages. They provided a smoother and more comfortable ride over long distances and were smaller than Destriers. They might be just as expensive as the well regarded Destrier war horse while not being employed in battle as frequently.
The Destrier, Palfrey, and Courser horses were technically types of horses rather than breeds in the modern sense of the word. If a courser were a strike horse, a destrier would be a long-distance transport, and a palfrey would be a war horse.
ten. Courser
The courser was small, lightweight, and incredibly agile. For quick strikes, they were favored to heavier cavalry horses and were deployed as a highly mobile force. These horses were frequently used for specific missions and fast attacks and were ridden without armor.
Breeds of War Horse
Horses have long held a special place in people’s hearts, and in addition to being used for riding, racing, and eventing, they have also been employed in a variety of other occupations such as transport and agriculture. Even though the majority of the breeds were used on the battlefield hundreds or thousands of years ago, war horses are still utilized today in terrain where tanks and other vehicles cannot be used, as well as in some third-world nations.
Credit for Featured Image: Pixabay
