Horse

A horse is a semi-domesticated mammal used during pre-history as a source of transport and labour. If needed it can also provide milk, meat and leather.

Farriers, saddlers, leather-workers (reins, stirrups etc.) and riders work with horses. They are useful for knights to ride (it enables them to out-run the peasants easier). The catch is that, since the horse can carry their weight, the knights tend to wear heavier armour, and then they (the horses) being vulnerable to good missile fire, they (the knights) tend to find out why heavy clunky armour doesn't go well with fighting on rough terrain, against lightly-armoured, and therefore more manoeuvrable, opponents.

Comes in two flavours: stallion and filly. There is also an 'off cut' of stallion called gelding. Don't ask (if you have to) you won't want to go there!

In terms of the medieval life, there were war horses, "ambling" horses (which, in England, became known as "hackneys" (after the village and marshes east of London where a breeding line was established), "working" horses (i.e. agricultural proto-tractors), and carrying horses which were the medieval equivalent of the commercial van.

See also:

• Equestrian activities

Horses in the SCA

Some SCA members are authorised for equestrian activities, but due to the difficulty in maintaining and transporting horses, they are rarely seen at events.

Horses cannot register names or devices, nor can they become members.

Horses in Re-Enactment

Horses are used in re-enactment in a number of capacities. Most commonly they are used as cavalry units on the battlefield such as re-enactments of the Battle of Hastings, Battle of Bannockburn and various 17th century battlefields such as Marston Moor, Edgehill and Naseby. In this capacity they tend to fight other cavalry units as horses can become dangerous to foot troops. They are also used in recreations of jousts.